Vic: Fourteen deaths in Victorian fires
08 Feb 2009 12:21 AM
FOURTEEN KILLED IN VICTORIAN FIRES
Deaths:
Six in Kinglake
Four at Wandong
Three at Strathewen
One in Clonbinane
Police fear the toll may reach the 40s
Losses:
At least 100 houses
Fighting the fires
Fire fighters: 3,192 (552 DSE, 2500 CFA, 140 MFB)
Fire vehicles: 342 (142 DSE, 200 CFA)
Bulldozers: 23
Aircraft: 37
Weather:
State max 47.9 at Avalon
Melbourne max 46.4
winds up to 116km/h at Swan Hill
Fires:
KILMORE
Fourteen killed in Kinglake, Wandong, Strathewen and Clonbinane, northwest of Melbourne.
More than 60 houses reported to be lost
At least 30,000 hectares burnt out, started around four kilometres east of Kilmore and winds pushed it 30km to the east through Whittlesea, Wandong and into Kinglake. Was also threatening Broadford late Saturday night.
Communities under direct threat include Broadford, Broadford East in the area of O'Gradys Road, South of Broadford, Broadford - Wondong/Sunday Creek Road, Reedy Creek and Tyaak.
HORSHAM
At least three houses, the Horsham Golf Club, several sheds and a Dimboola Fire Brigade truck destroyed.
The Remlaw fire burnt out more than 5700 hectares with urgent threat messages issued for the communities of Haven, McKenzie Creek, Bungalally and Green Lake to the west of Horsham City.
Fire jumped the Western Highway and impacted Drung Drung in Horsham's east. Threat downgraded by 8pm.
CHURCHILL
Potential threat to Loy Yang power station and also to communities of Devon North, Yarram and Langsbrough on the Gippsland coast. Ripped through 600 hectares of pine forests in one hour.
BUNYIP
Broke containment lines overnight, forcing ground attack firefighters to retreat.
Residents evacuated from nursing homes, reports of house lost in Labertouche, ember attacks also on Garfield North, Tonimbuk, Robin Hood, Drouin West, Buln Buln, Tarago, Jindivick, Jindivick North, Longwarry, Longwarry North, and Drouin.
At 7pm an urgent threat message was issued for the communities of Nilma, Darnum and Warragul because of ember attack and heavy smoke.
DARGO
Alpine fire in East Gippsland approximately 650 hectares in size. While not initially a direct threat to property, the communities of Bullumwaal, Mount Taylor, Clifton and Sarsfield were on alert.
COLERAINE
One man protecting his home suffers burns to 50 per cent of his body.
Fire crossed the Princes Highway between Danedite Road and Johnstons Road, heading north east towards Pomborneit North also threatening residents of Scollers Road, Carters Roads Settlement and Swan Marsh.
At 6pm fire was said to be contained. Fire burnt through 770 hectares.
REDESDALE
The grass fire that started nine kilometres west of Redesdale, south of Lake Eppalock, is estimated to be over 10,000 hectares in size. The fire has spread approximately 10km in a south easterly direction to Annex Lane south of Sidonia.
Residents of Baynton, Glenhope and in the vicinity of Franklins Road, Randalls Lane, Dead Dog Lane and Heathcote Spring Plains Road, may be impacted directly by this fire, which is now burning in a north easterly direction.
Two hundred and thirty-five CFA and DSE personnel are fighting the fire including 43 tankers and 3 bulldozers.
MURRINDINDI
The Murrindindi Mill fire in the Mount Despair State Forest burning in a north easterly direction. Communities of Taggerty, Acheron, Thornton, Rubicon, Snobs Creek, Eildon, Alexandra and Molesworth warned to remain on high alert.
YARRA GLEN
30ha fire threatens vineyards.
WANDONG
Grass & scrub fire, burning 1 kilometre south of Wandong.
Estimated to be over 1000 hectares in size.
Coommunities of Wandong, Wallan, Wallan East, Eden Park and Whittlesea, Humevale, Bruces Creek, Upper Plenty, Kinglake West, Phesant Creek, Smiths Gully, Kinglake, Flowerdale, Glenburn and Hurstbridge under threat.
