2009/2010 Fire Season - News

i have heard that the mallacota fires was infact an escpaed dse burn off hence not too much information and you would think after last years fires thye would have as much info of these fires as possible seems like they have learnt nothing as yet

Finally some information on the fires....
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ADVICE
Mallacoota - Mallacoota Road
Effective: 08/11/2009 13:00:00, Expires: 09/11/2009 07:00:00

Incident Information:
DSD advise that the fire activity in the Mallacoota area.
This fire in State Forest two kilometers west of the town is not yet controlled is approximately 530 ha in size.
69 DSE, Parks Victoria and CFA firefighers are working with three tankers, 16 slip-on units and two fixed wing aircraft.
The fire edge is currently quiet with no significant control issues at present. Crews are working on consolidating dozer control lines around the perimeter of the fire.
Smoke may still be visible from nearby communities and roads.

What to do:
If you are experiencing any symptoms that may be due to smoke exposure, the Department of Human Services advises people to seek medical advice or call Nurse on Call on 1300 606 024.

Additional Information:
Road closures: Betka Track north to Stony Peak, Betka Road at the Aerodrome turnoff and Minters Track.
Campground Closures: Shipwreck Creek Track and camping area.

Stay Informed: For information on fires in Victoria contact the Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) on freecall 1800 240 667. Listen to ABC / Local Radio. Callers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment can call textphone/telewriter (TTY) on 1800 122 969. Check www.cfa.vic.gov.au
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ADVICE
Cape Conran - Dock Inlet
Effective: 08/11/2009 13:00:00, Expires: 09/11/2009 08:00:00

Incident Information:
DSE advise that the fire activity in Cape Conran - Dock Inlet area is as follows:
This fire is Being Controlled.
DSE advises that there is fire activity in the Cape Conran area.
The fire is Coastal Park between Cape Conran and Bemm River.
Under the influence of sea breezes this afternoon, smoke is expected to affect the communities of Cabbage Tree and Marlo Plains and surrounding areas.
Smoke may still be visible from nearby communities and roads.

What to do:
If you are experiencing any symptoms that may be due to smoke exposure, the Department of Human Services advises people to seek medical advice or call Nurse on Call on 1300 606 024.

Additional Information:
Road closures: Road blocks have been established in the Cape Conran Coastal Park. The main roads from the Princess Highway and Marlo to Cape Conran remain open but motorists may encounter smoke.
Campground closures: Dock Inlet and Pearl Point areas. Campers at Cape Conran have been put on alert

Stay Informed: For information on fires in Victoria contact the Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) on freecall 1800 240 667. Listen to ABC / Local Radio. Callers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment can call textphone/telewriter (TTY) on 1800 122 969. Check www.cfa.vic.gov.au
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ADVICE
Cape Conran - Dock Inlet
Effective: 08/11/2009 17:30:00, Expires: 09/11/2009 08:00:00

Incident Information:
DSE advise that the fire activity in the Cape Conran area is as follows:
This fire is Being Controlled. The fire is in coastal park between Cape Conran and Bemm River and is currently 600 ha in size. Under the influence of sea breezes this afternoon, smoke is expected to affect the communities of Cabbage Tree, Marlo Plains and Manorina surrounding areas. Smoke may still be visible from nearby communities and roads.

What to do:
If you are experiencing any symptoms that may be due to smoke exposure, the Department of Human Services advises people to seek medical advice or call Nurse on Call on 1300 606 024.

Additional Information:
Road closures: Roads and tracks in the coastal park south of the Princess Highway, east of the Conran - Cabbage Tree Road and west of the Sydenham Inlet Road are closed.

Campground closures: Dock Inlet and Pearl Point areas. Campers at Cape Conran have been put on alert but are currently not under any threat.

