Fires Dying DownIncident Control Centres are operating at Swifts Creek, Orbost and Dargo for the Bogong South Complex By Gippsland Fire Informaton - 21st 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 backburn from Mount Birregun to Mount Sarah is now complete and contained. This is a huge achievement for fire crews who have been working in difficult, rugged conditions in the country north of Dargo.
North of Mount Sarah, the terrain is also inhospitable and remote, so crews are gearing up to attack that from the Surveyors Creek base camp, north east of Licola.
Aerial incendiary work was done yesterday in the Rileys Track area, which burned out a lot of fuel and has alleviated the threat there.
Swifts Creek Incident Control Fires
The Hotham, Omeo and Benambra division fires are now officially under control. The Tambo division remains controlled and the Tongio West division is still classified as going.
There was low level fire activity overnight and patrolling and blacking out work continues.
In the Swifts Creek controlled area, maps on community notice boards will now be updated every four days. Please call the Community Information Unit on 51 595143 if you require further information.
Orbost Incident Control Fires
The containment line on the eastern side of the fire is nearly complete, with backburns going well overnight. Work is still to be done on the Yalmy road, a critical flank.
Backburning around Tubbut and Cabanandra is also nearly finished. The burning will then progress down the Yalmy Road from the top along Minchins Track.
There will still be a lot of smoke around as backburns continue to protect communities here.
Weather
A fine but cloudy day with the possibility of patchy rain later tonight. Moderate winds tending easterly and temperatures in the mid twenties.
School and bus services
The Dargo Primary School will resume on Monday February 24. Tubbut Primary School will then be the only school in the Gippsland region yet to resume.
Buses servicing Omeo Primary School, Swifts Creek Primary School and Swifts Creek Secondary College WILL RECOMMENCE on Monday February 24. This decision has been made in consultation with the Swifts Creek Incident Control Centre.
The Bruthen Phelan (Riveria Tours) Bus has resumed its normal run now that the Great Alpine Road is open. The Mount Taylor McCoy bus will also resume its normal run from Monday February 24.
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.
The roadblock is in place for safety reasons as there are still smouldering trees, stock on the road and contractors working on the road. Anyone travelling through the area must proceed with caution, turn on their lights if conditions are smoky and reduce speed.
VicRoads staff are currently carrying out safety checks on this road.
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, but roads and tracks off that road are still closed
- 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
Community meetings will be held at the following places over the coming week:
- Thursday February 20: Swifts Creek Fire Shed, 6.00pm
- Friday February 21: Walhalla Mechanics Institute, 6.30pm
- Monday February 24: Willow Grove Community Hall (for Willow Grove and Westbury communities), 7.30pm
- 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
Injured Wildlife
The bushfires will have a dramatic impact on local wildlife. Wildlife not killed outright will suffer burns, smoke inhalation and eye injuries. Those animals not injured may find it difficult to find shelter and food.
Many of these animals will have sought refuges from the fires and may find their way into your garden or in the vicinity of your property. Please spare the time to search around your property for animals sitting on the ground or perched low in a tree.
You can help surviving wildlife by leaving out fresh water in a safe place, away from cats and dogs.
If you find an animal that you think has been a victim of the fires contact WILDLIFE VICTORIA RESCUE – 0500 540 000 or 0428 540 000 or HELP FOR WILDLIFE, which is a 24 hour Wildlife Emergency Service, on 0417 380 687. Please do not deliver injured wildlife to any DPI offices!
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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