Alert Message – Maroondah/Yarra Complex Fire – 1.00pm 11/02/2009
Alert Message – Maroondah/Yarra Complex Fire – 1.00pm
Alert Message – Communities in Maroondah area Healesville, Chum Creek, Badger Creek, Steels Creek, Dixons Creek, Yarra Glen, Toolangi and Castello. Communities in Yarra area Warburton, Reefton, Wesburn, Millgrove, Yarra Junction, Gladysdale, Powelltown,
11/02/2009
Incident Information
Maroondah
Fires continue to burn south east and north of Toolangi and east and north of Healesville. Residents are advised that fire activity in these areas remains high and need to be vigilant and aware of the localised change in conditions.
Increased fire activity has also been detected in the vicinity of Mount St Leonards.
Crews will work today on strengthening strategic control lines and subject to appropriate weather conditions, will burn out areas of unburnt fuels between active fire and control lines. Areas likely to experience increased smoke from these burns include Toolangi and communities in the vicinity of Mt Riddell.
Communities in Healesville, Chum Creek, Badger Creek, Steels Creek, Dixons Creek, Yarra Glen, Toolangi and Castello are advised to remain alert to fire activity.
Yarra
Fires continue to burn in the vicinity of the Upper Yarra Dam and east of Big Pats Creek. Residents are advised to remain vigilant and aware of localised change in conditions.
Fire also continues to burn in the Bunyip State Park. Residents in the Yarra Valley including communities in the vicinity of Warburton, Reefton, Wesburn, Millgrove, Yarra Junction, Gladysdale, Powelltown, Launching Place, Don Valley, Hoddles Creek, Woori Yallock and Yellingbo may be experiencing increased smoke from this fire and associated containment strategies which include controlled burning.
Multiple emergency services, including CFA, DSE, DPI, Parks Victoria, Tasmania Fire Services, Melbourne Water, Victoria Police and the Shire of Yarra Ranges, are continuing to focus on the protection of key community infrastructure, townships and water catchment in the Maroondah/Yarra Complex.
Residents can expect to see continued and increased fire activity that is monitored and will be responded to accordingly by fire crews. Residents are advised to be aware of emergency vehicles and requested to keep a safe distance from emergency operations.
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.
Additional Information
Tourists are advised to avoid the following areas: Communities as listed above.
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 this fire are: 170 fire trucks 500 personnel supported by 6 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