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Gippsland Fires: Containment Line Draws Near Completion

Incident Control Centres operating at Swifts Creek, Orbost and Dargo

By DSE/CFA - 18th 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

The linking of the Crooked River/Hogtown containment line is expected to be completed today.

A helicopter is currently doing reconnaissance work out of Dargo, with the aim of continuing incendiary work on the Crooked River/Hogtown link.

Patrol work is continuing on the Water Spur Track and the Rileys Creek Track.

Residents in the Heyfield/Licola areas may notice increased activity on the roads and in the air as the Departments and the CFA set up a strategic base camp at Surveyors Creek, north east of Licola. This is to enable more effective deployment of crews to the fires in the Rileys Creek area, 50kms north of Licola.

These fires are part of the Bogong North Complex fire, which is causing some concern on their western sector, so Gippsland crews will be assisting here. The Erickson Aircrane and a medium helicopter are currently at the Snowy Range airstrip to support the proposed operations if smoke allows.

Swifts Creek Incident Control Fires

The main focus of today is to complete works in the Livingstone, Mount Stawell and Mount Delusion sectors before predicted warmer conditions later in the week.

This work consists mainly of control line development, burning out and constructing fallback lines. All are progressing well.

A helicopter is working out of Swifts Creek on reconnaissance work, assessing the potential for general incendiary work. Three fixed wing firebombers are working out of Benambra supporting backburning operations around Mount Delusion.

Orbost Incident Control Fires

Predicted weather conditions will be ideal for backburning operations today. Most of the work will be in the Deddick Valley and Tubbut areas and at the top end of the Yalmy Road. The Incident Controller is confident of getting some good work done.

A helicopter is carrying out incendiary operations, supported by three fixed wing fire bombers working out of Delegate.

Weather

A fine, mostly sunny day. Light south westerly winds tending north westerly at higher elevations and becoming more variable. Relative humidity expected to drop in Alpine areas during the afternoon.

School closures and bus services

Tubbut and Dargo Primary Schools are the only two schools in the Gippsland region yet to resume. These schools will not resume until further notice.

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 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.

Refuge Areas

Omeo and Benambra residents - Omeo Oval.

Swifts Creek and Cassilis residents - Swifts Creek Secondary College.

Ensay residents - Ensay 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 and 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.

Centrelink help

Centrelink staff will be available at Benambra, Omeo and Swifts Creek on Thursday February 20 to explain Commonwealth financial options and services available to farmers and other people affected by the bushfires in East Gippsland.

All local residents are welcome to drop in and talk to Centrelink staff, including people who are not existing Centrelink customers.

Information will be provided on:

  • Assistance for farmers
  • Centrelink payments available to assist people affected by bushfires
  • Updating income details for Parenting Payment and Family Tax Benefit customers
  • Other financial assistance that may be available
  • What to do if you have lost your income
  • Social Work Services

Times and locations:

Swifts Creek: 9.30am – 10.30am, Community Centre, Main Street.

Omeo: 11.00am – 1.00pm, East Gippsland Shire offices, Day Avenue.

Benambra: 1.30pm – 3.30pm, Neighbourhood House.

Community meetings will be held at the following places over the coming week:

  • Tuesday February 18: Stratford Mechanics Institute Hall, 7.30pm
  • Tuesday February 18: Wy Yung Football Club, Bairnsdale, 2.00pm AND 7.00pm
  • Wednesday February 19: Simpsons Creek at Pam Beveridge’s house, 7.00pm
  • Wednesday February 19: Ensay Fire Shed, 6.00pm
  • Thursday February 20: Swifts Creek Fire Shed, 6.00pm
  • Friday February 21: Walhalla Mechanics Institute, 6.30pm
  • Tuesday February 25: Erica Hall, 7.00pm

The Gippsland Community Fire Information Line is: 1800 668 066

Please note: this number is now operating between 8.00am and 8.00pm seven days a week

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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