Fire hero called 'traffic casualty'

If the State Government can walk away from the death of a CFA volunteer, it is time for all volunteer emergency personnel to call it a day.

The Sunday Age reports:

FAMILY and friends of Don Dosser, who died while trying to help mates defend their homes from a bushfire, are outraged by a decision to officially record his death as a traffic accident.

Mr Dosser, 48, was fighting a bushfire from a trailer being towed by a ute on a property at Seaton, when he fell and was run over on the night of December 14.

But Mr Dosser's death has been officially registered as a traffic accident and compensation to cover his funeral costs will be paid by the Traffic Accident Commission.

This Parks Victoria decision was first reported by Philip Maguire who is advised there will be no Coronial Inquest into this death on the fireground.

Don Dosser, and all his fellow CFA/SES volunteers, turn out to bushfires for free. They lose their wages whilst fighting the fires.

The government employed DSE firefighters, on the other hand, are paid to be on the fireground and earn over $1,500 per week doing it and are protected by Workcover.

Don Dosser wasn't!

That's why his death is being put down to a traffic fatality so that TAC can pick up the bill.

CFA and SES personnel must demand equal rights with the paid DSE personnel. That includes fireground wages as well as Workcover protection.

Without the emergency services volunteers, there is no agency in rural Victoria to protect your home and assets against fire.

DSE don't do structures - their job is trees!

Other related coverage

• Even a wee pony farewells big mate
• Hero's farewell for fire victim

The rise and fall of a dictator

Saddam Hussein combined a shrewd tactical mind with a taste for violence as he rose from humble beginnings to enjoy three decades of absolute power in Iraq.

But overarching ambition, which saw him invade neighbouring Iran and Kuwait and defy former US allies who accused him of developing nuclear and chemical weapons, destroyed Iraq's oil-rich economy and finally brought him down.

The Iraqi Government confirmed Saddam was executed by hanging at 2pm AEDT on Saturday, December 30.

Saddam, 69, rose from fatherless poverty in Tikrit to seize power in a 1968 coup with his pan-Arab Baath party.

He went from being the Baath's power-behind-the-throne to Iraq's presidency in 1979 and invaded Iran the following year, launching a war that lasted eight years and killed hundreds of thousands of people, scarring an entire generation.

His rule crumbled when US tanks swept into Baghdad in April of 2003.

Saddam, meaning "one who confronts" in Arabic, was captured in December of that year when American soldiers found him in a hole near his home town of Tikrit.

He had vowed to go down fighting, as his sons did months before, but gave up without firing a shot.

US forces said Saddam was disoriented when they found him in a pit covered with polystyrene and a rug, near a simple shack in an orange grove.

"I am the president of Iraq, and I want to negotiate," he told the soldiers who found him.

The hut where he had been staying consisted of one room with two beds and a fridge containing a can of lemonade, a packet of hot dogs and an opened box of Belgian chocolates.

Several new pairs of shoes lay in their boxes scattered around the floor.

Caught 'like a rat'

A US general said he was caught "like a rat" and many Arabs who had admired his defiance of the United States were shocked by his failure to fight back.

Iraqis who lived for years under the gaze of proud Saddam statues and posters saw humiliating images of him in custody, mouth held open by a probing medic, an unfamiliar beard streaked grey and dishevelled after months on the run.

Saddam was sentenced in November to hang for crimes against humanity for killing, torture and other crimes against 148 Shiites following a 1982 attempt on his life.

An appeals court upheld the ruling on Tuesday and he was hanged in Baghdad on Saturday.

In a letter written after his sentencing in November, he said: "I offer myself in sacrifice. If my soul goes down this path (of martyrdom), it will face God in serenity."

US President George W Bush hailed the death sentence as a milestone for democracy and US officials presented the trial as an Iraqi catharsis, but Iraq is gripped by sectarian and ethnic strife in which tens of thousands of people have died.

Ally turned enemy

Saddam became president in 1979 after using his skills as a street fighter and conspirator to get the Baath party into power.

Surrounding himself with relatives from his home town of Tikrit, he maintained an iron grip on Iraq despite bloody wars, uprisings, coup plots and assassination attempts.

His ruthless rule, during which his enemies say hundreds of thousands of people died, largely kept the lid on simmering tensions between Arabs and Kurds and between majority Shiite Muslims and the strongman's once-dominant fellow Sunnis.

Once an ally of the US, which aided him in his war against Shiite Islamist Iran, he was demonised by Western leaders after his army invaded Washington's ally Kuwait in 1990.

His description of the first Gulf War as the "mother of all battles" has entered the lexicon.

For some years US policy was to contain Saddam but after the September 11 attacks in 2001, Mr Bush chose Iraq as the next target in his "war on terror" after Afghanistan.

Having held on to power with much bloodshed when US-led forces did not follow through on their victory in the 1991 Gulf War, he was eventually toppled in a lightning three-week war.

Eight months on the run

Despite US efforts to take him out, Saddam eluded their grasp and spent eight months on the run, issuing occasional audio tapes taunting his pursuers and urging Iraqis to resist the forces of a man he had dubbed "the criminal little Bush".

Captured in December 2003, Saddam spent the last three years of his life in US custody, the spartan life in a US military cell a far cry from the extravagant luxury of palaces where the bathrooms were famously fitted with gold taps.

When his Dujail trial opened in October 2005 he appeared in a neat suit and was defiant from the start, insisting "I am the president of Iraq" and denouncing the US-backed court.

Playing to a televised gallery and for his place in history, he told the court in July in a typically bravura performance that as a military officer he deserved to be shot, not hanged.

In August 2006, Saddam's second trial started, on charges of war crimes including genocide against Iraqi Kurds.

It was not concluded by the time of his death and the charges lapse.

In his final days in a US-run prison, he called on Iraqis to stop fighting each other and instead focus on killing Americans, projecting the image of a father figure in a country formed by European colonial rulers from a patchwork of ethnic and religious communities.

As president, he appealed variously to Arab nationalism, Islam and Iraqi patriotism and would appear in the traditional clothes of an Iraqi peasant, military uniform or Western suits.

In court appearances he appeared tieless in a sober suit and clutching a Koran.

His lawyers and co-accused respectfully called him "Mr President".

During his Dujail trial he said: "Even if they put me in hellfire, God forgive me... I would say, 'Fine, for the sake of Iraq.'

"And I will not cry, for my heart is full of belief."

-Reuters

Mountain cattlemen postpone Annual Get-Together

The bushfires have forced us to postpone the Annual Get-Together from January to April.

The Get-Together was to have been held in the second week of January but will now be held on the weekend of April 20, 21 and 22.

The Get-Together has been held in January for decades but the current fire situation has made this impossible for 2007. We usually get 3,000 to 4,000 people attending these events and many of you make it part of your annual holidays. Although many will be disappointed, we hope to make it up to you April.

The intended location was Glenfalloch Station just south of Licola but this has been a major focus of recent fires.

It is really disappointing to have to postpone the Get-Together but the continuing fires and the damage that has already been done, have given us no choice but to postpone the event.

Even if the fires were put out today, the country is black and those who would be working on the Get Together are exhausted.

The April Get-Together will be held in Gippsland but decisions are yet to be made on the location.

Please pass this message out to people who you know might be attending.

Doug Treasure, 0427 456 353, 5145 6353. Tim Barker 9429 8455

Howard is fiddling as our great rivers start trickling

Border Mail Editorial published 29 Dec 06

IN the midst of prosperity, Australians are becoming fearful people, made so by gloomy happenings around about.

The war on terror and the blunder in Iraq have been causes of this.

But we are becoming more fearful about threats to our way of life posed by climate change, drought and water shortage, than we are about terrorism.

To most of us terrorism is something over the horizon, something to be a bit alert about but not too alarmed— whereas the environmental problems have lately alarmed us greatly.

They rouse an issue, dozing in the background of Australian consciousness — whether European civilisation, with increasing consumption of natural resources by increasing numbers of people, can survive in greedy me-first prosperity in this idiosyncratic continent.

Our concerns about climate, drought and water (plus the linked issue of energy consumption) are exacerbated because our governments, particularly our reactive Federal Government, do not have a grip on the problem and are playing catch-up, using the habitual tactic of throwing money at drought relief and environmental palliatives and calling it a policy.

