SUNDAY
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5.30PM
This Fairfax coverage will not be updated beyond this point tonight. Please check with the relevant links below to the NSWRFS, the CFA (Vic) and the CFS (SA) respectively for further updates.
Click here for LIVE radars, fire and weather information
VICTORIA
CFA - Emergency Contacts
- Victorian Bushfire Information Line: 1800 240 667
- http://emergency.vic.gov.au
One Victorian fire remains in Watch and Act status - the Goongerah Fire to the southeast and west of Goongerah.
There are currently 30 fires at Advice status, including the Northern Grampians Fire (Dadwell's Bridge, St Helens Plains) and Tallangatta Fire.
GOONGERAH-JOYS CREEK FIRE
Updated 2.14PM: This is a Watch and Act message issue by Department of Environment and Primary Industries for Goongerah and Martins Creek.Fire behaviour has decreased in the mild weather conditions. However there are multiple bushfires to the southeast and west of Goongerah. These bushfires are not yet under control.
Increased smoke and fire activity can be expected over the next few days as fire fighters undertake back burning operations. There is currently no power to the township of Goongerah. Power has been shut off due to fire impacting on the power lines.
Staying close to shelter is the safest option, in case conditions change again suddenly. Continue to stay informed and monitor conditions.
Bonang Road is closed. Road access is permitted for local and emergency vehicles only. Snowy River National Park including Yalmy Road is closed. Errinundra National Park is closed.
Lind National Park is closed.
Updated 11.25AM: This is an updated Advice message issued by Country Fire Authority for Halls Gap, Dadswells Bridge, Wartook and surrounding communities.
Firefighters have stopped the spread of the bushfire in Halls Gap, Dadswells Bridge, Wartook and surrounding areas. Fire activity has subsided. The bushfire is not yet under control, so you should monitor conditions and decide what you will do if the situation changes. Residents are no longer under any immediate threat.
Significant back burning operations are underway at the southern end of the Mount Difficult Range and will continue over the coming days to consolidate the southern edge of the fire.
Back burn operations are being conducted in 3 sections:
- Mount Difficult Road. This section is almost complete. Firefighters will continue to burn to the west today.
- Mount Zero Road. Will commence today in the Heatherlie Quarry and Oslers Track area.
- Mount Victory/Taylors Track to Syphon Road section
Smoke will be visible from nearby communities and roads.
The Western Highway is now open between Horsham and Ballarat. Some roads in the surrounding areas remain closed. Check VicRoads website for up to date information. The Grampians National Park is closed until noon Monday January 20, 2014.
GWM Water has asked Halls Gap residents to limit use of water to allow the treatment plant to regain capacity. Bottled water supplies are available at Halls Gap Service Station and Pomonal General Store.
The Relief Centre at Stawell will be closing today. The Horsham Relief Centre is now closed.
A Community Information Point is operating from 10.00am Sunday 19th January from the Horsham Senior Citizens Centre, Roberts Avenue.
Community meetings are confirmed for Sunday 19th January:
- 2.00pm - Dadswells Bridge, Dadswells Bridge Hall
- 4.00pm - Stawell, Grampians Community Health, 8 Patrick Street
- 6.00pm - Halls Gap, Parks Victoria Office - Mural Room
Updated 10AM: An Advice message is being issued by Country Fire Authority for Bullhead Creek, Fairyknowe, Noorongong, Tallangatta Valley, Tallangatta South.
There is reported fire activity in the TALLANGATTA SOUTH and the fire is currently not yet under control.
There is no threat to communities.Smoke will be visible from nearby communities and roads.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
CFS: Emergency contacts
- Bushfire Information Line: 1300 362 361
- www.cfs.sa.gov.au
In SA fires, the CFS is currently attending 37 incidents of which 31 are level one in severity, four (including the Bangor fire) are level two and two fires (the Eden Valley and Riverland Complex fires) are level three.
Updated 2.17PM: CFS advises that a large fire has occurred, between TRURO and EDEN VALLEY in the BAROSSA VALLEY.
Fire conditions have eased and the forward rate of spread has been halted. Whilst there is not an imminent threat to life or property, wind conditions are forecast to be gusty this afternoon. Therefore those living in, or travelling through the following suburbs: Truro, Keyneton, Graetztown, Towitta, Moculta, Eden Valley, Sanderston, and surrounding areas.