Stay Informed: For information on fires in Victoria contact the Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) on freecall 1800 240 667. Listen to ABC / Local Radio. Callers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment can call textphone/telewriter (TTY) on 1800 122 969. Check www.cfa.vic.gov.au
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ADVICE
Mallacoota - Mallacoota Road
Effective: 08/11/2009 17:30:00, Expires: 08/11/2009 17:30:00

Incident Information:
DSE advise that the fire activity in the Mallacoota area has subsided. This fire is Contained. DSE advises that the fire activity in the Mallacoota area has subsided. The fire has been contained at 523 ha. Crews will now focus on consolidating control lines and blacking out operations. Smoke may still be visible from nearby communities and roads.

What to do:
If you are experiencing any symptoms that may be due to smoke exposure, the Department of Human Services advises people to seek medical advice or call Nurse on Call on 1300 606 024.

Additional Information:
Stay Informed: For information on fires in Victoria contact the Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) on freecall 1800 240 667. Listen to ABC / Local Radio. Callers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment can call textphone/telewriter (TTY) on 1800 122 969. Check www.cfa.vic.gov.au
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And regarding fire restrictions, here is the website to check if/when they start or have started. http://cfaonline.cfa.vic.gov.au/mycfa/Show?pageId=showFrImagePublic

My area is already in the started zone.

Today' Fire Weather Briefing from BOM.

Fire Weather Briefing for Victoria
Issued at 10:47 am EDT on Monday 9 November 2009.

Estimates Today:
Northerlies this morning in central parts will drop out this afternoon. Not
noted on the estimates but there will be a S/SE 15/20km/h seabreeze near the
coast in central and western parts this afternoon. Melbourne Airport upper air
trace is currently coming in and indicates any surface inversion has now
disappeared and a reasonable depth of moisture so RH values for this afternoon
look OK. Otherwise estimates look reasonable for this afternoon.

Observational Network Status:
Mt Baw Baw AWS is currently offline, it will be visited by a Bureau Technician
this week.

Weather Situation:
A high pressure system over the Tasman Sea will move northwards today before a
weak cold front brushes Tasmania at night. On Tuesday a new high will move from
south of the Bight towards Tasmania then it will remain slow moving near
Tasmania through until Thursday. A weak inland low pressure trough will dip
into northern Victoria on Tuesday then persist until Thursday.

24 Hour Rainfall to 9am:
Nothing significant.

Weather Today:
Fine. A mainly sunny day. Very warm to hot with light to moderate northeast to
northerly winds and afternoon coastal sea breezes.

Now 5 "going" fires as at 4.30pm today.

Orbost - 800ha
Gormandale - 5ha
Point Nepean (5km West of Portsea) - TBA
Buangor (South East of Ararat) - 1ha
Mount Disappointment/Harpers Creek (10km North of Whittlesea) 0.1ha

Quite a number of advices current from the CFA/DSE atm:
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ADVICE
Willung and surrounds
Effective: 09/11/2009 03:15:00, PM
Expires: 09/11/2009 06:15:00, PM

Incident Information:
CFA advise that there is fire activity in the Willung and surrounds area. This fire is not yet under control. This message applies to the towns of Willung and Hiamdale Smoke may still be visible from nearby communities Willung and Hiamdale Smoke will be visible from Laittys Road and Willung South Road, residents in these areas need to be alert to the presence of fire in the area.
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ADVICE
Cape Conran - Dock Inlet
Effective: 09/11/2009 12:00:00, Expires: 09/11/2009 16:00:00

Incident Information:
DSE advise that the following re the Cape Conran - Dock Inlet fire:
The fire in Coastal Park between Cape Conran and Bemm River in East Gippsland remains at approximately 800 hectares in size. Crews are focusing on consolidating control lines, particularly on the northern edge of the fire.
As the day warms up, more backburns will be conducted which will generate more smoke in the area. There are currently 72 firefighters working with two tankers, 19 slip-on units, three dozers, one fixed wing aircraft and three helicopters on this fire Smoke is expected to affect the communities of Cape Conran, Cabbage Tree, Marlo Plains, Manorina and surrounding areas. Smoke from this fire is also visible in other areas of East Gippsland.

