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.