THE ABERFELDY bushfire is again burning out of control as temperatures rise, prompting the Department of Sustainability and Environment to issue advice for Walhalla, Erica and Rawson.
Update: The advice message has been removed from the CFA website.
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The DSE and CFA websites have advised residents of the area that fire activity has increased and a large amount of smoke is visible.
The fire is moving east and creating spot fires.
Water-bombing aircraft are being used to fight the blaze.
The fire started last month and was first brought under control in the area on January 25.
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A 75-year-old Aberfeldy man has been charged with starting the fire.
Up-to-date bushfire information can be found on the CFA website.
Aberfeldy fire ‘being controlled’
12.47pm, 25 Jan 2013.
THE DEPARTMENT of Sustainability and Environment has advised residents of Walhalla, Erica, Rawson, Parkers Corner and other towns near the Aberfeldy bushfire the fire “is being controlled.”
Image: A map of the Aberfeldy – Donnellys bushfire as of 9.40am this morning.
Additional media: 18/1, 12.40am.
A photo of the smoke from near Licola yesterday by Amy Schwartz: (Click for larger image.)
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Additional media: 17/1, 8.30pm.
TRFM Gippsland News host Greg Allen sent in this photo of smoke visible from Traralgon: (Click for larger image.)
Related: Police investigating possible suspicious activity before Aberfeldy fire
Smoke may be visible from some towns near the fire and residents are still advised to monitor conditions and check their bushfire survival plans.
The advice applies to Walhalla, Erica, Rawson, Parkers Corner, Coongulla, Dawson, Glenmaggie, Heyfield, Licola, Seaton, Toner, Glenmaggie Point, Aberfeldy.
The bushfire had reached 69,800 hectares in size at 11.20 this morning.
Anyone experiencing symptoms of smoke exposure is advised to seek medical advice to call Nurse on Call on 1300 606 024.
Up-to-date bushfire information can be found on the CFA website.
Control lines constructed as bushfire threat returns for Walhalla, Erica, Rawson
25 Jan 2013, 4.44pm.
THE COUNTRY Fire Authority has been burning off along Walhalla-Cowwarr road today as Baw Baw towns face a fresh threat from the Aberfeldy bushfire.
Community meetings were held for residents of Walhalla, Erica, Rawson and Parkers Corner today and the Baw Baw Shire Council is urging people to prepare fire plans.
No total fire ban has been declared for tomorrow yet but the CFA has issued a “very high” fire danger across the state with high temperatures forecasted. Fire restrictions may still be in place.
Bushfire relief centres have been established in Sale at the Gippsland Regional Recreation Reserve, Cobains Road, and relief centres in Traralgon, Little Theatre, Corner of Grey and Kay Streets, and Moe, Moe Town Hall, Albert Street, will be open from 8am.
Anyone leaving the area is advised to tell the Erica CFA that they have left on 5165 3318, to register with the Red Cross at ant relief centre or by calling 1800 727 077, and to take ID, Centrelink cards, some cash, medications, mobiles and chargers and other essentials.
The Moe relief centre may be opened early if an ‘Act Now’ warning message is issued.
Residents are advised to not rely on SMS warnings and to stay updated through ABC Gippsland radio, 100.7FM, and the CFA website.
The Baw Baw Shire Council has also activated its Twitter account to provide emergency information. The account is @bawbawcouncil.
The Bushfire Information Hotline can be reached on 1800 240 667.
The West Gippsland Regional Library Corporation’s mobile library service will not visit Rawson tomorrow because of the bushfire danger.
Walhalla, Rawson, Erica ‘not under direct threat’ from bushfire
18 Jan 2013, 10.10am.
WALHALLA, Rawson and Erica have had their Watch and Act warnings lifted as the Aberfeldy bushfire moves east.
A CFA spokesperson told The Warragul Citizen this morning the fire is moving east, away from the towns.
The spokesperson said the towns are presently “not under direct threat”, though this could change during the day.
A Watch and Act warning was issued for the area last night but no emergency warnings apply now.
Roads to Walhalla are open but the town’s Facebook page is asking anyone who does not need to visit to avoid the area.
The fire is now 20,500 hectares in size and a total fire ban is in place across Gippsland today.
There is a possibility that a wind change later today could change conditions for the area. Up-to-date bushfire information can be found at the CFA website.
Watch and Act issued for Walhalla, Erica, Rawson and area
17 Jan 2013, 11.50pm.
THE CFA has issued a Watch and Act warning for Walhalla, Rawson and area as a large, fast-moving bushfire moves toward the towns.
The fire authority’s website says the Aberfeldy – Donnelys fire, presently 4,200 hectares in size, is heading south-east while creating spot fires approximately 2-3 kilometres ahead.
Ember activity could increase with a wind change early in the morning.
The fire is out of control and could reach Licola in the early hours of the morning.
The CFA advises residents of Licola and surrounds to consider leaving the area as soon as possible as road closures are likely.
The CFA says the fire could affect Walhalla, Erica, Rawson, Coongulla, Coopers Creek, Cowwarr, Glengarry, Glenmaggie, Heyfield, Licola, Parkers Corner, Seaton, Toongabbie, Glengarry North, Maiden Town, and Mormon Town from 6am tomorrow morning.
An Emergency Relief Centre has been established at the Sale Baptist Church, Princes Highway Sale, opposite Cobains Road.
Advice from the CFA website:
A total fire ban has been announced for Gippsland tomorrow.
Up-to-date bushfire information can be found at the CFA website.
Out-of-control bushfire burns between Walhalla and Aberfeldy
17 January 2013, 5.33pm.
THE COUNTRY Fire Authority has advised the public not to enter the area north of Walhalla as an out-of-control bushfire burns near Aberfeldy.
The fire is spotting up to one kilometre from the main front and has caused the closure of roads at Matlock, the corner of Walhalla and Warburton-Woods Point Roads, the Thomson Valley Road and the corner of Binns and Walhalla Road north of Walhalla.
The CFA has advised campers and visitors to the area to evacuate immediately.
Smoke may be visible from surrounding towns and can even be seen faintly from some elevated parts of Warragul.
The fire is three kilometres east of the Thomson Dam.
Advice from the CFA website:
The fire comes ahead of a total fire ban across Gippsland tomorrow.
Up-to-date bushfire information can be found at the CFA website.
This article will be updated as more information comes to hand.
Bushfire at Donnely Creek closes Thomson Valley Road
Jan 17, 3.40pm.
THOMSON Valley Road in the Baw Baw National Park has been closed because of a bushfire at Donnely Creek.
The CFA Warnings and Incidents website says a fire 250 hectares in size is presently going in the area and is being attended by fire crews.
A VicRoads spokesperson told The Warragul Citizen the road was closed by the Baw Baw Shire Council in response to the bushfire risk.
The fire comes ahead of a total fire ban across Gippsland tomorrow.
More information will be published as it comes to hand.
For the most up-to-date bushfire information, visit the CFA website.
I Noelene Smart, lived on a farm at Denison on the Maffra -Rosedale Road l moved into Sale in 1980. Kept your Faith with you and also have hope that the Heavens open up and let the Rain pour down and wash the fire away. Heyfield is the best town you could ever shop at and Bank. Noelene Smart Wyoming New South Wales 2250
I heard on the radio it’s now at 75,000 hectares. 🙁