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Gippsland Fires: Weather Critical For Bogong

Fire planners are keeping a close watch on wind speed

By DSE/CFA - 17th February 2003 - Back to News

Work has begun on backburning operations from the Yalmy Road containment line in far east Gippsland. Residents in the Bendoc, Delegate River, Bonang, Goongerah, Deddick Valley and Dellicknora areas are warned that there will be more smoke than usual around for some time as attempts are made to secure this eastern containment line and protect communities.

The weather will be critical to the outcome of this operation, which it is hoped, will work towards the containment of the massive Bogong Complex fire which still burns in the Gippsland region and into New South Wales.

Fire planners are keeping a close watch on wind speed and direction in particular and all efforts will be focused on ensuring that local communities are assisted in every way to stay informed on the progress of the backburns and of potential effects on their property.

Fire crews from the Department of Primary Industries and from the CFA are on standby at all times as the burns take place.

Crews are within eight kilometres of linking the western boundary of the fire between the Hogtown sector and the Crooked river sector, 20kms north west of Dargo. This is another vital link in strengthening the southern containment line of the fire and protecting communities to the south.

The Dargo Incident Management Team, currently headed by US Fire Manager Scott Vaile, are now responsible for the extended western edge of the fire, from Mount Sarah to Rileys Creek, just south of the ridge of the Great Dividing Range.

Anyone living, working or travelling in Gippsland who has concerns or questions about the fires should contact the Gippsland Community Fire Information Line: 1800 668 066

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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