Two things particularly have propelled the environment into the front-rank of problems — the UK’s Stern report on climate change and the drought.

Stern argues that strong action now can limit the worst of climate change to 1 per cent of annual world GDP, but if we continue to procrastinate, the costs will equal the loss of 5 per cent of GDP each year, with great suffering for hundreds of millions of people as the world warms.

The drought and its attendant scarcity of water have been creeping up for years, but the spectacle of failed crops, forced stock sales, emptying reservoirs, tightening water restrictions and consequent rural poverty have dramatised the problem lately.

Thus a recent poll showed that nine in 10 Australians think warming is serious, and almost two-thirds are unhappy with the Government’s response and would pay more in taxes and charges to fix it.

Our Prime Minister is not constitutionally and philosophically well equipped to take charge of this rapidly-moving situation.

He is an incantation man — he develops little homilies to deal with major issues, and he uses these to take the edge off probing questions and pressing problems.

On climate change he rejects international action through the Kyoto protocol because China, India and the US are not involved, he thinks of himself as a practical man preferring practical measures and he seeks to set aside action that might harm coal exports (and jobs).

He dislikes compulsion, and distrusts international action; he has his head somewhere in the sand, because these problems cannot be solved solely by action within national boundaries.

It has been evident for many years that the Murray-Darling rivers are under stress and that the main culprits are two — the increasing demands upon a finite amount of water, and the inability of our rickety federal system to deal fairly and objectively with the matter.

Now, apparently, we have reached a stage where if next year is as bad as this one, Hume and Dartmouth could be puddles and the Murray a trickle — how unthinkable!

Australians have reason to be fearful — they realise instinctively that these issues require decisive action, a clear vision, and reasonable compromises that will hold firm.

And they see few signs that such an outcome may be anywhere at hand.

King Valley stitched up by Telstra

Have you noticed the portable tower beside the Whitfield Fire Station. That is a mobile phone tower and was installed to service the Great Victorian Bike Ride allowing the riders to use their GSM or city based mobile phones. And then came the bushfires!

Upon establishing the Whitfield Staging Area for the fires, the GSM service was switched back on for the duration of the King Valley bushfires. When GSM users turned their phones on, up came the '2006 Bike Ride' cell location screen.

Back when we got the CDMA tower, we were told that a GSM service was not possible - even though we could get a signal without a tower at certain locations such as the Whitfield Football ground.

Yet we find they can do it for a commercial event (bike ride) or in an emergency (bushfires) - but not for the residents of the valley

Now, we are to get 3G or Next G to replace the CDMA service but it will be at a cost. You see, there will be no pre-paid service available and the minimum cost will be around $50 month - more if you want the extra services like broadband, etc.

New Gentle Annie Bridge prevents CFA tanker access

When the RCoW replaces Gentle Annie Bridge in the new year, the Whitfield CFA will lose a major water access point on the King River.

During the December bushfires, a DSE quick-fill trailer pump was located alongside the current bridge and was used continuously throughout the crisis. The easy access of Gentle Annie Bridge was utilised by tankers from all over Victoria fighting the Black Range fires.

Frequently, there were up to six tankers there at the same time. The new bridge is to be located on the very spot designated and signed as a CFA fill-up point.

CFA tankers need river access points as they did at Gentle Annie, Cheshunt and Hamilton Bridges. Consequently, anew fill up point must be established at Gentle Annie Bridge.

With the recent willow removal program, the area upstream is now replanted with native trees and is not accessible for tankers to draft their own water or to install a quick-fill trailer pump. Extensive reconstruction will be necessary to provide the required access for multiple tankers as was available in this bushfire emergency.

A more economical solution might be for the council to build a pump shed by the water with a hydrant point up near the road.

Water thieves must be stopped

The RCoW reports below that water tankers are running council supplied standpipes dry. But its not only tankers. Every morning before 7.00 am, 1000 litres of water is drawn from the Greta West standpipe by the same farmer and who knows how many others are taking more than their share.

Education is not the answer. It must be policed. The RCoW needs to install a permit system just as they have for collecting firewood which is an unlimited resource. With a flow of only 30 litres a minute, the Greta West bore is only capable of filling two tankers a day leaving local farmers high and dry.

---

Dec Council Meeting - Item 10.2.4.2 - DROUGHT RESPONSE – WATER POINTS

Background
During the 2002/03 drought, Council, with funding assistance from the State government built and upgraded standpipes and watering points, details of which are attached (refer attachment).

The Wangaratta Livestock Exchange and Apex Park are equipped with standpipes that provide access to treated potable water, at a fee of $1 per thousand litres using a ‘coin in the slot’ facility. The other standpipes and access points to streams have been made available for stock water only, and no fees are
charged by the Council.

The use of the water available through these standpipes and streams are for drought relief purposes; no other uses being allowed for.

Issues
It has been noticed and brought to Council’s attention that a number of concerns about usage of these emergency facilities are being expressed. Examples of these concerns include the use of drinking water (available at Apex Park and the Wangaratta Livestock Exchange) for watering lawns and gardens, large
commercial tankers taking many thousands of litres from stockwater standpipes (to the point where the bores cannot cope with the rate of extraction), and the use of stock water to replenish farm dams rather than stock troughs.

A number of the bores servicing stock standpipes have never produced much more than fairly marginal flows, particularly the bores at Greta West, Springhurst and Bowser. Because of this, these bores do need time to recover. For example, when the Greta West bore was being tested for flow characteristics the results at the time (January 2004) revealed a sustainable pumping yield of only about 30 litres per minute for 12 hours continuous pumping. The Springhurst, Greta West and Boorhaman bores are equipped with 1000 litre metered lots
where users need to physically switch the pump back on after each 1000 litre fill.

However this is not deterring tanker operators to take large fills, causingfrustration for other users and in the instance of the Greta West bore, causes the bore to run dry at times.

Most of the large commercial tankers are generally supplying stock water to local farmers, but anecdotally some are delivering to locations remote from the Rural City of Wangaratta.

A number of users of water from the Rural City of Wangaratta’s supply points are from outside the municipality.
Whilst the intensity of the drought strengthens, the above issues could increase in significance. The potential is high for some aquifers to run dry, and there is the possibility that Goulburn-Murray Water may restrict or ban drawing stock water from rivers and streams.

Consultation
The Drought Committee has discussed the above issues, and advocates that Council initiate measures to ensure that some degree of equity occurs in the availability of water from the water points that are under Council’s control.

Implications
The issues raised have been partially addressed by organising appropriately worded signage at the drinking water standpipes at Apex Park and at the Livestock Exchange, as well as signage depicting a 3000 litre limit per load at the Greta West standpipe. However there is a need to be able to enforce action upon those who choose to ignore the cooperation that is required. As the drought tightens, Council needs to be in a position to ensure that fair and equitable distribution and usage of this increasingly scarce resource available through the
waterpoints under Council’s control may be achieved.

The current approach is to continue to encourage and educate users of these valuable water resource facilities to be fair and considerate of those in desperate need for stock watering and drinking water to be available. Commercial suppliers of potable water are being encouraged to provide their own supply sources rather
than causing longer queues at Council’s drinking water standpipes.

When a drought is occurring, the Council has to be vigilant about discouraging those who abuse these resources, and does depend upon other users to alert Council staff about misuse of the facilities. The enforcement powers available need to be strengthened in the medium term, and should be used when deemed
necessary now.

Recommendation:
That immediate measures be undertaken to restrict the inappropriate use of water from Council-controlled water points.

King Valley fires witness to Climate Change

Bushfires starting in the King Valley is an ominous sign for the rest of Victoria.

The King Valley is located in a high rainfall area with an average 1100 mm of rain per annum and most of that rain comes with electrical storms. It is not unusual for the Whitfield, Cheshunt, Edi Upper and Myrrhee brigades to be called to fires caused by lightning strikes.

But, this was different. On 1st December 2006, an electrical storm that lasted just a few minutes simultaneously ignited up to 50 bushfires - all in inaccessible locations. Usually these electrical storms are accompanied by rain. This was a dry electrical storm without any rain.

Philip McGuire representing Mountain Cattlemen argues on his website that, "THERE is a strong case for a Royal Commission into these fires. Part of its terms of reference should be to examine the relationship between the Department of Sustainability and Environment, Parks Victoria and the Victorian National Parks Association."