What to do: If you are experiencing any symptoms that may be due to smoke exposure, the Department of Human Services advises people to seek medical advice or call Nurse on Call on 1300 606 024.

Additional Information:

Road closures: Roads and tracks in the Coastal Park south of the Princes Highway, east of the Conran-Cabbage Tree Road and west of the Sydenham Inlet Road are closed. The main roads from the Princes Highway and Marlo to Cape Conran remain open, but motorists may encounter smoke. Please slow down and turn head lights on in smoky conditions.

Campground closures: Dock Inlet and Pearl Point areas. Campers at Cape Conran have been put on alert, but are currently not under any threat.
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ADVICE
Midlands Fire District
Effective: 09/11/2009 12:30:00, Expires: 16/11/2009 08:00:00

Incident Information:
DSE advises that planned burns conducted by the Department of Sustainability and Environment over the past fortnight will continue to burn out within control lines and generate smoke this week.

Burns in the following areas are under control but will continue to burn out.

Ballan: Binks Rd, north of the town
Beaufort: Swamp Track, north of Waterloo
Blackwood: Barrys Reef and Whalebone burns
Brisbane Ranges National Park: Track, near Mt Wallace
Daylesford: Doctors Gully, Cobblers Gully, Rings Rd and Middleton
Greendale: Struck Oil Track and Greenhills burns, north of Greendale
Linton: Shellback Rd and Nuggetty Gully burns, north of Linton
Mount Macedon: Macedon Heaps

Control lines are well-established and all burns will be patrolled during the day by DSE crew.
Smoke may still be visible from nearby communities and roads.

What to do:
If you are experiencing any symptoms that may be due to smoke exposure, the Department of Human Services advises people to seek medical advice or call Nurse on Call on 1300 606 024.
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Willung and surrounds
09/11/2009 17:45:00
Incident Information: CFA advise that the fire activity in the Willung and surrounds area has subsided. This fire is now Contained Dozer containment lines have been established around the perimeter of the fire; CFA, DSE & HVP crew have been patrolling fire edge and blacking out, crews will patrol the area overnight and continue blacking out operations. This message applies to the towns of Willung & Hiamdale Smoke may still be visible from nearby communities and roads.
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Cape Conran - Dock Inlet
09/11/2009 16:30:00
Incident Information: DSE advise the following regarding the Cape Conran - Dock Inlet fire: This fire is Going. The fire in Coastal Park between Cape Conran and Bemm River in East Gippsland remains at approximately 800 hectares in size. Crews are focusing on consolidating control lines, particularly on the northern edge of the fire. As the day warms up, more backburns will be conducted which will generate more smoke in the area. There are currently 72 firefighters working with two tankers, 19 slip-on units, three dozers, one fixed wing aircraft and three helicopters on this fire Smoke is expected to affect the communities of Cape Conran, Cabbage Tree, Marlo Plains, Manorina and surrounding areas. Smoke from this fire is also visible in other areas of East Gippsland.
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Point Nepean National Park
09/11/2009 17:30:00
Incident Information: DSE advise the following: This fire is Going. A planned burn in Point Nepean National Park has breached control lines this afternoon. The planned burning was being carried out around the Point Nepean Quarantine Station (Melway ref 166 B4) using aerial ignition due to the possibility of unexploded ammunition in the area. The fire is not posing a threat to communities at present, however, a possible south-easterly wind change this evening could result in smoke travelling towards the Bay. Two waterbombing aircraft and a D4 bulldozer are being used to suppress the fire. All visitors to the park have been escorted out by Parks Victoria and DSE staff and the Point Nepean National Park is closed. Smoke may still be visible from nearby communities and roads.
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Troubles me when their own plans get out of control.

That's the second out of control planned burn in as many days isn't it? I heard on 3AW this morning a CFA person saying controlled burns are going to continue but they are "continuing to monitor the situation" and will have to cease before this weekend given the high temps/winds expected. I know they have to do it, but it's a worry...