People in these areas should remain vigilant, and know what to do if the situation changes, and follow their Bushfire Survival Plan. Fire crews ARE still working in the area, so caution is advised on roadways and at all times.
Report any UNATTENDED fires to 000. More Updates will be provided as the situation changes.
Updated 4.55PM: The CFS Advises that a bushfire at Bangor in the Southern Flinders Ranges near Telowie Gorge, Wirrabara Forest, Wirrabara Township, Murraytown, and Melrose may threaten your safety.
The BANGOR fire is bounded by Bridle Track, Feibigs Road, Survey Road, Main North Road between Wirrabara and Melrose, Whitewell Road, Gordon Sanders Road, Snake Gully Road, Heaslips - J Wegners Road and Charcoal Road.
The fire has not significantly enlarged over the last twelve hours but is still not controlled. The fire is burning in forest and scrub in steep terrain and there are patches of scrub within the area that are still actively burning and conditions are continually changing. You should not enter this area as the roads may not be safe.
Residents are urged not to return to the area impacted by the fire until further advice from emergency services is provided regarding your safety to return to the area. The assessment of the fire affected area continues and work is being undertaken to make the area safer for residents to return.
The Horrocks Highway has now been re-opend to general traffic and drivers are urged to remain vigilant as fire crews are working in the area. Port Germein Gorge Road remains closed to all traffic as it is unsafe due to large trees that are still falling accross the road.
Check and follow your Bushfire Survival Plan and prepare for a bushfire in your area. If your plan is to leave or you are not prepared leave now.
NSW
NSWRFS: Emergency contacts
- Bushfire Information Line: 1800 679 737
- www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/dsp_content.cfm?cat_id=683
1000+ firefighters working on 87 #nswfires. 26 fires uncontained. Minnimbah and Minjary fires at Watch & Act. Info http://t.co/3QyPI84ofT
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 18, 2014
Numerous fires are still being fought across NSW. There are 87 fires listed as Active, two - Minjary Fire (Tumut) and Redbank Fire (Bathurst) - listed as Watch and Act and two others - Hells Hole Fire (Bathurst) and Minnimbah fire (Wagga Wagga) - listed as Emergency.
Yesterday this was a thriving pine plantation near #Humula. This is all that's left. #nswfires pic.twitter.com/HptfA82APt
— Alex McConachie (@alexmcconachie) January 19, 2014
Updated 4.14PM: An Emergency Warning is in place for the Minnimbah Fire.
The fire is morning in an easterly direction towards Carabost and is threatening properties.
Leave now if the path is clear in a south easterly direction towards Tumbarumba. It is not safe to stay.
Firefighters on the fire ground are experiencing deteriorating conditions under a south westerly wind change.
Spotovers are occurring and the fire intensity has increased.
The fire is currently more than 8000 hectares and is burning quickly and erratically.
A number of buildings have been destroyed in this fire. Crews are now entering fire affected areas and assessing whether these are homes.
Local road closures remain in place for Little Billabong and Tumbarumba Roads.
HELLS HOLE FIRE
Updated 4.30PM: An Emergency Warning has been issued for a bush fire burning out of control in the Copperhannia National Park area.
The Hells Hole Fire is burning in an easterly direction towards Trunkey.
An Emergency Alert Telephone Warning Message is being issued to residents advising them of the fire in the area.
MINJARY FIRE
Updated 3.30PM: A scrub fire is burning in the area of Gocup Road, Gocup, north-west of Tumut.
Firefighters aided by aircraft and heavy plant are working to protect properties and establish control lines around the Minjary Fire, which has now burnt more than 2600 hectares.
Stock losses have been reported and will be assessed in the coming hours.
Gocup Road remains closed between Tumut and Gundagai.
REDBANK FIRE
Updated 2PM: An out of control bush fire is burning in the Red Bank Road area, south east of Mount Ryan at Bathurst. This 300 hectare fire has entered nearby radiator pine plantations and is proving difficult to contain.
More than 60 firefighters, aided by aircraft and heavy machinery, are working to bring the fire under control. The redbank fire is just one of several dozen fires throughout the Central West at this time.