Joint Media Release CFA/DSE 05:00am 12/02/2009
Joint Media Release CFA/DSE
BACKBURNING EFFORTS TO CONTAIN FIRE FRONTS
12/02/2009
Thursday, 12 February 2009, 05:00am
BACKBURNING EFFORTS TO CONTAIN FIRE FRONTS
The Yea – Murrindindi fire complex is burning south of Alexandra and is experiencing more moderate conditions. This fire is estimated to be approximately 110,000 hectares in size.
Strategic control lines will be built and backburning conducted on the southern and eastern edges to contain potential spread of the fire. Equipment including dozers have been sent to affected areas to assist with containment efforts.
The Bunyip Ridge fire and the Maroondah Yarra fire complex are more than 20km apart and every effort is being made to contain the separate fronts.
The Bunyip Ridge fire is burning in the Bunyip State Park and State Forest areas and is estimated to be approximately 25,000 hectares in size.
Backburning will be conducted on the northern edge to prevent the Bunyip Ridge fire moving north towards the Maroondah Yarra fire complex.
As a result of the increased backburning efforts, it is possible residents within the Gembrook, Powelltown, Neerim Junction and Tonimbuk areas may notice smoke.
Combined DSE and CFA crews will be working on this during the rest of this week and through the weekend.
Interstate and overseas fire fighters will be deployed to work on a number of smaller fires in between the Maroondah Yarra fire complex and Bunyip State Forest.
The containment lines will aim to protect water catchments within close vicinity to each of the fire fronts.
Fire crews are taking advantage of the milder weather and good progress has been made in constructing containment lines.
Residents are reminded that all official information about fires in the area can be accessed via the CFA or DSE websites, the VBIL or ABC radio. Any residents seeing flames are encouraged to call 000.
Bunyip State Park is closed to all vehicles except emergency services. For information on road closures, visit https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/
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/