Now that the first fire assault has passed, the interest groups are sheeting blame on those that stand in their way.

Bruce Esplin, Victoria's Emergency Services Commissioner, says climate change is causing longer, more aggressive bushfire seasons and must be factored into the state's fire fighting plans.

He says we are seeing unprecedented fire behavior, that conditions are far worse and we need to be able to deal with a far more aggressive, long-lasting and dangerous fire season. He believes climate change is the missing link in debate and criticism.

Whilst there is enough blame to go around, we should look carefully at the recent weather history of the King Valley. 2006 has seen only a third of the average rainfall.Over the last twelve months, we missed out on spring, winter and autumn.

In September, the Whitfield Rural Fire Brigade was called out to eight grass and scrub fires - all escaped burnoffs due to the lack of moisture content in the grass and trees.

Killing frosts wiped out the grape and fruit crops throughout the district with an unprecedented black frost occurring around the 16th November. The district has been knocked about by continuous strong winds for nearly two months culminating in the dry lightning strike that started thew bushfires on 1st December.

Now just before Christmas, the leaves are falling three months early and there is a prediction of snow falling in the alps on Christmas day. And many people, including our Prime Minister, still question the reality of climate change.

Impact of alpine cattle grazing on bushfire debate

“The debate about the impact of alpine cattle grazing on bushfires has re-ignited in the wake of the fires in north east Victoria.”

The President of the Mountain Cattlemen’s Association of Victoria, Doug Treasure said this today.

Doug Treasure said, “Almost as common as the phrase ‘activate your fire plans’ has been ‘bring back the cattle.’

“The Premier, Steve Bracks has dismissed any impact of cattle grazing because cattle only eat green shoots. We suggest the Premier think more carefully about this. If a green shoot is not eaten it becomes a long dry strand of grass - fuel for fires.

Doug Treasure said, “The Premier needs to know that people are incensed by his comments. He would be well advised to leave this issue to a proper post fire review.

“The debate about the impact of alpine cattle grazing on bushfires has re-ignited because a lot of people think cattle grazing reduces the fuel for fires. It goes further than this though. The cattle are the main focus of a land management regime which mountain cattlemen have practised for generations.

“The fuss about Craig’s Hut being burnt highlights the fact that most Victorians still regard mountain cattlemen as key figures in our heritage. In 2003 we had the alpine fires, we had our alpine licences terminated in 2005 and now, in 2006 some of our State Forest licences are burning. Our heritage is going up in smoke. We need a complete review of the whole alpine grazing issue.

“We have never said grazing stops or prevents blazing. All we have ever said is that grazing reduces blazing. It does this by producing areas of short grass which inhibit the flow of any fire. Cattle eat green grass around mossbeds and this effectively insulates these areas from fire. They trim grass on open plains and this also reduces the flow of fire.

“Naturally the drought, weather, wind and lightning all have a massive effect and put together we could probably not expect other than what is now happening. However, fire intensity is reduced as the fuel load is reduced.”

Doug Treasure said “It is disappointing to see the selective assessments by Melbourne-based conservationists. When they wanted to get cattle out of the Alpine National Park, they argued that cattle have a massive impact. When it comes to reducing fire fuel the same people argue that cattle have no impact.

“When we are mountain cattlemen, we seem to be fair game for Melbourne-based criticism. But when we all pull on the yellow overalls of the CFA volunteer we become heroes. We are the same people. Mountain cattlemen are CFA volunteers. We have intimate knowledge of fire, land management and fire fighting.

“After the 2003 fires we hosted the Emergency Services Commissioner Bruce Esplin for an excellent full day tour of fire ravaged areas. Not once did the Commissioner take issue with our view of events. Then with no further reference to the mountain cattlemen, the Commissioner got two academics to write a chapter on grazing and fire. We were not given the opportunity to meet these authors or comment on their work. The cavalier manner in which the views of mountain cattlemen were dismissed is part of the reason why the debate has re-ignited.”

Doug Treasure said, “We are setting about establishing a private study and review of these fires and the issue of cattle grazing would be just one of the aspects to be examined.”

For further information,
Doug Treasure, 0427 456 353, 5145 6353

What happens to Mt Buffalo Chalet now?

The plight of Mt Buffalo Chalet was raised in Parliament twice this week by Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes.

Dr Sykes weaved the uncertain future of Mt Buffalo Chalet into a debate on Housing affordability and requested that Government immediately extend the lease on the Chalet and reduce energy costs to ensure the long term commercial viability of the Chalet.

Dr Sykes informed Parliament that over 4,000 people had signed a “Save Mt Buffalo Chalet” petition and that the Chalet is an icon of significant economic importance to North East Victoria.

Dr Sykes made the point that the outstanding efforts of CFA/DSE fire fighters (& Mt Buffalo Chalet staff) to save the Chalet from the fires would be wasted if the Bracks Government did not commit to taking action to ensure the long term survival of the Chalet.

Sykes calls for immediate fire recovery help

Immediate implementation of a Tourism promotion campaign using local businesses was one of the key requests made in Parliament this week by Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes.

Dr Sykes highlighted to Parliamentarians, many of whom are Melbourne based, the impact of the current bushfires on farmers, businesses and communities in North East Victoria.

Dr Sykes said, “It is critical that the Government immediately implements a tourist promotion campaign to get visitors back to our beautiful North East Victoria.

“The post 2003 fire promotion campaign provides a good basis for a 2007 campaign. However this time, local businesses should be used to develop and conduct that campaign, unlike last time when the vast majority of the $2m campaign budget went to city based businesses.”

Dr Sykes continued, “My phone and email are running hot with desperate pleas for assistance to businesses which rely heavily on tourists.

“This fire related economic shock compounds the already difficult times being experienced because of drought, severe frosts and the closure of the tobacco industry.”

Dr Sykes also requested financial grants for businesses as occurred post 2003 fires and incentives such as the $1,000 tank rebate being made available to all households – not just those on reticulated water systems. Immediate reimbursement of Local Government fire related costs, which in the case of Mansfield Shire already exceeds $250,000, and immediate assistance with fencing costs are other urgent needs according to Dr Sykes.
Sykes calls for

North East Fires Update - 19 Dcc

Great Divide North Complex

The North East Alps Fire and the Gippsland Fires have been renamed the Great Divide Fire Complex. The Great Divide Fire Complex North is 279,200 hectares and extends from the King Valley, east to Mount Buffalo, south to the headwaters of the Macalister and Wonnangatta Rivers in Gippsland and west to the Jamieson area.

Mansfield Complex

Residents in the Jamieson, Kevington, Gaffneys Creek, A1 Mine Settlement, Woods Point, Matlock, Merrijig, Sawmill Settlement, Mirimbah, Howqua Hills, Sheepyard Flat and Tobacco Flat areas, where there is still considerable fire activity within the body of the fire, will need to remain vigilant and listen to local radio.

In the Merrijig Sector, a control line has been constructed between Plain Creek Track and Carters Road that protects a historic timber tramway, and back burning will occur if conditions are favourable.

At Mt Buller yesterday, crews completed the fire retardant line on the southern boundary. Asset protection around Mt Buller Alpine Village continues.

The fire has been active south of Timbertop recently. The fire crossed to the North of the Howqua River and is threatening the Tobacco Flat, Howqua Hills and Sheepyard Flat areas. Planned backburning from Three Chain Track will now not be undertaken. Fall back control lines closer to private property in the Booroolite area are being considered.

In the Stoney Creek Sector, crews are patrolling the active fire edge, while in the Jamieson/Kevington Sector, crews previously deployed to provide asset protection will be scaled back. Response arrangements will remain in place.

The Tolmie Sector is now quiet and is under local CFA brigade patrol.

Work has been undertaken today to deepen the back burning around the township of Matlock. Fire retardant has also been used as part of asset protection.

Backburning continued along Buttercup Track, crews worked today to tie in Buttercup Track with Plains Creek Track to the Delatite River. Further back burning may occur tonight, conditions permitting.

Communities should be mindful that the back burning will generate smoke and possibly embers, while the roads in the area will be carrying increased traffic, with heavy machinery and fire crews at work.

