Gippsland Fires: Little Fire Activity Allows For Consolidation Fire Map as at February 16 A good night for firefighters in the Dargo area has seen more consolidation of containment lines By Gippsland Fire Information - 17th February 2003 - Back to News Tune in to the following radio stations for updates on the situation:
ABC Gippsland on 100.7FM, 106.7FM or 720AM
3HCR on 97.3FM
3TR on 99.9FM
3REGFM on 90.7 or 105.5FM
Cooma 2XL on 92.1FM
ABC Bega on 810AM
Radio NSW on 100.9FM
The Bogong Complex (south) Fires
Dargo Incident Control Fires
A good night for firefighters in the Dargo area has seen more consolidation of containment lines and community protection.
The main area of concern is in the headwaters of the Humffray River, well north of Dargo, where a breakout from the main fire of the Bogong North complex has the potential to undermine much of the work done on the western containment line. This fire is the highest priority today outside asset protection work.
Swifts Creek Incident Control Fires
There was little fire activity overnight, providing the opportunity for good work on consolidation. Work today will continue on consolidation of containment lines, blacking out and patrolling. Backburning will continue along the southern and eastern control lines when weather permits.
Swifts Creek area residents please note there has been a change in the reporting procedure for fire calls.
To report information related to the current fire, please contact the Swifts Creek Incident Control Centre on 5159 5100. For all NEW fires call 5159 4260.
Orbost Incident Control Fires
CFA Strike Teams at Bendoc, Gelantipy and Buchan are scaling down today, leaving one team in Bendoc and two in the Buchan/Gelantipy area. A ready reserve is stationed at Orbost in case the weather should turn for the worse.
Patrolling and mopping up continues at the WB Line fire and at the Mount Ellery fire, which is now contained.
Further work to reinforce the Yalmy Road as a control line to the south of the main fire continues, with completion expected next week.
Weather
Cloudy across the state, with patchy rain, humid conditions and light northerly winds predicted. There is a slight chance of afternoon or evening thunderstorms in the far east around Gelantipy and into NSW.
School closures
Swifts Creek, Tubbut and Dargo Primary Schools will not resume until at least tomorrow, Monday February 17.
It is important for parents to note that buses servicing Omeo Primary School, Swifts Creek Primary School, Swifts Creek Secondary College and Tubbut Primary School WILL NOT RECOMMENCE until further notice. This is being reviewed in consultation with the Municipal Emergency Coordination Centre (MECC).
The Buchan Primary School Bus will recommence tomorrow, Monday February 17.
The Bruthen Phelan (Riveria Tours) Bus will commence its run in Bruthen until the Alpine Way is reopened to the public.
The Mount Taylor McCoy bus will still begin its run at the old Mt Taylor School until further notice.
All of these arrangements will be subject to daily review.
All schools in the Wellington and East Gippsland Shires are receiving daily updates from the CFA on the status of the fires and advice for school communities.
Road transport
There are manned roadblocks north of Bruthen and north of Buchan on the Gelantipy Road, with a permit system for stock and fodder transport beyond these points.
People will need to contact 1800 668 066 to make an application to transport livestock or fodder through the roadblocks.
Entry will only be allowed if the load and the conditions are suitable. Any loads of fodder must be covered with a tarpaulin to reduce the risk of embers igniting the load.
Moving Stock
The calf sales at Bairnsdale tomorrow, Monday February 17, mean that there will be many trucks on the road transporting stock, particularly between Omeo/Benambra and Bairnsdale. Motorists in these areas, please be aware and on the look out for trucks.
Refuge Areas
Omeo and Benambra residents - Omeo Oval.
Swifts Creek and Cassilis residents - Swifts Creek Secondary College.
Ensay residents - Ensay Hall or Bruthen Hall.
Buchan residents - Buchan Recreation Reserve.
Other Emergency Refuge Centres are: Tubbut Hall, Bonang Hall, Delegate River Tavern, Karoondah Park, Gelantipy.
Bombala High School and Delegate Primary School are refuge and registration sites for the movement of people in the area. The Dargo Hall is a registration and refuge area only at times of high risk.
Please take care on roads in areas where the fire has burned through. With many fences down, stock may be wandering on the roadsides, creating a hazard for vehicles. The Omeo, Benambra, Suggan Buggan and Wulgulmerang areas in particular are where stock are loose.
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.
Road closures:
- The Great Alpine Road from Bruthen to Dinner Plain is closed to all vehicles
- Omeo Highway between Omeo and Mitta Mitta
- Benambra-Corryong road, from Stacey’s Bridge to Omeo.
- Benambra-Limestone Road/Limestone-Black Mountain Road from Benambra to Suggan Buggan
- Bogong High Plains Road between Mount Beauty and Omeo Highway.
- Dargo High Plains Road between Dargo & Mt Hotham
- Gelantipy Road, from Buchan to Wulgulmerang
- Snowy River Road from Wulgulmerang to NSW
- McKillops Road from Wulgulmerang to Bonang
- Cabanandra Road
- Dellicknora Road
Motorists are warned not to drive through roadblocks, even if the fire has passed and it appears to be safe. Smouldering trees could fall across the road well after the fire has been through.
Safety Messages
While every effort is being made to keep people informed about the fire situation, it may not be possible to provide official warning before a fire approaches private property.
Use common sense and keep watch over the weather and fire conditions in your area. On days of high fire risk, stay alert and be prepared that a fire may approach without official warning from DSE/CFA.
Residents must be self-reliant and be prepared for the event of fire on their property. Neither the CFA nor the DSE can guarantee a fire truck and crew will be there to protect individual homes.
The first step in being prepared is to develop your own Bushfire Survival Plan. Contact 1800 668 066 or your local CFA for more information.
Stay tuned at home and in your car to local stations (ABC Regional Radio on 100.7 FM, 106.7FM or 720 on AM band, 3HCR on 97.3, 3TR on 99.9FM, 3REGFM on 90.7FM, Cooma 2XL on 92.1FM, ABC Bega on 810AM) and keep listening for fire location information, spread of fires and weather conditions to monitor your local situation so you have an up to date snapshot of what is happening.
Be prepared for power and phone lines to fail – have a battery operated radio and/or CDMA phone on hand.
Radiant heat affects people well before the actual flames reach them. Have protective clothing ready in case you need to be outside protecting your home. Wear natural fibres, no synthetics: long sleeves, long pants, wide brimmed hat, sturdy boots and gloves and eye protection.
Look after your health. You may be under the threat of fire for a prolonged time. Make sure you eat and drink regularly and plan to rest as often as you can.
Residents planning to leave should get organised in advance. Plan what you would like to take ahead of time. Plan where you are going to go and let others know of your plans.
TELEPHONE HELP
Telstra Country Wide is offering free call diversion for people affected by the bushfires. This allows you to divert calls from your home to another phone. Call 1300 134 239.
Community meetings will be held at the following places over the coming week:
The Gippsland Community Fire Information Line is: 1800 668 066
This number will give you information on every aspect of the fire situation in Gippsland, your bushfire preparation and planning and further contacts that you might need. It is also to report stock losses and get help to treat injured stock from DPI Animal health staff.
Please note: this number is for information only, not for reporting fires.
Call 000 or your local fire station to report any new fires.
Family & Personal Counselling support (based in Bairnsdale) can also be accessed through our fire information line, 1800 668 066
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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