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Gippsland Region Fires

Community Update – January 14 2003

By GICC - 14th January 2003 - Back to News

This newsletter from the Gippsland Incident Coordination Centre at Traralgon is to inform the local community and visitors to Gippsland about going fires and the control measures being used.

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 5000 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. Crews are currently working on containment lines and precautionary fall back lines for this fire and are planning backburning operations when the weather is more favourable.

Fighting the Fires

There are now 126 firefighters from the Departments of Sustainability and Environment and Primary Industries, Parks Victoria and the CFA working on the Razorback fire.

There are also nine bulldozers, 26 tankers and slip on units and four firebombers supporting the firefighters.

There are 76 Department crew currently resting, with another 25 on standby across Gippsland, ready to deploy as needed.

Monitoring the Fire

Smoke caused by unstable weather conditions has reduced visibility for aircraft attack on the fire. Strategies will be finalised as soon as firefighters can get a clearer view of the fire. There is 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

Weather conditions are unstable at present, with smoke causing poor visibility, but forecast mild conditions should aid firefighters in their suppression efforts.

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 organising community meetings to keep the communities of Omeo and Benambra informed of the fire situation.

There will be Public Information meetings held at the Benambra Hotel at 4.00pm today and at the Omeo Hall at 7.30pm today. Community members are encouraged to attend and find out more about the fire and how it may affect them.

For up to date information about road closures in the area, please call the Hotline number: 1800 444 343.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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