SP AusNet will today be working south of Mansfield to re-establish the power supply and a large influx of workers and vehicles to be in the area is expected.

Community meetings are scheduled for the following locations:

19th December

Merrijig Community Hall 8.00 pm

20th December

Eurobin Fire Station 11.00 am

Merrijig Community Hall 11.00 am

Mt Hotham (venue TBA) 1.00 pm

Myrtleford Senior Citizens 2.00 pm

Goughs Bay Boat Club2.00 pm

Macs Cove Recreation Reserve 3.30 pm

Jamieson Public Hall 5.00 pm

Ovens Complex

Increased fire activity on Mount Buffalo has resulted in ember attacks in the Buckland Valley and towards Eurobin. Back burning operations immediately North East of Mount Buffalo near Nug Nug were halted due to wind conditions late yesterday and overnight.

Five bulldozers are working at the upper end of the Buckland Valley developing a break along the edge of private property, which will provide a containment line in the northern part of the Buckland Valley division.

Further Information

For information reguarding community meetings please click here

Boil Water Notice:

A boil water notice is in effect until further notice for residents in the Mt Beauty, Tawonga, Tawonga South, Whitfield, Harrietville and Simmonds Creek areas.

Residents are advised to boil water for at least one minute before drinking to prevent illness.

Road Closures

For full details on road closures in the North East visit www.vicroads.vic.gov.au

For information on fires in Victoria and general fire safety, please contact the VBIL on freecall 1800 240 667. Callers who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech/communication impairment may call textphone/telewriter (TTY) on 1800 122 969.

Information is also available at www.dse.vic.gov.au/firesor www.cfa.vic.gov.au

Residents on Alert for Water Contamination

Bushfires have a number of impacts on local communities including the impact on the quality of water and people’s health. With the possibility of rain expected towards the end of the week, Council is urging residents who have rainwater tanks to temporarily disconnect their down pipes or utilise rainwater diversion devices if installed.

By disconnecting the down pipes with the first rain, this will ensure that ash and debris from the bushfire that has fallen onto your roof has been washed off. Depending on the rain fall received and the amount of ash and debris on your roof, pipes can then be reconnected.

Ash and debris could also be washed into dams, creeks and streams. An easy way to avoid this is to use hay bales or shade cloth as a filter where the water flows into these areas. This will reduce the amount of ash and debris entering the water and prevent further contamination problems.

For further information regarding water contamination, please contact the Wangaratta Rural City Council’s Community Development Team Leader, Louise Hazelton, on 5722 0888.

North East Bushfire Update 6.30 am - 18 Dec 06

Update on all the complexes in the North East including Mansfield, Wangaratta and Ovens. 18/12/2006

DSE and CFA have continued work overnight on back burning and the strengthening of containment lines.

In other areas, life is returning to normal - a number of local schools which had been closed will be reopened today, and fire activities in some areas have been reduced to patrolling for hot spots, a task being handed back to local brigades.

Mansfield Complex

During the night DSE and CFA worked on asset protection in the Jamieson/Kevington sector and backburning along Carter Road in the Merrijig sector.

Patrolling continues in the Howquaand Tolmie areas.

Crews working around Mt Buller Alpine Village will concentrate on asset protection, following yesterdays application of fire retardant as a protective measure.

Residents in the Woods Point, Matlock, Jamieson Township and adjacent Jamieson-Licola Road areas, and Lower Howqua should remain vigilant, as crews will be conducting back burning activities in these areas over the next 24 hours.

Communities should be mindful that the back burning will generate smoke and possibly embers, while the roads in the area will be carrying increased traffic, with heavy machinery and fire crews at work.

Great Divide North Complex

Backburning is being conducted in the Mt Buffalo National Park and the Buckland Valley to prevent fire from spreading north-east towards Bright and Wandiligong, and to protect extensive pine plantations to the south of Bright. Crews working in the area have so far completed backburning along a 31 km line. Burning will need to continue for at least another week with another 30 km yet to be completed.

In the Ovens Valley, fire is backing down the east side of the Valley in the Freeburgh area. There is only a low level risk to private property because there is a firebreak along the valley floor from which back burning can be conducted as the need arises. A spot fire in the Twins area on the Great Divide west of Mt Hotham has been active overnight and can be seen from the Great Alpine Road near Mt St Bernard. DSE will conduct an aerial assessment of this remote fire today.

In the Kiewa Valley, CFA crews continue to work hard on containment of fire outside Mt Beauty and on the western side of the Bogong High Plains Road. There was considerable fire activity overnight in an area four kilometres west of the Falls Creek Village. There is a CFA strike team based at Falls Creek and extra resources will be provided over the next few days.

The Alpine National Park remains closed west of the Great Alpine Road, south of Whitfield and the Dargo High Plains. Access into this area from the North East and Gippsland has been closed. The park is also closed west of the Omeo Highway and west of the Great Alpine Road including Mt Bogong, Bogong High Plains and Mt Feathertop.

Mt Buffalo National Park and Nug Nug camping ground are also closed.

Residents in the Whitfield, Mt Beauty, Tawonga, Tawonga South and Harrietville areas are advised to boil water for at least one minute before drinking.

Schools

The Education Department has decided to reopen a number of schools that had been closed as a result of the threat of fire.

Reopened

• Myrrhee Primary School
• Whitfield District School
• Mount Beauty Primary School
• Mount Beauty Secondary School
• Tawonga Primary School

Edi Upper Primary School will reopen on Tuesday 19 December.

Reopened for Monday and Tuesday -

• Harrietville Primary School will be open on Monday 18 December and Tuesday 19 December. A decision as to whether to remain open later in the week will be made on Tuesday.

Closed for the remainder of the year -

• Jamieson Primary School
• Merrijig Primary School
• Bogong Outdoor Education Centre

Parents, school staff and bus operators have been contacted. The school year ends on 21 December.

Road Closures

For full details on road closures in the North East visit www.vicroads.vic.gov.au or call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) on 1800 240 667.

For information on fires in Victoria and general fire safety, please contact the VBIL on freecall 1800 240 667. Callers who arfe deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech/communication impairment may call textphone telewriter (TTY) on 1800 122 969. Information is also available at www.dse.vic.gov.au/fires or www.cfa.vic.gov.au.

Generous company support for burned wildlife

Medical supplies generously donated by some key pharmaceutical companies are available to volunteer wildlife carers in North East Victoria to assist with the treatment of animals burnt and suffering as a result of the current bushfires.

Nationals Member for Benalla and veterinarian Bill Sykes congratulated volunteer wildlife carer and veterinary nurse, Tessa Stow from Myrtleford Veterinary Clinic for her initiative in contacting pharmaceutical companies.

Dr Sykes welcomed the generosity of Lyppard Australia, Bayer, Cenvet & VCA and Boehringer Ingelheim and noted that whilst many thousands of animals have died as a result of the fire, large numbers of birds and injured animals are being presented to wildlife carers for treatment.

Dr Sykes concluded, “I encourage all North East wildlife carers in need of medical supplies to contact Tessa on 5752 1235 B/H or 5763 2471 A/H to access these supplies.”

Take time out to enjoy Christmas

Everyone should take a break from battling drought/fire and general tough times to enjoy Christmas according to Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes.

Dr Sykes said, “Christmas is about families and friends coming together to celebrate the birth of Christ and being grateful for each others friendship and support especially during the current tough times.

“There is nothing like the joy of watching young children anticipating Christmas and the glee on their faces as they open their presents.

“Similarly it is very gratifying for those of us with families to share our Christmas with someone who may otherwise be on their own on Christmas Day.

Dr Sykes continued, “My wife Sally and my staff join with me in wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable Christmas and festive season.

“I would like to thank the thousands of CFA volunteers and DSE staff along with thousands more interstate and overseas fire fighters, SES, Police, Red Cross, Timber Industry people, Local Government and general volunteers for their fantastic efforts – combating the bushfires and minimising the damage to private property - well done!

“We also look forward to an end to the bushfires and the drought with North East Victoria returning to being a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family.”

North East Bushfire Update 5.50 pm - 17 Dec 06

Update on all the complexes in the North East including Mansfield, Wangaratta and Ovens. 17/12/2006

Spot fires in the Falls Creek area are being rounded up through the use of specialist rappel firefighters.