They also said they're letting the Dock Inlet fire burn it's way out of the mostly inaccessible areas it's burning in currently, therefore it will be a few days before it's officially under control and many more hectares will burn yet.

Fires at Gormandale & nth of Whittlesea are now under control.

3 fires still going, Point Nepean, Orbost and near Loch Sport.

2.5ha fire burning near Hoddles Creek.
No alerts issued as yet.

5 fires on the go @ 4pm.

* Orbost - 1200ha
* Murchison (Weir Road) - 70ha (New Fire)
* Point Nepean - 14ha
* Happy Valley (5km S of Linton) - 5ha
* Mt Disappointment-Chalmers - 0.2ha

Note that the Hoddles Creek fire has been contained - 2.5ha

Please note that the Mt Disappointment fire is a new fire, the one listed yesterday was 10km N of Whittlesea. That fire is under control. This new fire is 12km N of Whittlesea. Suss indeed!!!

Fire Weather Warning
for the Mallee forecast district.

Issued at 4:20 pm EDT on Tuesday 10 November 2009.
Wednesday:

Severe Fire Danger [50-74] is forecast for the following forecast district:
Mallee
Maximum temperatures around 41 degrees, relative humidity down to 7% and winds averaging 20 km/h are expected. CFA and DSE advise that some fires will be uncontrollable and fast moving.

The CFA advises that you

* Monitor the weather at www.bom.gov.au and the fire situation at www.cfa.vic.gov.au or through ABC local radio and television.
* Call '000' if you see flames.
* Check your bushfire survival plan now.
* For more information on fire danger ratings and actions refer to www.cfa.vic.gov.au
* Prepare. Act. Survive.

The next warning will be issued by 5:00 am EDT Wednesday.

A couple of new fires on the go. Both within kms of each other about 7km west of Buxton. Not far from the Black Saturday fire path.

Point Nepean National Park
11/11/2009 14:15:00

Incident Information: DSE advise that there is fire activity in the Point Nepean area. The fire is still classified as going although there is no active flame and the fire has not increased in size for more than a day. Crews are continuing to patrol, black out and strengthen containment lines on the northern and western flanks of the fire. The southern edge of the fire is not accessible to onground firefighters due to the presence of unexploded ammunition. To the south and east boundary, the fire is being contained via the use of aircraft, with a plane expected to lay lines of chemical retardant this afternoon. Additional containment lines are being constructed ahead of expected warmer weather this weekend. Infra red technology is being used to identify hotspots and direct the efforts of crews on the ground. The fire is not posing a threat to communities at present and the Mornington Peninsula National Park is not affected by fire.
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Mallacoota
11/11/2009 12:00:00

Incident Information: DSE advise that there is fire activity in the Mallacoota Mallacoota Rd area. The Mallacoota Rd fire remains contained. Crews are focussing on patrolling and blacking out operations. Smoke may still be visible from nearby communities and roads.
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Cape Conran Dock Inlet
11/11/2009 12:00:00

Incident Information: DSE advise that there is fire activity in the Cape Conran - Dock Inlet area: The fire is going. The fire in Coastal Park between Cape Conran and Bemm River in East Gippsland and is approx 1600 ha in size. Backburning operations are underway and will be progressed this afternoon for as long as weather conditions remain favourable. Burning on the eastern side of the fire will create more smoke in the Bemm River area. The fire remains within the perimeter and is not causing any control issues. Smoke is expected to continue to affect the communities of Cape Conran, Cabbage Tree, Marlo Plains, Manorina, Bemm River and surrounding areas. Smoke from this fire is also visible in other areas of East Gippsland.

Sniper wrote:A couple of new fires on the go. Both within kms of each other about 7km west of Buxton. Not far from the Black Saturday fire path.

hmm saw that 3 fires withing 6km very suss

lightning activity tonight could spark some new fires time will tell.

