Community Update – 1100 hrs Thursday January 23/1/03Informing the local community and visitors to Gippsland and the control measures being used in Gippsland By Gippsland Fire Information - 23rd 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 and the North-East about going fires and the control measures being used in Gippsland. Incident Control Centres are operating at Swifts Creek for the Bogong East Complex and Bendoc for the Bowens track fire.
The Fires
Cooler weather and light winds are persisting in the high country, making conditions easier for firefighters at present, but hot weather is predicted for the next few days.
The Bogong Complex, taking in the Feathertop, Bogong, and Razorback fires burning in mountain country north of Omeo, has now burned at least 140,000ha.
The southern firefront now stretches roughly from Harrietville to Benambra, with efforts concentrating on private property protection in areas such as Hotham Heights, Dinner Plain, Anglers Rest, Shannonvale and property north of Benambra.
The Bowens Track fire south of Tubbut has burned approximately 1200 ha and is still going. Spotovers have occurred into private property and DSE/DPI, Parks Victoria and CFA crews are working hard to protect those properties. They are currently being assisted by the contingent of expert firefighters from New Zealand.
Fighting the Fires
Crews from DSE/DPI, Parks Victoria and CFA worked side by side with locals in the Glen Valley yesterday and last night and succesfully protected private property in the area.
Today’s top priority is to make sure Omeo is well protected in the lead-up to the weekend, when high temperatures are expected to make fire conditions worse.
Residents throughout the region are reminded that while everything possible will be done to protect them, it will be impossible to have a fire crew protecting every property under threat as resources will be stretched to the limit.
Monitoring the Fire
Thick smoke is still making tracking the fire extremely difficult, with visibility minimal.
Fire behaviour with the mild conditions at present has slowed down, but all efforts are focused on preparation for worsening weather conditions.
The Weather
Cool and mild conditions today may give firefighters some respite, but the forecast is for hotter temperatures over the next two days, with extreme fire conditions forecast for the weekend.
Where to from here?
Community Information meetings will be held today in Benambra at 12.30 at the Football Oval and in Swifts Creek at 5.00pm at the Community Hall.
Information meetings will also be held in Dargo at the Dargo Hotel at 2.00pm today and in Bruthen at The Gardens at 5.30pm tomorrow.
These meetings will provide the opportunity for residents to hear the latest news from the Incident Control Centre as well as ask questions and have input into the fire control effort.
Community noticeboards are displaying information at: Omeo Hall, Omeo Fire Station, Omeo Staging Area, Benambra Fire Station, Blue Duck Hotel, Swifts Creek General Store, Ensay Store, Ensay Little River Inn, Cassilis Winery.
How will it affect you?
Residents in high risk communities are reminded to enact their fire plans now to protect themselves and their properties. Make the decision about whether to leave, or to stay and defend your property in plenty of time.
The more decisions you make now about what to take and what to leave behind, the quicker you will be able to move if the time comes to do so.
For residents in the Omeo and Benambra areas, the Omeo Oval is your designated refuge area. For residents in the Swifts Creek, Cassilis and Ensay areas, Swifts Creek Secondary College is your designated refuge area.
If you leave your home or town you are requested to inform the Australian Red Cross staff at your local refuge area, who are keeping track of all movements during the fires for safety reasons.
If you have already registered but you then change your plans it is important to inform the Red Cross. Also, if you leave your vehicle at a staging area they should be informed.
Residents in affected areas are reminded to be on the lookout for falling embers and take all measures to extinguish them as soon as they land.
Omeo Hospital staff have decided that in the interests of patient comfort, patients will be moved to Orbost and Bairnsdale hospitals. This will allow staff to concentrate on defending their own homes and be available to provide normal services at the hospital.
DSE and CFA fire crews have been grateful to receive tremendous assistance from local people in dealing with this fire situation. Retailers, publicans, contractors and refuellers have been putting in long hard hours to assist with the fire fighting effort and the support of everyone involved. This is greatly appreciated by all concerned.
Road closures:
- Omeo Highway between Omeo and Mitta Mitta
- Great Alpine Road north of Omeo
- Benambra-Corryong road, between Omeo and Corryong
- Benambra Road between Uplands and Colac Colac
- Benambra-Suggan Buggan Road (Limestone-Black Mountain Road)
- Bogong High Plains Road between Falls Creek and Omeo Highway.
- Dargo High Plains Road between Dargo & Mt Hotham
- Lower Dargo Roads
- No public access to Bogong High Plains, Bogong Village, Mount Hotham Village and Falls Creek.
Safety Messages
Weather dictates fire behaviour, so observe changes in wind speed or direction.
Use common sense and keep watch over the weather and smoke conditions in your area.
Being vigilant and aware will increase your personal and property safety.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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