This technique involves using firefighters to rappel down ropes from a hovering helicopter to reach the fire ground, in areas where there is restricted clearing for helicopter landings. This technique is especially useful in being able to get firefighters on the ground in remote and difficult terrain.

Rappel firefighters are highly trained specialists and are an important tool in helping to manage the spread of wildfire.

Mansfield Complex

A strategic fire retardant operation has been undertaken at Mt Buller Alpine Village today. The operation involved the placement of fire retardant around valuable environmental assets, as a barrier against the possible attack from bushfires in the area.

This retardant is usually applied from the air, but was today laid using fire fighting tankers.

Residents in the Wood Point, Matlock, Jamieson Township and adjacent Jamieson-Licola Road areas, and Lower Howqua should remain vigilant, as crews will be conducting backburning activities in these areas over the next 24 hours.

Communities should be mindful that this burn will generate smoke and may also generate embers in the area. The works are being undertaken to protect communities from the threat of fire if weather conditions worsen. Additonal resources will be used to ensure that the burns are conducted safely.

Roads will see an increase in traffic with machinery and fire crews in the region.

Residents in the identified areas should remain on alert and be ready to activate their fire plans if required.

Ovens Complex

Nature has lent a much needed hand with spot fires around Mt Hotham and south east of the Rocky Valley Dam being contained by rainfall. Work continues on a spot fire below Howmans Gap.

Crews continue to work hard on containment with backburning being undertaken along the Old Big Hill Cattle Track to Crankie Charlie to strengthen containment lines south east of Mt Beauty. The backburning at German Creek to Tawonga Gap Road is now completed.

Backburning has been completed from Buffalo River to the Nug Nug Road, while asset protection continues around the Mt Buffalo Chalet and other infrastructure.

Backburning along Devils Creek Track is slow and continuing. This will help to strengthen containment lines.

The Alpine National Park is closed west of the Great Alpine Road, south of Whitfield and the Dargo High Plains. Access into this area from the North East and Gippsland has been closed. The Park is also closed west of the Omeo Highway and west of the Great Alpine Road including Mt Bogong, Bogong High Plains and Mt Feathertop.

Mt Buffalo National Park and Nug Nug Camping Ground are also closed.

Wangaratta Complex

Fire activity in the King Valley area has remained quiet. There will be a planned scale down of crews in this area over the coming week. Local crews are taking over patrolling for hotspots.

Roads that have been closed for safety reasons are now progressively being reopened.

Road Closures

For full details on road closures in the North East visit www.vicroads.vic.gov.au or call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) on 1800 240 667.

NORTH EAST ALPINE COMPLEX

The Tawonga Gap fire has reached 20,000ha and is just to the west and south of Mt. Beauty.

Backburning in the northern section of the Tawonga Gap fire has now been completed down to Tawonga Gap Road. There has been further work in the vicinity of Mt Beauty including some backburning done by the CFA on the western side of the Bogong High Plains Road. This activity will continue for several days in an effort to secure the edge of this fire.

Residents in the Whitfield, Mt Beauty, Tawonga, Tawonga South and Harrietville areas are advised to boil water for at least one minute before drinking.

North East Alps fire (215,000ha) extends from King Valley East to Mt Buffalo and south to the headwaters of the Macalister and Wonnangatta Rivers in Gippsland.

Strike teams are established at Falls Creek. Mt Hotham and Dinner Plain have resources based there ready for use by strike teams when required. These teams will enact plans developed during the 2003 incident when required.

Patrolling of the Smoko, Freeburg and Harrietville areas to protect assets is continuing.

For information on fires in Victoria and general fire safety, please contact the VBIL on freecall 1800 240 667. Callers who arfe deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech/communication impairment may call textphone telewriter (TTY) on 1800 122 969. Information is also available at www.dse.vic.gov.au/fires or www.cfa.vic.gov.au.

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Maps of North East and Gippsland 2.30 pm Sentinel Hotspots Maps 17/12/2006

Maps from the Sentinel Satellite hot spot data.

Map of North East & Gippsland fires - smaller file (jpg, 368Kb)
Mao of North East & Gippsland fires - larger file (pdf, 1.3Mb - large file)

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Road Closures fire affected area 11:10 am List of Road Closures for the fire area in the North East and Gippsland 17/12/2006

MANSFIELD FIRES

Ashwins road from Mansfield-Woods Road,Booralite

Buttercup Road at Greenways Road, Merrijig

Carter Road from Mt Buller Road

Eildon-Jamieson Road from Eildon / Snobs Creek to Jamieson

Howqua Hills Road (Howqua Track) from Mount Buller Road

Howqua River Road at Running Creek Camping Reserve, Howqua

Jamieson-Licola Road between Jamieson and Licola

Mansfield-Woods Point Road between Jamieson and Woods Point

Mitchells Track 2.5 klm off Side Ling ,Jamieson

Mount Buller Road from Merrijig to Mount Buller.

Steiners Road, Howqua Hills

Stirling Road from Mt Buller Road

Stony Creek Track from Mansfield-Woods Point Road at Corduroy Gap, Jamieson

Three Chain Road from Boorolite Chapel Hill Road

Warburton-Woods Point Road from Cumberland Junction (Marysville-Woods Point Road intersection) to Woods Point

NORTH EAST ALPS FIRES

Bogong High Plains Road from Mount Beauty to the Omeo Highway

Bright-Tawonga Road (Tawonga Gap Road) between Bright and Tawonga

Buckland Valley Road from Porepunkah Roundabout

Buffalo River Road at Merriang South

King Valley Road at Whitfield

Lake Buffalo-Whitfield Road from Black Range Creek Road to Buffalo River Road

Mount Buffalo Road from Park Entrance to Mount Buffalo

Rose River Road between Cheshunt and the Buffalo River Road

Simmonds Creek Road, Tawonga is open to 300mts passed the AnnapurnaWinery

GIPPSLAND FIRES

Binns Road 12 km north of Walhalla

Dargo High Plains Road between Mount Hotham and Dargo

Dargo Road from Fernbank-Glenaladale Rd (The Fingerboards)

Freestone Creek Road north of Briagolong - POLICE ROADBLOCK AUTHORISED ACCESS ONLY

Heyfield-Seaton Road at Springs Road, Seaton (west of Seaton)

Jacobs Creek Road at Moe-Rawson Road (Moe-Walhalla Road)

Licola Road north of Glenmaggie - POLICE ROADBLOCK - AUTHORISED ACCESS ONLY

Marathon Road at Gillios Road, north of Briagolong

Moroka Track at Gillios Road, north of Valencia Creek

Toongabbie-Cowwarr Road closed at Afflecks Road (Local traffic access only)

Stony Creek Road at Dowlings Road, Cowwarr

Thompson Dam Access Road / Walhalla Road from the Thompson Dam Wall to
Aberfeldy

Tyers-Thomson Valley Road at intersection of Moe-Rawson (Parkers Corner) road north bound.

Coopers Creek Road closed at Tyers-Thomson Valley Road

Coopers Creek Road closed at Walhalla Road

What's on in Wangaratta - from 15 Dec 06

This is edition 82 of the Rural City of Wangaratta E-Newsletter "Cultural Capers". If you would like to subscribe simply enter your email address in the subscription box at the bottom of the newsletter and it will be sent upon publication.

North East Fire Update 3:30am - 15 Dec 06

Current Fire Situation

All residents in affected areas are advised to remain vigilant and implement their fire plans.

High winds ahead of a southwesterly change have accelerated fires burning in the northeast, before moderating winds and rain in some areas later in the evening eased the situation.

Fire destroyed five houses at Gaffneys Creek, and four houses and one shed at the A1 Mine Settlement.All of the properties were unattended at the time and all residents in these areas remain safe and well.

The south westerly wind change had made conditions more difficult for fire fighters before the weather settled down.

Threat warnings were issued briefly to residents in the areas of Sawmill Settlement, Mirimbah, Howqua River Road,Wandiligong, Nug Nug, the Upper KingValley and Cheshunt South, as fire activity intensified in those areas.

Warnings are still current for residents of the Jamieson, Kevington, Gaffneys Creek, A1 Mine Settlement and Woods Point areas.

Mansfield Complex

Both the Mt Terrible and the North East Alps fires are currently going.

