Wangaratta (King Valley) fire complex - 3.20pm

Approximately 10,000 hectares burnt. Three going fires are threatening private property in the King Valley, Whitfield and Cheshunt areas. 08/12/2006

Current Fire Situation

The West King/Whitfield fire is now the main fire in the Wangaratta complex.

Residents in the areas surrounding this fire complex need to remain vigilant and are advised to activate their fire plans.

Support from aircraft has been limited due to the amount of smoke haze. Firefighters are concentrating on protecting private assets.

The West King sector of the fire has crossed the King River and is headed in the vicinity of Paradise Falls and Mount Pleasant. The William Hovell Sector at its eastern front is threatening the pine plantation at the intersection of Rose River Road and Upper Rose River Road near Typo Station.

The fire in the area of Peacock Spur has extended north west towards the Mansfield Whitfield Road. At present this fire has not crossed the Mansfield Whitfield Road, but is spotting across the road. Fire crews have been able to extinguish these spot fires.

These fires are expected to grow significantly as the winds move from the south east to the north east this afternoon. This expected fire behaviour may pose a serious threat to all communities in or near the fires as the fires move in a south westerly direction, including:

• Cheshunt South
• Rose River
• Upper Rose River
• Lake William Hovell
• Whitlands
• Paradise Falls
• Burders Lane

Key Safety Information

Communities who are impacted by this fire need to remain vigilant. Residents in areas threatened bycan expect smoke and burning embers to reach their property, and are advised to patrol their houses to find and put out any burning embers that may be landing. Residents should wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, sturdy boots and a broad brimmed hat. Synthetic material should not be worn.

As the fire front 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.