Kaarimba
14/11/2009 18:44:00
Incident Information: CFA Advise that the fire at Kaarimba is now under control. The message applies to the vacinity of Kaarimba. Smoke may still be visible from nearby communities and road.
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Cape Conran Dock-Inlet
14/11/2009 18:00:00
Incident Information: DSE advise that the fire activity in Cape Conran Dock-Inlet area is contained. This fire is Contained. The fire in the Cape Conran Coastal Park between Cape Conran and Bemm River in East Gippsland is now contained within a 41km perimeter of control lines with a total area of 4630 hectares. There are currently 107 personnel, 3 tankers, 25 slip-on units and 3 dozers, 1 fixed wing aircraft and 3 helicopters working on this fire. Crews will continue to monitor fire activity, consolidate control lines and black out any hot spots over coming days. Reconnaissance aircraft and fire tower personnel will regularly monitor any further fire activity within the control lines. Forward Looking Infra Red (FLIR) technology has been used today to locate any hot spots within the fire. The fire perimeter is on existing roads and tracks within the coastal park. Smoke may continue to affect the communities of Cape Conran, Cabbage Tree, Marlo Plains, Manorina, Bemm River and surrounding areas. Smoke from this fire is also visible in Orbost and other areas of East Gippsland and may continue to be for a number of weeks.

Fire Weather Briefing for Victoria
Issued at 11:06 am EDT on Wednesday 18 November 2009.

Estimates Today:
The fire weather forecast issued this morning should provide reasonable guidance this afternoon. Only updates are that the risk of high based thunderstorms is really for the over night period and although the overall risk is low, the region is Mallee, Northern Country and extending into the North East tomorrow. Refer to the Thunderstorm guidance chart later this morning for latest guidance. Also winds may be more N/NW in north central parts.

Weather Situation:
A high pressure system will lie over the Tasman Sea on Wednesday and Thursday. A weak low pressure trough will cross southern Victoria on Thursday. A stronger trough of low pressure will reach western Victoria later on Friday before extending over the remainder of the State on Saturday.

24 Hour Rainfall to 9am:
Nothing of significance

Weather Today:
Early morning fog patches in the south. A generally dry day although the risk of late thunderstorms in the west. Hot inland with light to moderate northeast to northerly winds, freshening in the west but milder near the coast with afternoon sea breezes.

Today is quite a difficult day with quite fresh winds, a stalling wind change and aftenoon thunderstorms, mainly dry based, with increasing lightning. Storms most likely over the dividing range so some concerns there.

Humidity rises tomorrow so relief not far off and a generous rain event over the weekend will snuff out anything that develops.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Victoria

Fire Weather Briefing for Victoria
Issued at 10:46 am EDT on Thursday 19 November 2009.

Estimates Today:
Difficult situation today. Shallow wind change is moving along the coast faster
than forecast in the estimates, refer to latest wind change chart for guidance.
Forecast windspeeds look OK in the east but actual winds in the west may end up
lighter than forecast today. Temperatures away from the influence of the SW
windchange look OK. Likely that Central and West Gippsland Districts have now
passed their highest fire danger period due to wind change.

Observational Network Status:
Frankston AWS will be worked on today and may be off air for several hours

Weather Situation:
A high pressure system is stationary over the Tasman Sea while a weak low
pressure trough will move across western and southern Victoria today. A
stronger trough of low pressure will reach western Victoria later on Friday and
then extend slowly across central areas of the State on Saturday and through
the far northeast on Sunday. A new high pressure system will ridge across the
Bight late Sunday.

24 Hour Rainfall to 9am:
Nothing of significance apart from Cowwarr Weir in West Gippsland who reported
8mm this morning.

Weather Today:
A hot to very hot and partly cloudy day with isolated showers and
thunderstorms, mainly about the dividing ranges. Freshening north to northwest
winds turning southwesterly near the coast during the day and westerly in the
east inland.

Just a few small grass fires in the region with Millgrove near Warburton and Pt Lonsdale being the closest but well under control.