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Update On Razorback-Bogong Fire 0700 Hrs 19/01/03

The complex of fires burning in Victoria’s Alpine country continued to expand overnight under the influence of southerly winds.

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

The complex of fires burning in Victoria’s Alpine country continued to expand overnight under the influence of southerly winds.

Crews of firefighters from the Government departments, the CFA and private contractors are working hard to reduce the threat to communities at Mount Hotham, Dinner Plain and Benambra areas, ahead of expected unfavourable weather conditions tomorrow.

Day crew numbers will be increased today to protect private assets in areas at risk. Successful backburning and dozer work has protected property in the Mitta River and Gibbo Junction areas and spot fires have also been contained here and in Porphyry Hill.

In the north, severe fire behaviour was experienced near Harkers Creek Track and spot fires started north of the track. These fires are now burning on both sides of the Omeo Highway south of Granite Flat.

Plans for today are to complete the construction and patrol of control lines and to backburn to establish control and contain the spread of the fires. Property protection works will continue at Mitta Mitta and Dartmouth, with control of these operations moving to Mount Beauty Incident Management Team (IMT).

The Swifts Creek IMT will manage all southern sectors of the Feathertop, Bogong and Razorback fires, now known as the Bogong Complex, where asset protection and firebreak work will continue. There will be 11 CFA strike teams, 20 bulldozers and 140 DSE and DPI crew on line today.

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

For further information on parks and forests, contact Parks Victoria 131 963.For information about public road closures and threats to private property please call the Victoria Police Information Line on 1 800 444 343.This information is provided by the Department of Sustainability and Environment (incorporating the Department of Primary Industries and Parks Victoria) in partnership with the Country Fire Authority to protect our rural land in Victoria. More information is available on the DSE website: www.nre.vic.gov.au and on the CFA website: www.cfa.vic.gov.au .

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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