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Update On Bogong Complex Fires 1600 Hrs 19/01/03

The mass of fires burning in the Alpine country of north east Victoria, now known as the ‘Bogong Complex’, continues to expand under the influence of southerly winds.

By DSE/CFA - 20th January 2003 - Back to News

The mass of fires burning in the Alpine country of north east Victoria, now known as the ‘Bogong Complex’, continues to expand under the influence of southerly winds. The communities in the Mitta Mitta Valley area have been warned to implement their bushfire action plans and prepare for the fire as it spreads northwards.

The fires have burned through 45000ha of forest and where spots or outbreaks are close to communities, CFA and DSE/DPI teams are patrolling these areas constantly to keep the threat away from private property.

While DSE/DPI and CFA crews work valiantly to try and control these fires, they are being given tremendous support in the fire fighting effort from local landholders.

In the Cobungra and Hotham Heights area, landholders have been helping on extensive works to establish fire breaks, assisting crews in every way they can.

In Swifts Creek, community members were quick to volunteer to help Department of Primary Industries staff to establish a phone tree to assist with communications for the Tongio-Bindi community.

"This work is vital in any effort to control these fires and to ensure that everyone is kept informed," Incident Controller, Ben Rankin said.

"We are receiving tremendous support from all the communities in the affected areas and are very grateful for their assistance in this difficult situation."

The southern sectors of the Bogong Complex of fires are being managed by the Swifts Creek Incident Management Team (IMT). The northern sectors are being managed by a new IMT based at Mount Beauty.

Intense fire behaviour is expected to continue and residents in high risk communities are warned to enact their fire plans, make the decision about whether to leave in plenty of time or to stay and defend their property. CFA teams are patrolling and protecting these areas, but residents must take responsibility for their own protection and make informed choices about whether to stay or leave early.

For more local information, please contact the Swifts Creek DPI office on 51 595143

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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