Alert Message Beechworth Fire 6.00pm
Alert Message Beechworth Fire 6.00pm
Alert Message Alert Message Dederang, Gundowring, Gundowring Upper, Glen Creek, Kergunyah South, Mudgeegonga and Running Creek
10/02/2009
Incident Information
The threat message concerning the Beechworth Fire in the Dederang area remains downgraded. Previously reported activity at about 1800 hours yesterday has been contained and conditions are reasonably quiet at the moment. However residents of Dederang, Gundowring, Gundowring Upper, Glen Creek, Kergunyah South, Mudgeegonga and Running Creek will need to remain alert due to a high level of fire activity still in the area.
Beechworth, Stanley, Dederang, Murmungee and Glen Creek residents are advised that increased smoke in the area is expected tonight as fire fighters undertake fresh backburning operations.
Incident Controller, Rob Chalwell, said around 250 DSE, CFA and interstate fire fighters would be burning out areas of unburnt land within the current control lines of the Beechworth Fire tonight.
He said the fire had burnt approximately 30,000 hectares of land, including just under 2,000 hectares of pine plantations.
Two community meetings will be held on Wednesday 11 February 2009 at:
Beechworth Town Hall, 103 Ford Street, Beechworth at 10.30am; and
The Savoy Club Myrtleford, Great Alpine Road, Myrtleford at 1.00pm.
Core Advice
People in the area need to remain alert as there may not be a warning should conditions change unexpectedly. Continue to listen to ABC or local radio for updates on this fire.
Be prepared to activate your bushfire survival plan if necessary.
Decide now if you are going to stay or go. Remember that it is very dangerous to leave late with a fire in the area. Road use in the area will be extremely hazardous due to low visibility from smoke. Watch out for fallen trees, power lines, abandoned cars, wildlife and emergency services vehicles.
If you plan to stay, remember to seek shelter from radiant heat. Should the fire reach your property, close all doors and windows and stay inside the house while the fire passes. Remain alert, extinguish any small fires and if necessary, move outside to burnt ground once the fire has passed.
Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
For information on fires in Victoria 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 may call textphone/ telewriter (TTY) on 1800 122 969. Information is also available at www.dse.vic.gov.au/fires