North East fire map and update - 4:00pm - 9 Dec

Click on map to enlarge...

Current Fire Situation

Fire crews in the north east region are focusing on asset protection in threatened communities as weather conditions deteriorate.

The North East fires have currently burnt out approximately 102,000 hectares

King Valley Complex

Approximately 70,000 hectares have currently been burnt in this complex. Fire area was releatively quiet overnight.

Army refuellers and 46 NSW RFS crews arrived last night and were busy backburning on night shift.

The Black Range, Mt Typo, Lake Wiliam Hovell East and Rose River are now one fire.

All fire crews have been taksed to assist residents in this area with asset protection.

The West King sector of the fire crossed McDonaldsspur but has been held at the Mansfield Whitfield Road. The Loombah fire is currently contained at approximately 200 hectares and the Pizzini fire is currently contained at500 hectares.

Power went out in the whole King Valley this morning but has now been restored to the Whitfield township. Rose River, Cheshunt, etc. are still without power. The lines are down in the Rose River area and SP Ausnet crews are currently working on this.

Rose River came under more intense emberattack this morning. Paradise Falls area has asset protection on several timber bridges with offer essential access.

The communications towers near Power's Lookout have also been likewise defended/prepared. Back burning is continuing under the main transmission lines.

Mansfield Complex

Two going fires in this complex. The biggest of these is the Mt Terrible (Jamieson-Flourbag) fire, south of Jamieson in the Upper Goulburn Valley. Woods Point and surrounding assets are at risk, inlcuding a critical communications tower. The focus is establishing and consolidating control lines and monitoring spot overs.

Communities wich may come under threat from fire include: Tolmie, Mt Buller, Merijig (Sawmill Settlement and Mirimbah), Kevington, Gaffney's Creek, A1 Mine Settlement and Knockwood.

CFA strike teams are now embedded providing protection and support to the Woods Point and Mt Buller communities. These teams will stay with the community to implement their fire safety plans and have taken additional supplies to sustain them for what could be up to 5 days of isolation if the fire surrounds them.

Fires burned strongly through the night as fire fighters continued strengthening control lines and preparing for worsening conditions today.

Overnight fires had threatened a critical part of Victoria's power grid.

The area burned is now 17,500 hectares.

North East Alps Complex

Now a single going fire of 106,000 hectares based on the merging of all fires in the Ovens and Wangaratta Complexes. The fire has the potential to move southwards on a wide front, with risks to remote communities and assets including Mt Buller. Fire has also shown a capacity to actively spread within the 2003 fire area under current dry conditions.

Communities in the north east are being urged to recognise the seriousness of the situation and to take immediate action to ensure their safety.

In the King Valley/Wangaratta area, communities threatened are: Whitfield, Edi, Cheshunt, Cheshunt South, Rose River, Burders Lane and Paradise Falls.

Residents in the Upper Buckland Valley are advised that there may be fire activity in the general area.

A Community Relief Centre has been set up at the Moyhu Memorial Hall. Accommodation, food will be available.

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 an 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.

Community Meetings Saturday 9 December

• 5pm Jamieson Town Hall, Jamieson
• 5pm Myrtleford, Senior Citizens Club, Smith Street

Community Meetings Sunday 10 December

• 9am Bright, Community Centre, Railway Avenue
• 10.30am Harrietville, Community Hall, Great Alpine Road

Community Meetings Monday 11 December

• 10am Carboor, venue TBA
• 2pm Myrrhee, venue TBA

Community Meetings Tuesday 12 December

• 10am Whorouly/Whitfield, venue TBA
• 11am Whitfield, RSL Hall

Road Closures:

King Valley/Wangaratta Complex

• All roads south of Moyhu.
• Mansfield Whitfield Road from Toombullup to Burders Lane.
• Benalla Whitfield Road and Kilfeera Road at Greta South.
• Wangaratta Whitfield Road and Boggy Creek Road at Moyhu
• Buffalo River Road closed at Lake Buffalo

Ovens Complex

• Lake Buffalo Road - Emergency vehicle only beyond Lake Buffalo Dam Wall.
• Buffalo River Valley Road closed at 80kph section before the South Merriung turnoff.
• Mt Buffalo Tourist Road.
• The Great Alpine Road remains closed.
• Buckland Valley Road at the end of the asphalt - open only to local traffic
• Dargo Road from the Great Alpine Road through to Gippsland - closed to all traffic.

For further Road Closures, please see article on "Road Closures"

Park Closures

The Alpine National Park west of the Great Alpine Road, south of Whitfield and the Dargo High Plains and access into that area from the North East and Gippsland Areas has been closed.

Mt Buffalo National Park is closed to visitors

The NugNug Camping Ground at Nug Nug Reserve has been closed until further notice.