Community Information Newsletter number 15
Far East Gippsland Fires
East Gippsland Fire Danger Rating: HIGH
Everyone should stay aware of their local weather conditions and have a bushfire survival plan ready. Existing fires are still being controlled and conditions could change quickly.
Wednesday 12th February 2014
CURRENT FIRE INFORMATION
The fires in Far East Gippsland between the Snowy River and the NSW border have burnt around 130,600+ hectares.
Fire Name | Status | Size (ha) | Perimeter (km) |
Goongerah- Deddick Trail | Going | 80,045 | 263 |
Buchan-Jacksons Crossing Track | Going | 29,208 | 152 |
Goongerah-Mt Jersey | Going | 12,114 | 108 |
Club Terrace-Goolengook River | Going | 7886 | 86 |
Goongerah-Joys Creek | Going | 1,000 | 19 |
Goongerah-B A Creek | Going | 259 | 7 |
Orbost-Coulsons Rd | Going | 254 | 11 |
Combienbar-Errinundra River | Going | 143 | 7 |
Combienbar-Misery Spur | Going | 115 | 6 |
Chandlers Creek-Wonnot Creek | Going | 22 | 3 |
*Going can also be defined as Not Yet Under Control
While the cooler and calmer weather conditions have significantly slowed the fire spread, there remains some active fire areas both on the edge of and within the perimeters.
Following the dramatic spread of several fires under extreme weather conditions experienced on Sunday, initial asset loss assessments have been done and will continue in the affected areas. Any confirmed losses will be reported once these detailed assessments have been completed by specialist crews in coming days.
The focus remains on fire fighter and community safety, therefore the roads in the affected fire areas will remain closed until such time as it is considered safe. Falling trees remain a hazard in these areas.
The Relief Centre at the Delegate Country Club remains open. Base camps at Newmerella, Gelantipy and Delegate have been established to accommodate firefighters and support personnel.
GENERAL INFORMATION
While conditions have eased, fire danger ratings remain High with warm temperatures and no rain forecast until later in the week. An overall control strategy is continually being developed and will see some back burning operations conducted in coming days while conditions are favourable. This strategy is designed to reduce the unburnt fuels between the fire edge and the outer strategic control lines to limit the chance of uncontrolled fire runs.
If people remain in a fire prone area they should be adequately prepared and continue to monitor their environment. It is important for the community to have access to more than one source of fire information.
ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION
The Bonang Road is closed due to fire damage and debris across the road. Recovery work is currently being done so it can be re-opened as it is deemed safe.
Dellicknora Road is closed between McKillops Road, Bonang and Bonang, Road Bonang.
The Gap Road is closed at Bendoc to Dowling Road, Bonang.
McKillops Bridge Road from Wulgulmerang East to Armstrong Track, Deddick Valley is closed to all but firefighting vehicles.
Snowy River National Park east of the Snowy River including the Yalmy Road and other roads and tracks are closed due to fire activity within the park. Drivers are advised to avoid travel to the area.
ONLY emergency service vehicles are allowed to drive past or around “Road Closed” signs. They are put there for public safety and to reduce traffic in a dangerous area.
Smoke from the fires could affect roads at any time. Drive carefully, slow down and turn your headlights on. There will be many firefighting vehicles and heavy machinery using main and local roads in and near fire-affected areas. Please slow down and take extra care on our roads.
Updated information on road closures is available via 13 11 70 or the VicRoads website
www.vicroads.vic.gov.au
SCHOOL CLOSURES
The Tubbut Primary School, Goongerah Primary School and Goongerah Early Childhood Centre are closed until further notice due to road closures.
PARK CLOSURES
• Errinundra National Park
• Lind National Park
• Snowy River National Park
• Alpine National Park below Willis to McKillops Information about park and forest closures, including forest roads and tracks can be found at: http://www.depi.vic.gov.au/forestry-and-landuse/visiting-parks-and-forests/closures-of-parksand-forests/
STAY INFORMED
For current fire information and general fire safety advice, please contact the Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) on freecall 1800 240 667.
Callers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment can contact VBIL via the National Relay Service on 1800 555 677.
Check for the latest warnings and advice messages at either www.depi.vic.gov.au/fires or www.cfa.vic.gov.au
Facebook (facebook.com/cfavic) or Twitter (Twitter @ CFA_Updates)
Local ABC Radio: 828 AM 97.1 FM 104.9 FM 106.1 FM
TRFM Commercial Radio: 99.9 FM
Gold 1242: 1242 AM
HEALTH INFORMATION
Smoke will be present across most parts of East Gippsland for some time dependent on wind direction.
For information on how smoke from bushfires can affect your health, and emergency assistance availability, visit the Department of Human
Services website: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/environment/bushfires-smoke.htm
Nurse-on-Call on 1300 60 60 24 (this is a phone service that allows you to discuss any health related issue with a registered nurse, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the cost of a local call from anywhere in Victoria).
Red Cross Registration via www.redcross.org.au or 1800 727 077
For more information about the Far East Gippsland fires:
Orbost Incident Control Centre on (03) 5161 1318
Author: Martha Johnson