Woods Point has been experiencing light ember attack, and fire has been sighted to the north of the town at the top of Frenchmans Gap

Fire is not threatening Mt Buller, but is still burning northeast and south of the area.The community is well prepared.

There is substantial fire activity in the Bald Hill area between the heads of the Broken River and Evans Creek.

Water bombing aircraft, dozers and crews on the ground concentrated on protecting assets in the Burns Bridge, Ten Mile, Mt Buller, Gaffneys Creek and Woods Point areas.

Telephone lines are down in Kevington Telstra is working to rectify the situation.

Ovens Complex

Rain was reported at Falls Creek, where crews are monitoring low level fire activity near the National Fitness Camp at Howmans Gap and near the Village at Frying Pan Spur.

There is no immediate threat to private property at Mt Beauty, where crews are checking on several spot fires in the Mount Beauty/Tawonga South area.

The north side of the Tawonga fire has stopped progressing, with light rain reported in the area.

Work is continuing on control lines in the Freeburgh sector of the Ovens Valley.

At Mt Hotham, fire is burning in the area of the Twins and Diamantina Spur, but there is no immediate threat to the village.

In the Buckland Valley, the fire has crossed the valley and is burning in a northeasterly direction.

At Nug Nug, the fire has moderated and there no immediate threat to private property.

The fire on the Mt Buffalo Plateau is not currently approaching any assets.

North EastAlpine (Wangaratta)Complex

Work progressed well during the evening and no major issues are expected with any of the existing fires given current and predicted weather conditions.

Two separate areas of spot fires were reported in the Power Sector, which came under the influence of strong, north westerly winds during the afternoon.

Spot fires crossed a high voltage electricity transmission line easement, threatening adjoining houses. All available resources were deployed to the area and no major assets have been lost. Bulldozers and graders have constructed fire breaks to contain the fire west of Burrows Road.

Four additional spot fires in forest threatened private assets in the Cheshunt area. This fire does not pose any threat to private land at present. Containment lines have been constructed to contain it south of Hardys Lane.

Currently the fire is backing down to where contingency lines were created earlier. Patrolling and blacking out continues on the Mansfield Whitfield Roadand bulldozer trail to the east linking the containment line to the Pizzini fire.

The Carboor Sector is experiencing little fire activity, but remains the subject of local CFA patrols.

The Paradise Falls and Rose River Sectors are both experiencing low fire intensity. CFA strike teams are monitoring private assets in the Bennies area.

North East Alpine Complex 6.30pm - 14 Dec 06

This update covers the North East Alps and Ovens (Bright/Tawonga) fire complexes. 14/12/2006

Current Fire Situation

All residents in affected areas are advised to remain vigilant and implement their fire plans.

North East Alpine Fire Complex

The fire has burnt approximately 182,105ha and consists of all the fires in the Ovens and Wangaratta areas.

Overalll, there was increased fire activity throughout the day as the fire moved through the Buffalo National Park. Fireburnt within 2km of the Mt Buffalo Challet. Falls creek has expereinced lots of falling ash through out the day.

There are no current threat messages for this fire.

Bright Tawonga Gap fire

The Bright-Tawonga Gap fire has burnt across 9,600ha.

There is increased fire activity and nemerous spot firesin the areas of Mt Beauty, Bogong and Harrietville, Tawonga and Tawonga South.

Residents inthese areas areadvised to activate their fire plans and remain on the look out for burning embers that may be landingand take all measures to put them out as they arrive.

CFA crews are based at Hotham Heights, Dinner Plain and Falls Creek for asset protection if winds are stronger than forecast. CFA crews are also patrolling Mt. Buffalo Chalet and surrounding assets, while DSE crews have been undertaking some protection work around communication towers.

North East fires update -7.00 pm ... 13/12/2006

This update covers the North East Alps, Mansfield and Ovens (Bright/Tawonga) fire complexes. 13/12/2006

Today has seen extensive backburning, blacking out and consolidation of containment lines ahead of tomorrows hotter conditions.

Current Fire Situation

All residents in affected areas are advised to remain vigilant and implement their fire plans.

North East Alpine Fire Complex

The fire has burnt approximately 180,870 hectares and consists of all the fires in the Ovens and Wangaratta areas. This fire has now joined with the Darling Cynthia Fire in Gippsland.

This fire has remained quiet today with little growth in fire area.

In the Carboor/Edi Sector (Black Range) fire activity has been quiet and is being maintained and monitored by local brigades.

In the Rose River/Paradise Falls fire activity has diminished. The Rose River community has been secured and work continues to blackout control lines and ensure embers from falling trees do not throw embers across containment lines. In Paradise Falls the fire is well contained.

Bright Tawonga Gap fire

The Bright-Tawonga Gap fire has burnt across 9,500 ha, is currently active around Big Hill and is threatening Tawonga and Tawonga South. This fire is slowly moving downhill towards Tawonga, Tawonga South and Simmons Creek and along the Great Alpine Road to Harrietville.

Residents in Tawonga and Tawonga South are advised to activate their fire plans and should remain on the look out for burning embers that may be landing around their property and take all measures to put them out as they arrive.

Containment lines are currently being constructed to the South East near Bogong Village and Big Hill, with the aim of containing the fire within Roper Spur, Bogong High Plains Road and a containment line from Bogong Village.

Mansfield Fire Complex

Threat Messages have been issued for the following areas:

Kevington, Gaffney's Creek, A1 Mine, Glencairn: The fire is still burning in this area and residents must continue to be vigilant if they choose to stay.

The Mansfield complex is estimated to have burnt 35,400ha and includes the Mt. Teribble and Governors fires.

The forecasted north winds are expected to push the Mt Terrible fire in a southerly direction and residents within the following areas need to activate their fire plans, remain vigilant and stay alert for threat messages that may be issued:

• Jamieson district
• Burns Bridge
• Sawmill Settlement
• Timber Top and
• Barragunda
• Merrijig
• Mirimbah
• Mt Buller
• Woods Point
• Matlock and surrounds

Thompson Water Catchment Protection

Work continues in the Thompson and Upper Yarra Catchments to construct fallback contingencies in an effort to protect our water catchments and rural communities in these areas. Australian Army Crews commenced work today on the Mt. Selma Road area and joined together with DSE and Melbourne Water Crews working to complete fall back lines to contain the western spread of the fire. Backburning operations are planned for Friday to consolidate these lines.

Key Safety Messages

People who intend to stay need to ensure that they:

• Are physically and mentally prepared to defend their home;
• Have a comprehensive plan, reliable water supply and fire fighting equipment;
• Have adequate cleared space around their house;

If residents do not have these things in place, they should leave well before the fire threatens their local area.

Residents who plan to defend their homes must ensure that they are wearing the correct clothing. Residents should wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, sturdy boots, and a broad brimmed hat. On no account should synthetic material be worn.

As the front of the fire approaches, it will become unsafe to be either on foot or in a car as the heat radiating from the fire will be intense. Residents should avoid being exposed to radiant heat at all costs, and should make use of structures like their homes to shelter as the fire front passes.

Residents are reminded that after a fire front passes, embers may continue to arrive for several hours, and should not lessen their work to protect their homes. Residents should continue to patrol their homes and check roof spaces, under-floor spaces, and areas where leaves commonly gather to ensure that nothing is burning.

Community Meetings

A number of community meetings have been scheduled. Click here for list of community meetings.

North East fires update - 7.30 pm - 12 Dec 2006

This update covers the North East Alps, Mansfield and Ovens (Bright/Tawonga) fire complexes. It also includes confirmation of the loss of the Cresta Valley Lodge at Mt Buffalo. 12/12/2006

Current Fire Situation

The four fires in the north east have now burnt 165,000 ha.

All residents in affected areas are advised to remain vigilant and implement their fire plans.

There are no urgent current threat messages.

North East Alpine Fire Complex

This fire has burnt approximately 132,000 ha. The fire is a concsilidation of all the fires in the Ovens and Wangaraata areas. It has now joined the Darling-Cynthia fire in Gippsland.

