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Community Information Newsletter no 3Latrobe Valley Open Cut Mine Fires
February 18 2014 1630hrs
By Russell Northe - 19th February 2014 - Back to News The Firefighting Effort
Fire agencies and mine personnel are working around
the clock on fire suppression activities at both mines.
Safety of firefighters and community members is
the most important consideration in this incident.
It is a complex fire situation that will go on for
some weeks. As these types of fires often take a
long time to put out, there will be increased
smoke for some time which will affect people in
different ways.
The emergency services are focused on
extinguishing the fires and Department of Health
and EPA will work together to monitor the smoke
and provide information to the community.
Hazelwood Open Cut Mine Fire
The fire fight at Hazelwood open cut involves over
200 fire fighters, 100 mine staff, 30 incident
management team personnel, and nine medical
monitoring personnel. They are supported by
numerous tankers, heavy pumping vehicles, other
vehicles including eight large aerial ladder
vehicles and aircraft.
Dependent on weather, fire fighting tactics will
include helicopter water bombing to reduce the
heat on the coalface and support suppression
activities. Unmanned spray systems are in place
to reduce the use of fire fighters on the coal face.
Light winds are expected in coming days but will
peak at around 20 to 25 km/h on Thursday.
While there has been some improvement in air
quality today, there will continue to be smoke
haze in the valley for some time.
Yallourn Open Cut Mine Fire
Fire suppression activities will be increased in
Yallourn to continue to extinguish spot fires
throughout the disused section of the mine.
This may include helicopter water bombing,
dependent on the weather conditions.
Air Quality and Health
Air quality is being monitored by EPA, emergency
services and Hazmat technicians. Both fine
particles and carbon monoxide are being
measured as indicators of the impacts of smoke
on local air quality.
The levels of smoke in and around the Valley are
highly variable, depending on the weather
conditions. Impacts can be most severe in the
Morwell area when there are light south-westerly
winds or no winds to disperse smoke.
Monitoring will continue over coming weeks to
minimise any risks to communities or firefighters.
How smoke affects you depends on your age,
pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma or
heart disease, and the length of time you are
exposed.
Children, the elderly, smokers and people with
pre-existing illnesses such as heart or lung
conditions (including asthma) are more sensitive
to the effects of breathing in fine particles. Signs
of smoke irritation include itchy eyes, sore throat,
runny nose and coughing. Symptoms may
worsen and include wheezing, chest tightness
and difficulty breathing.
It is very important that people with pre-existing
health conditions take their medication, follow
their treatment plan, and seek immediate medical
advice if symptoms occur or call NURSE-ONCALL
on 1300 60 60 24.
Roads
While the recent fire has caused damage to
vegetation, signs and safety barriers along the
Princes Freeway at Morwell, VicRoads advise
there has been no damage to the surface of the
road.
Works to remove vegetation and repair signs and
safety barriers will continue in the coming weeks.
While these works are being undertaken, some
lane closures and reduced speed limits will be
required for the safety of drivers and workers.
Information on updated road closures is available
via 13 11 70 or the VicRoads website:
http://traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au/
Community Information Newsletter no 3
Latrobe Valley Open Cut Mine Fires
February 18 2014 1630hrs
Victoria Police
Victoria Police and Crime Stoppers urge the
community to report any suspicious behaviour by
calling Triple Zero (000) or Crime Stoppers
confidentially on 1800 333 000.
Livestock
If you have any concerns about the health of your
livestock, consult a vet or the Department of
Environment and Primary Industries Customer
Service Centre on 136 186.
Private Water Tanks
General advice from the Department of Health is
that if your tank water supply tastes, looks or
smells unusual do not use it for drinking, bathing
or for pets.
Contact your local council Environmental Health
Officer or the Department of Health for additional
advice.
Support
Nurse-on-Call on 1300 60 60 24 (this is a phone
service that allows you to discuss any health
related issue with a registered nurse, 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week for the cost of a local call from
anywhere in Victoria).
The Department of Human Services offer a range
of support services including personal, emotional,
psychological and financial help. For information
go to http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au
EPA Victoria
More information on the impacts of smoke on
local air quality contact EPA Victoria on
1300 372 842 (24 hours) or visit:
www.epa.vic.gov.au
Department of Health
More information on the health effects of smoke,
or on the use of water from rainwater tanks
contact 1300 761 874 (during business hours) or
go to:
www.health.vic.gov.au/environment/bushfires.htm
Asthma Foundation
For further information about asthma go to the
Asthma Foundation of Victoria website at:
www.asthma.org.au or call 1800 278 462.
Local Government
Latrobe City Council can be contacted on 1300
367 700 or go to:
http://www.latrobe.vic.gov.au/Home
Stay Informed
For information on fires in Victoria and general fire
safety advice, please contact the Victorian
Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) on Freecall 1800
240 667. (Callers who are deaf, hard of hearing,
or have a speech/communication impairment can
call via 1800 555 677.)
Other valuable information sources include:
ABC Local Radio, Commercial and designated
community radio stations, the FireReady app and
the VicEmergency website:
www.emergency.vic.gov.au
Social Media
Facebook (facebook.com/cfavic)
Twitter (Twitter @ CFA_Updates)
Community Information also available at
the following locations:
On Wednesday February 19:
Morwell Neighbourhood House at 3.00pm
On Thursday February 20:
Traralgon shopping centre from 9.00am till
10.00am
Cowwarr General Store from 12.00pm till 1.00pm
Toongabbie Mechanics Institute at 5.30pm
Churchill Fire Station at 6.00pm
Glengarry Community Hall at 7.30pm
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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