Alert Message – Bunyip Ridge Fire 11.00pm 13/02/2009
Alert Message – Bunyip Ridge Fire 11.00pm
Alert message for Bunyip Ridge Fire overnight
13/02/2009
Incident Information
The Bunyip Ridge fire is burning in the Bunyip State Park and State Forest areas between Gembrook, Powelltown, Neerim Junction and Tonimbuk and is estimated to be approximately 25,000 hectares in size.
Overnight, with moderating winds from the East/Nth East, residents in the Nayook, Whites Corner, McIntyre Rd, Neerim, Neerim Sth, Jindivick, Drouin, Labertouche and Tonimbuk areas are advised they will still be experiencing smoke as a result of continuing back burning operations. Due to certain weather conditions, the smoke from these burns may settle closer to the ground.
As operations progress through the night residents in the Labertouche area should expect to see the glow and increased smoke from controlled fire activity.
Even though the Bunyip Ridge fire is not currently posing a threat, residents in these areas need to be aware that with fire activity continuing in the area, there is the potential for it to impact directly.
______________________________________________________________________________________
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.
Road users are advised to take extra care as road travel may be hazardous due to low visibility from smoke.
Continue to listen to ABC or local radio for updates on this fire.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Additional Information
The public are asked not to unnecessarily travel into areas where back burning operations are continuing due to the number of emergency service vehicles operating there.
Control lines continue to be established and secured on the Nth Eastern and Nth Western sectors of this fire.
For information on road closures, please refer to the Vic Roads website at ttp://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/
Other information
Shire of Cardinia residents who have been affected by the fire and require assistance should contact the council on 1300 787 624. This line is open 24 hours. The Recovery Centre that has been running in Bunyip will now close on Saturday 14 February at 1:00pm.
Baw Baw Shire residents should call 1300 859 446 for recovery information.
The Red Cross registration line is 1800 727 077.
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 or https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/