Communities that may come under threat include:

• Tolmie
• Merrijig
• Sawmill Settlement
• Mirimbah
• Mount Buller
• Rose River
• Upper Buckland Valley area
• Cheshunt
• Cheshunt South
• Paradise Falls area

The fire on the western edge of the North East Alps fire, 1km north of Powers Lookout is still going. DSE and CFA advise residents in the following areas that they may be threatened by and to activate fire plans:

• Whitlands
• Burders Lane
• Powers Lookout Road and
• Mansfield to Whitfield Rd

Strong winds have resulted in intense fire behaviour and spot fires near Mt Mary in the Buckland Valley.

It has been confirmed that the Cresta Valley Lodge on Mount Buffalo, formerly known as the Tatra Inn, has burnt down this morning. The lodge at Cresta Valley consisted of the Cresta Day Visitor Centre, a restaurant and a motel. No other assets on Mount Buffalo are damaged.

DSE and CFA are continuing to monitor the situation, carrying out asset protectionto ensure all other assets including the Mt Buffalo Chalet are protected.

Crews continue to strengthen good control lines around the township of Tolmie. Work is progressing today to consolidate control lines from Stockyard Link Track and Bald Hill Track into Barragunda. Backburning operations will continue today, conditions permitting.

Bright Tawonga Gap fire

The Bright-Tawonga Gap fire has burnt across 9000 ha, spreading further north overnight fanned by a south westerly wind, with fire travelling on the northern side of Tawonga Gap Road.

The fire is extremely active around Big Hill and is threatening Tawonga and Tawonga South.

DSE and CFA advise residents in the Tawonga and Tawonga South area to activate their fire plans immediately as embers may be landing around their property and that they should take all measures to put them out as they arrive.

CFA strike teams are providing protection and support to the Mount Beauty community.

A number of community meetings have been sheduled for Tuesday, 12 December. Note that the meeeting for Whorourly has been cancelled, as predicted wind changes have not occured.

Click here for list of community meetings.

Mansfield Fire Complex

The Mansfield complex is estimated to have burnt 24,000ha. This includes the Mt. Teribble fire and the Governors fire.

Residents in the Jamieson district are advised that predicted wind changes may push the Mt. Terrible fire in a northerly direction and residents may be threatened by this fire. Residents need to activate their fire plans.

Residents within the following areas need to activate their fire plans, remain vigilant and stay alert for threat messages that may be issued:

• Gaffneys Creek
• A1 Mine settlement and
• Burns Bridge
• Howqua Hills
• Sheepyard Flat
• Lower Howqua
• Mount Buller
• Kevington
• Knockwood

Key Safety Messages

People who intend to stay need to ensure that they:

• Are physically and mentally prepared to defend their home;
• Have a comprehensive plan, reliable water supply and fire fighting equipment;
• Have adequate cleared space around their house;

If residents do not have these things in place,they should leave well before the fire threatens their local area.

Residents who plan to defend their homes must ensure that they are wearing the correct clothing.

Residents should wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, sturdy boots, and a broad brimmed hat. On no account should synthetic material be worn.

As the front of the fire approaches, it will become unsafe to be either on foot or in a car as the heat radiating from the fire will be intense. Residents should avoid being exposed to radiant heat at all costs, and should make use of structures like their homes to shelter as the fire front passes.

Residents are reminded that after a fire front passes, embers may continue to arrive for several hours, and should not lessen their work to protect their homes. Residents should continue to patrol their homes and check roof spaces, under-floor spaces, and areas where leaves commonly gather to ensure that nothing is burning.

Community Meetings

Click here for list of community meetings.

Community Relief Centres

Community relief centres have been set up at the following locations where accomodation and food will be available:

• Bright Community Centre
• Harrietville Community Hall
• Mansfield Community Centre
• Mount Beauty Community Centre
• Moyhu Memorial Hall

North East fires update - 6.00am - 12 Dec 2006

The Black Range, Mt Typo, Lake William Hovell East and Rose River fires have combined. The one fire is now known as the North East Alps Fire. Update also includes Mansfield and Ovens fire complexes. New information on the Mansfield Fire Complex. 12/12/2006

Current Fire Situation

All residents in affected areas are advised remain vigilant and implement their fire plans.

Wangaratta (North East Alpine) Fire Complex

The fire on the western edge of the North East Alps fire, 1km north of Powers Lookout is still going. DSE and CFA advise residents in the following areas that they may be threatened by this fire:

• Whitlands
• Burders Lane
• Powers Lookout Road and
• Mansfield to Whitfield Rd

The estimated area burnt is approximately 132,000ha. A machinery shed and contents have been lost today in the Rose River area.

DSE and CFA resources continue to focus on asset protection in the Buckland Valley, Mount Buffalo and Lake Buffalo. Lake Buffalo/Whitfield Road containment line is holding well.

Communities that may come under threat include:

• Tolmie
• Merrijig
• Sawmill Settlement
• Mirimbah
• Mount Buller
• Rose River
• Upper Buckland Valley area
• Cheshunt
• Cheshunt South
• Paradise Falls areas

DSE and CFA crews continue to strengthen good control lines around the township of Tolmie. Work is progressing today to consolidate control lines from Stockyard Link Track and Bald Hill Track into Barragunda. Backburning operations will continue today, conditions permitting.

Ovens Fire Complex (including Bright Tawonga Gap fire)

The Bright-Tawonga Gap fire has burnt across 9000hectares, spreading further north overnight fanned by a south westerly wind, with fire travelling on the northern side of Tawonga Gap Road.

DSE and CFA advise residents in the Tawonga and Tawonga South area to activate their fire plans immediately as embers may be landing around their property soon and that they should take all measures to put them out as they arrive.

CFA strike teams are providing protection and support to the Mount Beauty community.

Mansfield Fire Complex

The Mansfield complex is estimated to have burnt 24,000ha. This includes the Mt. Teribble fire and the Governors fire.

Residents in the Jamieson district are advised that predicted wind changes may push the Mt. Terrible fire in a northerly direction and residents may be threatened by this fire. Residents need to activate their fire plans.

Residents within the following areas need to activate their fire plans urgently as they may be threatened by the fire front and ember attack:

• Gaffneys Creek
• A1 Mine settlement and
• Burns Bridge

Howqua Hills, Sheepyard Flat and Lower Howqua need toremain vigilant as the Low Saddle and Governors fires are expected to be pushed in a northerly direction. The fires also continue to threaten the communities of

• Mount Buller
• Kevington and
• Knockwood.

Crews are continuing to provide asset protection in and around Jamieson, Merrijig, Mt. Buller and Woods Point. CFA crews are monitoring the fire edge south of Jamieson river which is backing slowly towards control lines on private property. Consolidation of tracks for a northern control line along Symes and Mitchell Stoney Creek Tracks, north east of Jamieson continues.

At the Mt. Terrible fire crews made progress on the Ryan Spur sector, including commencing backburning operations, taking advantage of the favourable weather conditions. Backburning will continue tonight, conditions permitting.

Key Safety Messages

People who intend to stay need to ensure that they:

• Are physically and mentally prepared to defend their home;
• Have a comprehensive plan, reliable water supply and fire fighting equipment;
• Have adequate cleared space around their house;

If residents do not have these things in place, given the expected extreme fire conditions, they should leave well before the fire threatens their local area.

Residents should continue to defend their homes from embers, and ensure that they are wearing the correct clothing. Residents should wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, sturdy boots, and a broad brimmed hat. On no account should synthetic material be worn.

Residents should expect that embers from this fire may continue to arrive for several hours, and should not lessen their work to protect their homes. Residents should continue to patrol their homes and check roof spaces, under-floor spaces, and areas where leaves commonly gather to ensure that nothing is burning.

As the front of the fire approaches, it will become unsafe to be either on foot or in a car as the heat radiating from the fire will be intense. Residents should avoid being exposed to radiant heat at all costs, and should make use of structures like their homes to shelter as the fire front passes. Residents should wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, sturdy boots and a broad brimmed hat. On no account should synthetic material be worn.

Community Meetings

Click here for list of community meetings.

Community Relief Centres

Community relief centres have been set up at the following locations where accomodation and food will be available:

• Bright Community Centre
• Harrietville Community Hall
• Mansfield Community Centre
• Mount Beauty Community Centre
• Moyhu Memorial Hall

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North East fires school closures - 3.20am A number of schools in fire affected areas have been closed. 12/12/2006

The following schools in areas affected by the North East fires will remain closed:

• Myrrhee Primary School
• Whitfield District Primary School
• Edi Upper Primary School
• Merrijig Primary School
• Jamieson Primary School
• Mount Beauty Primary School
• Mount Beauty Secondary School
• Tawonga Primary School

AMTRA Camp Burnt Out.

