CFA Awareness Update on the Fires

With Mount Buller within proximity to the Yarra Vally area, it comes as no surprise that the surrounding areas of Mt Buller have been advised to remain vigilant to the fires being battled not far from them.

This from the CFA website:

Incident Information

The Kilmore East – Murrindindi Complex North fire is still going and is currently 164,180 ha in size.

Fire activity still has the potential to increase considerably today, driven by strong winds ahead of a change with possible storms. Residents are urged to be prepared for potentially hazardous conditions, especially in areas facing the north-eastern front of the fire.

The forecast today is for mostly cloudy skies with northerly winds strengthening mid-day ahead of a gusty west to southwesterly change in the evening. Patchy rain or showers are expected to develop from mid-afternoon and increasing after the change.

Those conditions may lead to serious fire danger for communities along the north-eastern side of this fire, including: Jamieson to Woods Point areas, Howqua / Macs Cove, Goughs Bay and Mountain Bay.

These communities are not presently under any direct threat. However, residents living in isolated areas with very limited road access should be prepared for this potential threat to arrive today.  Residents are encouraged to activate their bushfire plan well ahead of any fire, smoke or wind risk. Travel in bushfire areas is very dangerous. If you do not need to travel it is recommended that you don’t.

Residents need to be aware that those strong winds may cause roads to be blocked by fallen trees or power lines, as well as rapidly developing fire conditions.

Back burning was conducted overnight in the Rocky Peak area on Taylors Creek Road and in the vicinity of Dingo Track to Big River. Fire is still active in the area north of Mt. Torbreck.

Should conditions worsen during the day fire fighters will change their fire fighting activities to protecting assets such as towns and homes.

 Core Advice

• Residents need to be aware that those strong winds may cause roads to be blocked by fallen trees or power lines, as well as rapidly developing fire conditions.
• There may be smoke in the area from this fire.
• 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.
• Residents are urged to keep a battery powered radio tuned to ABC 774 for updates of fire activity.

It was only 2 years ago that fires came within meters of the Mt Buller Resort Villiage, the vegetation in the area has revived remarkably and alot of the area remains extremely dry and heavily dense with fuel.

Hopefully today’s conditions do not escalate the situation further and that Australia’s very strong team of firefighters are able to keep the fire from spreading. We have all seen how overwhelming the fires have been and it does not take much for fires to burn out of control.

Fingers Crossed.