Update on Gippsland fires, 1100hrs 14/01/03No communities are immediately threatened by this fire By DSE - 14th January 2003 - Back to News There are currently 126 firefighters from the Departments of Sustainability and Environment, Primary Industries, Parks Victoria and the Country Fire Authority working on the Razorback fire, 26 kms north west of Benambra in Victoria’s High Country. The crews are working on fall back lines and planning to backburn when the weather is appropriate and they can get a clearer picture of the fire.
At present, weather conditions have caused a significant smoke problem, which is impacting in visibility. Firefighters need to have a clearer view before a strategy can be finalised for attacking the fire.
Fire Manager, David Tainsh said that no communities are immediately threatened by this fire and there have been no property losses.
"Work on containment and precautionary fall back lines will continue while we wait for weather conditions to improve so we can get aircraft onto this fire," Mr Tainsh said.
"We have nine bulldozers well advanced in the preparation of control lines which will form the basis for future backburns."
"Conditions are more favourable today for fire behaviour, but the smoky conditions mean that we have to wait to finalise tactics from the air."
The CFA have organised Community Information meetings to be held today at the Benambra Hotel at 4.00pm and at the Omeo hall at 7.30pm. Community members are encouraged to attend these meetings to find out more information about the fire in their area.
For further information on the fire situation, please contact:
Victorian Police Advice line on 1800 444 343
Parks Victoria Information Centre on 131 963
CFA Information line on 131 599
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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