Spare a thought today for the blokes at the Australian Motorcycle Trailriders Association.

Fire yesterday burnt out their well established and cared for club camp at Abbeyard. AMTRA has been a loyal ally and good friend of the Mountain Cattlemen and other bush user groups and hopefully when the fires are out we'll all get a chance to get together with them and help with the clean-up and rebuilding.

I spoke to Club president, Peter Ellard, last night and as usual he was positive and upbeat.

Meanwhile, Steve Bracks continues to claim that Victoria is the best prepared it's ever been to deal with the uncontrollable blazes that are destroying what remained of the Alpine National Park after 2003. Who does he think he's kidding?

Preparation means that the bush is relatively safe, that fuel reduction strategies have ensured that the inevitable fires that come with a dry summer will not be able to satisfy their ravenous hunger on massive fuel loads.

No country can be prepared to fight fires that can't be fought successfully. Any firefighter will tell you that suppression is a wildly impossible dream. Prevention is the key to preparedness and Victoria's prevention strategies have been so lacking as to be almost non-existent.

Bracks is a master of lies and spin but even he can't get out of this one. Let's make sure we don't let him off the hook.

Yesterday he cancelled a planned visit to the firefront. Mysteriously it was said to be "inappropriate." Maybe he was a bit nervous about the reception he would have received.

Originally published by Philip McGuire on Bundarrah Days Blog

North East fires - Current situation 11 Dec

Current Fire Situation

Fire intensity has lessened a little with nightfall, however areas of intense and erratic fire behaviour are being reported as south west winds influence fire areas.

A number of urgent threat messages have been issued to communities throughout the region.

All residents in affected areas are advised to implement their fire plans immediately.

North East Alpine Fire Complex

The North East Alpine fire has travelled up the western side of Mount Buffalo and is spotting over the Buckland Valley. Most fire activity has been burning within existing containment lines.

The estimated area burnt is approximately 132,000 ha.

DSE and CFA resources are continuing to focus on asset protection in the Buckland Valley, Mount Buffalo and Lake Buffalo.

Lake Buffalo/Whitfield Road containment line is holding well and will continue to be monitored.

Communities that may come under threat include:

• Howqua Hills near Sheepyard Flat
• Jamison
• Tolmie
• Merrijig
• Sawmill Settlement
• Mirimbah
• Mount Buller
• Kevington
• Gaffneys Creek
• A1 Mine Settlement
• Knockwood
• Burder's Lane
• Rose River
• Upper Buckland Valley area
• Cheshunt
• Cheshunt South (specifically the Burrowes Lane, Christopher's Road, Upper King River Road areas)
• Paradise Falls areas (particularly Swinburnes Lane, Paradise Falls Road, Rose River Road west of Gentle Annie, the Edi Upper to Cheshunt Road, the Upper King River Road, Ryans Lane, Christophers Lane and Hardy's Lane)

CFA strike teams are providing protection and support to the Woods Point and Mount Beauty communities and will stay to assist residents to implement their fire safety plans.

Bright Tawonga Gap fire

The Bright-Tawonga Gap fire has now burnt more than 5000 ha and spread quickly in a south-easterly direction despite burning through land burnt in the 2003 fires. Fire crews are considering backburning operations in an effort to contain this fire.

Mansfield Fire Complex

The Mnasfield complex of fire is estimated to have burnt 24,000 ha. This includes the Mt Teribble fire and the Governors fire. Fire activity in this area is intense with strong winds spreading the fire in a south easterly direction.

The North East Alps fire has jumped containment lines east of Tolmie and may threaten residents following a south westerly wind change expected this afternoon.

The Mount Terrible fire has also jumped containment lines north of Gaffneys Creek.

Threat messages have been issued for several communities including Gaffneys Creek, A1 Mine Settlement, Merrjig to Mirimbah (including Sawmill Settlement). Ember attack is expected in this area and residents should take appropriate action.

The fires also continue to threaten the communities of Mount Buller, Kevington and Knockwood.

Alpine National Park Closures

The Alpine National Park has been closed west of the Omeo Highway (between Omeo and Mitta Mitta) and west of the Great Alpine Road (between Omeo and Bairnsdale). This closure includes Mount Bogong, Bogong High Plains, Dargo High Plains and Mount Feathertop.

Key Safety Messages

People who intend to stay need to ensure that they:

• Are physically and mentally prepared to defend their home;
• Have a comprehensive plan, reliable water supply and fire fighting equipment;
• Have adequate cleared space around their house;
• If residents do not have these things in place, given the expected extreme fire conditions, they should leave well before the fire threatens their local area.

As the front of the fire approaches, it will become unsafe to be either on foot or in a car as the heat radiating from the fire will be intense. Residents should avoid being exposed to radiant heat at all costs, and should make use of structures like their homes to shelter as the fire front passes. Residents should wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, sturdy boots and a broad brimmed hat. On no account should synthetic material be worn.

Community Meetings

Click here for list of community meetings.

School Closures

• Myrrhee Primary School
• Whitfield District Primary School
• Edi Upper Primary School
• Merrijig Primary School
• Jamieson Primary School

Community Relief Centres

Community relief centres have been set up at the following locations where accomodation and food will be available:

• Bright Community Centre
• Harrietville Community Hall
• Mansfield Community Centre
• Mount Beauty Community Centre
• Moyhu Memorial Hall

Fire update meetings in RCoW

Fire Ready Victoria Community Meetings within the Municipality: WANGARATTA RURAL CITY COUNCIL
Township	Meeting	Day & Date	Time	Venue Details	Other Details	Enquiries
CARBOOR	Community Meeting (public)	Monday 11 Dec 2006	10.00AM-11.00AM	Carboor Public Hall - Carboor-Everton Rd, CARBOOR	Residents under threat should stay with their homes	1800 240 667
MYRRHEE	Community Meeting (public)	Monday 11 Dec 2006	2.00PM-3.00PM	Myrhee Hall - Myrrhee Hall rd, MYRRHEE	residents under threat should stay with their homes	1800 240 667
WANGARATTA SOUTH	Community Meeting (public)	Friday 15 Dec 2006	8.00PM-9.30PM	South Wangaratta Fire Station - Cnr Shanley St & Warby Range Rd, WANGARATTA SOUTH	Residents of Gravel Pit Rd, Omaru Rd and Taminick Gap Rd are encouraged to attend	03 5833 2400
WHITFIELD	Community Meeting (public)	Tuesday 12 Dec 2006	11.00AM-12.00PM	Whitfield RSL - RSL hall Rd, WHITFIELD	Residents under direct threat are advised not to attend	1800 240 667
*WHOROULY Cancelled	Community Meeting (public)	Tuesday 12 Dec 2006	10.00AM-11.00AM	Whourouly Recreation Reserve Centre - Church Street, WHOROULY	Residents under direct threat should stay with their homes	1800 240 667

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URGENT THREAT MESSAGE FOR RESIDENTS IN THE WHITLANDS AREA - 4:00PM

Warning for residents of Whitlands, Burder's Lane, Powers Lookout Road, and Mansfield to Whitfield Road. 11/12/2006

DSE and CFA advise residents in the Whitlands, Burders Lane, Powers Lookout Road, and Mansfield to Whitfield Road and they may be threatened by this fire. These residents are advised to activate their fire plans immediately.

This fire has the potential to cause spot fires, and ember attack. Residents in this area are advised that embers may be landing around their property soon and that they should take all measures to put them out as they arrive.

It is important that all residents protect themselves from radiant heat by wearing the correct protective clothing. Residents should wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, sturdy boots, and a broad brimmed hat. On no account should synthetic material be worn.

As the front of the fire approaches it will become unsafe to be either on foot or in a car as the heat radiating from the fire will be intense. Residents should avoid being exposed to radiant heat at all costs, and should make use of structures like their homes to shelter in as the fire front passes.

After the fire front has passed, residents should immediately begin to patrol their house looking for embers or areas that are burning and extinguish them as best they can.

Keep a portable radio with batteries handy in case of power failure.