Posted on 02/18/2009 6:42:12 PM PST by naturalman1975
Victorian firefighters are continuing their battle to contain a large blaze in inaccessible country in the Wilsons Promontory National Park.
It is one of five blazes that firefighters are still trying to get on top of ahead of warmer and windy conditions forecast for Monday.
Department of Sustainability and Environment spokesman Stuart Ord said the Wilsons Promontory fire was continuing to be a challenge for firefighters.
The fire, which has burnt more than 12,000ha, is not threatening any private property, but Yanakie residents have been warned to expect smoke.
'Because of the rough terrain we can't get our firefighters to the edge of the fire, so it's still moving in a west to southwesterly direction,' Mr Ord said.
'We're bombing it from the air to make sure that Yanakie is safe.'
Firefighters are also throwing a lot of their resources around the East Kilmore-Murrindindi Complex fire - the state's largest blaze which is also threatening water catchments.
Mr Ord said about one third of resources were placed in that area and firefighters were trying to establish containment lines before the warmer weather.
Possible dry lightening strikes through the northwest of the state forecast for Thursday were also posing a concern.
Mr Ord said the north of the state was still very dry and there were fears the lightening could cause fresh outbreaks of fire.
Police resources in the bushfire recovery effort will be strengthened with the arrival of 150 NSW police officers on Thursday.
The members will support Victoria Police officers in the bushfire-affected areas of Marysville, Whittlesea and Kinglake.
They will help in manning road blocks, traffic duties and supporting local police in conducting proactive patrols.
On Sunday thousands of Victorians will gather in Melbourne and a string of bushfire-scorched townships as part of a national day of mourning for those killed.
Buckingham Palace has also confirmed Princess Anne will attend a service in Melbourne on Sunday and will also tour fire-ravaged towns.
The death toll from the devastating fires, which began on February 7, stands at 201 and authorities do not expect this figure to rise much higher.
I guess you can’t let it burn itself out. Nature needs fires.
We do let a lot of fires burn out - but not when doing so endangers life or property - especially life for obvious reasons.
The article said there was no current threat. First few sentences. I’m sure there are more than 200 reasons for you to want this to end though.
The current 'advice' for the fire I have been working on (it's lunch):
The current total fire size for the Kilmore East - Murrindindi Complex South Fire is approximately 75,744 hectares. CFA, DSE and Melbourne Water fire fighters together with crews from the Tasmanian, South Australian New South Wales, New Zealand and United States Fire Services continue to strengthen control lines today with 98 km's already achieved and a further 22km's underway.
The ongoing focus of Woori Yallock Incident Control Centre includes the protection of life, townships, key infrastructure, water catchments and areas of cultural, heritage and environmental significance. No communities within the complex are currently under threat however residents will experience varying levels of smoke and fire activity.
Maroondah: Fire activity is still present within control lines in the Mount Riddell and Mount Juliet areas east of Healesville. Controlled burning within these areas has continued overnight and firefighters are taking advantage of the cooler temperatures. Residents can expect smoke and flame activity from these fires and suppression strategies. No properties are currently under threat. Controlled burning north and east of Toolangi and west of Narbethong also continued overnight to strengthen control lines. Residents should expect smoke and flame activity in these areas however no properties are currently under threat. Crews will further patrol and black out other areas within the Maroondah Region today.
Yarra: Fire activity is still present within control lines in the O'Shannassy, Armstrong and Upper Yarra Dam catchments north east of Warburton, McMahons Creek and Reefton. No properties are under threat from these fires. Controlled burning within the O'Shannassy and Armstrong catchments has continued overnight. Fire fighters will further patrol and black out in the Upper Yarra Dam catchment in addition to a contained fire east of Big Pats Creek. Residents should continue to expect smoke and flame activity from these fires and suppression strategies.
Residents in the Yarra Valley including communities in the vicinity of Warburton, East Warburton, McMahons Creek, Reefton, Wesburn, Millgrove, Yarra Junction, Gladysdale, Powelltown, Launching Place, Don Valley, Hoddles Creek, Woori Yallock, Yellingbo, Seville, Wandin and McMahons Creek, may also be experiencing varying levels of smoke from these fires.
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.
There's nothing currently being threatened. That could change in minutes with a wind change.
Good Core Advice. Try to breathe during your lunch. Good luck, Godspeed, and God bless.
concrete and steel structures , built on top of wells with, high pressure water sprinkler systems ,running off of solar powered battery banks . Deep basements with insulated blast doors and lots of H2o contained therein .
Concrete and steel barns with the same sprinkler systems.
Det chord attached to all nearby tall trees .
Bunkers are a good idea, but we have massive water shortages here - a twelve year drought. That limits sprinklers, etc. Some people manage it with rainwater tanks, but it’s not always possible.
Yesterday was the first day we could smell the fires and we are almost 600kms west of the fires. The smoke particles in the air are changing the color of the sunset. So far we have been very lucky in SA where we normally have many fires, even in the best years.
this is why I was suggesting the attempt to locate well heads directly under , or within structures . Drill first then build. Solar and battery ,because in big fires all power lines from outside go down . You need to be able to flip a power system switch/handle and go from Line power to your battery/inverter power quickly . Responsible farmers/ranchers would set up a similar redundant system for the stock as well.
However , you can always release horses. They can usually outrun every fire. Maybe not these ...
Anyway , our hearts bleed for you mates . Beyond sad
far beyond tragic . I have to wonder : why does the Lord allow these things to happen ?
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