Vic: Firefighters work to contain blaze in Victoria's east
04 Feb 2009 8:44 AM
MELBOURNE, Feb 4 AAP - Firefighters are working to contain a bushfire burning out of control in remote country in Victoria's east ahead of dangerous fire conditions forecast later in the week.
The fire, one of about 60, began on Tuesday after a series of lightning strikes across the state.
Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) state duty officer Dennis Ward said the fire burning near the tiny community of Nariel, south of Corryong, was expected to be contained by late Wednesday.
Several aircraft will also work to extinguish the flames.
"The fire is in steep remote rugged country difficult to access, so most of the containment line work is being done by hand," Mr Ward told AAP.
"We're very keen to get containment to get around this fire.
"Certainly there's some work to do today, but we're keen to get around it ahead of the weather getting hotter and drier as this week progresses."
Mr Ward urged residents to avoid complacency and remain vigilant for fire outbreaks.
"The week of hot dry weather we had last week has certainly dried out the bush, not only rural land but also around metropolitan areas around Melbourne," he said.
"The message is for people to be very very careful - it doesn't take much to start a fire in these conditions."
