Gippsland › Latest news › Department of Primary IndustriesOvernight Operations Shut DownIncident Control Centres are operating at Swifts Creek, Orbost and Heyfield for the Bogong South Complex The Bogong Complex (south) FiresOvernight operations at all Incident Control Centres have been shut down and day time operations are scaling down as the fire activity decreases. Helicopter mounted "Forward Looking Infra-red Radar" cameras have been utilised in the past few days to identify and locate hot spots along the entire fire perimeter. Crews are now working on these hot spots. Heyfield Incident Control Fires Some hotspots were detected over the weekend close to the control line, which are being worked on now. Other work is concentrating closely on rehabilitation, particularly on fire control lines and soil erosion. Swifts Creek Incident Control Fires The Incident Management Team is scaling right back to local crews only today. There is still some fire showing up after two hot days and crews are patrolling these areas, which are some distance in from control lines. Information is now being gathered for rehabilitation works associated with the fire suppression. Orbost Incident Control Fires The far east of the region did not receive as much rain as expected over the weekend, with falls generally between five and 15 mm and none since 0900 yesterday. The fire is still active and backburning operations are planned to contain the remaining affected areas in the far eastern most sectors of the fire. Fire teams are concentrating on planning and consolidation work over the coming week. Rehabilitation and track protection work is also a priority. Weather Warm and humid with light north easterly winds, seabreezes increasing during the afternoon. School and bus services The Dargo Primary School will resume today, 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 today, 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 today, 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. Road news:
The following roads and tracks are closed due to backburning operations along the Yalmy 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. 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:
Sessions will be held in:
For details please call DPI Bairnsdale on 51 520600 Gippsland Fire Recovery Wild Dog meetings DPI/DSE staff and local representatives from the Gippsland Wild Dog Management Committee will be conducting community meetings at the following locations: Wednesday February 26: Swifts Creek Community Hall at 10.00am, Omeo Business Centre at 1.00pm and Benambra Hall at 3.00pm. Thursday February 27: Buchan Caves reserve Guide Room at 10.00am and Gelantipy Hall at 1.00pm. Friday February 28: Tubbut Hall at 1.00pm. These meetings will inform the communities about the current control program and address the issues surrounding the management of wild dogs in fire affected areas. Baits will be available under normal application processes. Community Fire meetings will be held at the following places over the coming weeks:
The Gippsland Community Fire Information Line is: 1800 668 066 Please note: this number is now operating between 9.00am and 5.00pm, from Monday to Friday. This number will give you information on every aspect of the fire situation in Gippsland, your bushfire preparation and planning, recovery and rehabilitation issues 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. Ministerial Taskforce The State Government has formed a Ministerial Bushfire Recovery Taskforce to help the fire-affected areas of Victoria. The seven-member Taskforce, headed by Treasurer John Brumby has been in place for about three weeks and in that time has visited and talked with several affected communities. Up to $200,000 has already been provided to East Gippsland, Indigo, Towong and Alpine Shires to help with immediate bushfire recovery efforts. The Taskforce has also set up the 2003 Bushfire Recovery Appeal Fund (1800 890 390) for anyone wanting to donate money to those in need, and a Bushfire Recovery Volunteer Register (1800 287 400) for people interested in becoming volunteers. Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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