Alert Message Maroondah/Yarra Complex Fire – Maroondah-11:20am 12/02/2009
Alert Message Maroondah/Yarra Complex Fire – Maroondah-11:20am
Alert Message – Healesville, Chum Creek, Badger Creek, Steels Creek, Dixons Creek, Yarra Glen, Toolangi and Castella
12/02/2009
Incident Information
Fires continue to burn south east and north of Toolangi and east and north of Healesville. Residents are advised that fire remains active in these areas and need to be vigilant and aware of the localised change in conditions.
Controlled burning is under consideration in the Toolangi area and if conditions are deemed suitable, increased smoke and controlled fire activity should be expected.
Crews continued to work overnight on strategic controlled burning in the Mt Riddell vicinity and burns will continue throughout today. Residents can expect to see increased smoke and fire activity due to the burning being undertaken as part of the suppression strategies.
Communities in Healesville, Chum Creek, Badger Creek, Steels Creek, Dixons Creek, Yarra Glen, Toolangi and Castella are advised to remain alert to fire activity.
Multiple emergency services, including CFA, DSE, DPI, Parks Victoria, Tasmania Fire Services, Melbourne Water, Victoria Police, SES, and the Shire of Yarra Ranges, are continuing to focus on the protection of key community infrastructure, townships and water catchment in the Maroondah Region.
Residents can expect to see continued 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/
Community meetings: The following Community Meetings will be held today, Thursday 12th February 2009 –
Healesville – Healesville Memorial Hall, 237 Maroondah Highway, Healesville (Melways 270 D12), from 7:00pm. All are welcome.
Emergency relief centres are located at: Healesville Memorial Hall, Maroondah Highway Healesville
Resources committed to complex fire are: 100 fire trucks 300 personnel supported by 6 aircraft and multiple 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 or https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/