Alert Message – Maroondah/Yarra Complex 5.15am

Alert Message – Maroondah/Yarra Complex 5.15am

Alert Message for the communities of , Chum Creek, Badger Creek, Steels Creek, Dixons Creek, Yarra Glen, Toolangi and Castello
11/02/2009

Incident Information

Fires continue to burn in the Maroondah/Yarra Complex in particular, south east of Toolangi and east and of Healesville. Residents are advised that fire activity in these areas remains high, with the increased possibility of ember attack and need to be vigilant and aware of the localised change in conditions.

Increased fire activity has also been detected in the Mount St Leonards area and residents there are advised to be alert to changing local conditions.

Communities in Healesville, Chum Creek, Badger Creek, Steels Creek, Dixons Creek, Yarra Glen, Toolangi and Castello are advised to remain alert to fire activity.

Multiple emergency services, including CFA, DSE, DPI, Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water, and the Shire of Yarra Ranges, are continuing to focus on the protection of key community infrastructure, townships and water catchment areas. Crews from Tasmania arrived last night and are now working with local crews.

Subject to appropriate weather conditions, crews will burn out areas of unburnt fuels between strategic control lines. This is to strengthen current control lines and areas likely to experience increased smoke from these burns include Healesville and Badger Creek.

Residents can expect to see continued fire activity that is monitored and will be responded to accordingly by fire crews. Crews are on high alert for any possible increase in fire activity.

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 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.

Additional Information

Tourists are advised to avoid the following areas: HHealesville, Chum Creek, Badger Creek, Steels Creek, Dixons Creek, Yarra Glen, Coldstream, Toolangi, Castello and Mount St Leonards.

Road closures currently in place: Information on updated road closures is available on the VicRoads website https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/

Emergency relief centres are located at: Healesville Memorial Hall, Maroondah Highway Healesville

Resources committed to complex fire are: 130 fire trucks 300 personnel supported by aircraft and dozers.

Other information:

The Shire of Yarra Ranges had advised Healesville Memorial Hall is not a donation collection centre, for further details please visit

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

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