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Gippsland Fires: Razor Track Fires Causing Difficulties

Fires on the Bogong North Complex fire in the Razor Track area are currently causing difficulties

By Gippsland Fire Information - 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 has been completed. Work is now concentrated on blacking out.

There are only two kilometres to go to complete the backburn on Rileys Track and work is going well there.

Residents in the Heyfield/Licola areas may notice increased activity on the roads and in the air as DPI/DSE/PV crews set up a strategic base camp at Surveyors Creek, north east of Licola.

Fires on the Bogong North Complex fire in the Razor Track area are currently causing difficulties. Gippsland crews are supporting the Ovens IMT on these fires where possible, working from the Surveyors Creek camp.

Swifts Creek Incident Control Fires

Incident controller Ben Rankin said that work in the last few days has been positive and productive. All backburning and control lines have held, particularly in the Mount

Stawell and Butchers Creek areas and at Mount Delusion. All burns here have been completed and work is now concentratated on filling in.

Orbost Incident Control Fires

Incident Controller Dennis Matthews said that work is going well around the Cabanandara and Tubbut Valley areas. Good work has been done around the Wilmott Pines and The Farm areas.

Construction of the Yalmy Road containment line continues – the Roger sector is due for completion today.

There will still be a lot of smoke around as backburns continue to protect communities here.

Weather

Another fine day with light southerly winds tending northerly later and picking up speed.

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 is a manned roadblock 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 roadblock.

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.

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 news:

  • The Great Alpine Road from Bruthen to Dinner Plain is now open!! 
  • Benambra-Corryong road, from Stacey’s Bridge to Omeo - closed
  • Benambra-Limestone Road/Limestone-Black Mountain Road from Benambra to Suggan Buggan - closed
  • Bogong High Plains Road is now open between Mount Beauty and the Omeo Highway, but there is no access to the Omeo Highway, which remains closed from Omeo to Mitta Mitta. 
  • Dargo High Plains Road between Dargo and Mt Hotham - closed
  • Gelantipy Road, from Buchan to Wulgulmerang - closed
  • Snowy River Road from Wulgulmerang to NSW - closed
  • McKillops Road from Wulgulmerang to Bonang - closed
  • Cabanandra Road - closed
  • Dellicknora Road - closed

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.

Fire Recovery Information Sessions

Farmers affected by fire are invited to a 2 hour On-farm information session to address key issues that will influence farm recovery from the fires.

These sessions are being conducted jointly by the Department of Primary Industries and the VFF.

Topics include:

  • Feeding livestock
  • A farmer’s experience in recovery after fire
  • Pasture recovery from the fire

Sessions will be held in:

Omeo/Swifts Creek area on Monday March 3, 10.00am till 12.00pm

Omeo Valley/Benambra on Monday March 3, 2.00pm till 4.00pm

Wulgulmerang on Tuesday March 4, 10.00am till 12.00pm

For details please call DPI Bairnsdale on 51 520600

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:

  • 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.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com



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