Department of Primary Industries:
Gippsland Region Fires

Community Update – January 13 2003

By GICC - 14th January 2003 - Back to News

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This newsletter from the Gippsland Incident Control Centre at Traralgon is to inform the local community and visitors to the region about the area’s fires and the control measures being used to battle the blazes.

The Fires

An Incident Management Team has been set up in the Department of Primary Industries office in Swifts Creek to maintain the fire fighting effort at the "Razorback" fire, 40 kms north of Omeo.

This fire has burnt through more than 4500 hectares in steep, rugged country in the area.

Status of the Fires

All fires in the Gippsland region, except the Razorback fire, are now contained. Control lines are being constructed on the south eastern sides of this fire in preparation for backburning operations in the next 24 hours.

Fighting the Fires

About 65 firefighters from the Department of Sustainability and Environment, Department of Primary Industries and Parks Victoria are now mopping up after the fires in other parts of the region.

At the Razorback fire, 120 firefighters from the Departments and Parks Victoria are currently working on control lines and preparing for backburning operations.

There are also nine bulldozers and four firebombing aircraft supporting the firefighters.

Monitoring the Fire

There is considerable smoke visible and settling in valley areas. This is being caused by the existing fire and at this time presents no immediate threat to private property or the community. The fire is being very closely monitored and if there are any changes these will be immediately communicated.

The Weather

The next few days are expected to continue warm and dry.

Where to from here?

All efforts are currently being put into preventing the spread of fire from public land into private property. The safety and well being of the community and firefighters is a major consideration in the fire fighting efforts.

How will it affect you?

The Department is working with the Country Fire Authority (CFA), who are supporting the effort with additional tankers for contingency purposes and establishing processes to keep the communities of Omeo and Benambra informed of the fire situation.

Road closures in the area:

• Bogong High Plains Road from Falls Creek to Omeo.
• Alpine Way between Khancoban and Jindabyne.
• Elliot Way, Cabramurra Road.
• Benambra Road between Uplands and Colac Colac.
• Omeo Highway between Mitta Mitta and Omeo.
• Thowgla Road to Thowgla Upper.
• Snowy Mountains Highway in NSW.
• Benambra Limestone Road.
• The High Plains area is a Public Exclusion Zone, and includes Pretty Valley, Jim, Mount Cope and Mount Bundara.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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