Awareness Message – Mitta Little Snowy Creek Fire 5.30 pm 13/02/2009
Awareness Message – Mitta Little Snowy Creek Fire 5.30 pm
13/02/2009
Incident Information
The Mitta Little Snowy Creek fire is burning in steep and rugged terrain mid way between Mitta and Mt Beauty. Burning in thick regrowth forest from a 2003 fuel reduction burn, it has slowly grown in size today to approximately 380 hectares in size. Crews expect it to be fully contained by later tonight.
This fire was located yesterday, near Dorchap Range track and Trappers Gap Road, west of the Dorchap Range (CFA NE Map reference Map 300:H13).
Favourable winds have resulted in relatively quiet fire behaviour and this morning's breech of the northern containment line has now been secured.
DSE and Parks Victoria fire fighting crews have worked throughout today constructing three containment and fall back lines around this fire. Hand trails and dozer lines have been reinforced with significant air support today. The Mt Beauty airbase was used to support this fire attack, so residents around Mt Beauty area may have noticed significant aircraft activity, including the Erickson sky crane.
This fire is not currently posing a threat to the surrounding Mitta, Mt Beauty, Tawonga or Eskdale communities. However residents are advised that there may still be significant smoke visible but this is part of the controlled burn operations that are helping to secure the fire edge.
Residents in these areas need to remain vigilant and should listen to ABC radio for further updates and advice.
Core Advice
There may be increased amounts of smoke in the area from this fire.
Road users are advised to take extra care as road travel may be hazardous due to low visibility from smoke.
Even though this fire does not currently pose a threat, people in high risk bushfire areas are reminded to have a bushfire survival plan ready to implement during the summer period.
Continue to listen to ABC or local radio for updates on this fire.
Additional Information
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