Upper Murray fire: Community meetings planned, warning downgraded

Reports of the successful retention of the recently upgraded facilities comes after confirmation the town's pub had also been saved, but earlier today Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp confirmed up to 15 structures, many of them homes, have been lost.

In a Facebook post tonight, the clubrooms have survived, "contrary to initial reports".

5.25pm Wednesday: Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp has confirmed this afternoon up to 15 structures have been lost in the Cudgewa area.

The bushfire, which started on the NSW side of the Murray River on Monday night, jumped the river and quickly spread into places such as Cudgewa and the outskirts of Corryong.

The fire burnt to the edge of the Corryong Recreation Reserve, the venue for the town's annual Man From Snowy River Bush Festival.

The fire has grown to more than 120,000 hectares with another round of extreme weather conditions forecast for Saturday with temperatures up to 43 degrees predicted.

Lightning strikes have started new fires which are being water-bombed and the fire has impacted the Shelley Plantation today.

The fire has travelled in a south-easterly direction today on a large front towards Tom Groggin Station.

There are over 250 fire crew and support staff working on the fire.

The Mt Mittamatite communications tower has been damaged and there are NBN outages in Corryong.

Power remains out in the Corryong area.

Green Valley fire Talmalmo update, 1.30pm Wednesday: NSW Rural Fire Service is continuing to strengthen containment lines on the Green Valley fire.

Overnight crews worked with landholders to ensure property protection was maintained in the area.

RFS incident controller Mathew Smith asked all residents to remain vigilant and ensure they were aware of fire conditions in the Jingellic and River Road area.

"The weather conditions on the fire ground at present are helping crews in the area strengthen our control lines," the RFS said.

With higher temperatures and winds forecast, Friday and Saturday will bring increased fire dangers ratings.

12.26pm Wednesday: Several community meetings have been announced for today and tomorrow as a watch and act notice replaces the 9am emergency warning.

Forest Fire Management Victoria said fire activity had moderated overnight but the situation remained dynamic and could change at any time.

Community meetings today:

Community meetings tomorrow:

Further community meetings are being planned and information relating to these will be provided as soon as possible.

There are more than 250 fire crew and support staff working on this fire, which is currently about 110,000 hectares.

The watch and act message was issued for Beetoomba, Benambra, Berringama, Biggara, Bringenbrong, Brumby, Bungil, Burrowye, Cobberas, Colac Colac, Corryong, Crawford Crossing, Cudgewa, Cudgewa North, Dartmouth, Greg Greg, Guys Forest, Hodgson Crossing, Khancoban, Koetong, Lucyvale, McNamara Crossing, Mount Alfred, Mount Alfred Gap, Nariel Creek, Nariel Gap, Nariel Valley, Pine Mountain, Shelley, Staceys Bridge, Suggan Buggan, The Lightwood, Thologolong, Thowgla, Thowgla Upper, Thowgla Valley, Tintaldra, Tom Groggin, Towong, Towong Upper, Walwa, Willow Crossing.

There is a large bushfire within the Alpine National Park north of Tom Groggin that is not yet under control.

The bushfire is travelling in a south-easterly direction on a large front.

Dry lightning has been recorded over the past 24 hours, resulting in a number of new fires being identified in Jibb Range, Mt Sassafras and Mt Pinniba area with the potential for further new fires.

There is a significant fire activity in NSW, the fire column will visible from Victoria.

Forest Fire Management Victoria said people must continue to remain vigilant as conditions might change.

11.05am Wednesday: Incident controller based at Tallangatta Leith McKenzie has just addressed media about the Upper Murray fire which is still out of control and grown to about 110,000 hectares in size.

The key points from the media conference.

-Community and asset protection are the main priorities presently.

-Homes have been lost, but no specific numbers available. Assessment teams have been on the ground on Wednesday morning.

-Stock losses are also being assessed.

-A generator was brought into Corryong overnight to ensure water supply to the town.

-A community meeting for Corryong being arranged for Wednesday afternoon.

-Fifteen power poles in the area have been damaged in the fire.

-Two large generators are on the way from western Victoria with the aim of having power restored to Corryong by Thursday night.

-Fire authorities are preparing for a repeat of "extreme weather" conditions on Saturday.

10.33am Wednesday:

Ambulance Victoria warned people to seek alternative assistance if they could not get through to triple zero as the fires were affecting some phones in and around Corryong.

For non-urgent health information visit betterhealth.vic.gov.au

"Please check on neighbours, family and friends to make sure they are okay, especially if they don't have a mobile phone," Ambulance Victoria said.

9.40am Wednesday: The federal government has announced payments of $1000 per adult and $400 per child are now available to those worst-hit by the bushfires in Towong and East Gippsland shires.

Assistance is being provided through the government's disaster recovery payment.

Natural Disaster and Emergency Management minister David Littleproud said the money would help those who had suffered a catastrophic loss.

"This is for people whose home has been severely damaged or destroyed, who've been seriously injured or who've lost a family member," Minister Littleproud said.

"This will give dignity to those who have suffered the worst in the fires and help them through the next few days.

"We will make further assistance available to these communities if it is needed.

"It'll take time for life to return to normal and we'll stand shoulder-to-shoulder with these communities until they're back on their feet."

Claims will be open from Thursday 2 January 2020. For more information or to make a claim visit www.humanservices.gov.au/disaster or call 180 22 66.

9am Wednesday: Dry lightning has caused a number of new fires in Gibb range, Mt Sassafras and Mt Pinnibar areas in the past 24 hours.

The Tallangatta Incident Control Centre said it was likely further fires may be identified throughout the day.

An emergency warning has been issued for Beetoomba, Benambra, Berringama, Biggara, Bringenbrong, Brumby, Bungil, Burrowye, Cobberas, Colac Colac, Corryong, Crawford Crossing, Cudgewa, Cudgewa North, Dartmouth, Greg Greg, Guys Forest, Hodgson Crossing, Khancoban, Koetong, Lucyvale, McNamara Crossing, Mount Alfred, Mount Alfred Gap, Nariel Creek, Nariel Gap, Nariel Valley, Pine Mountain, Shelley, Staceys Bridge, Suggan Buggan, The Lightwood, Thologolong, Thowgla, Thowgla Upper, Thowgla Valley, Tintaldra, Tom Groggin, Towong, Towong Upper, Walwa, Willow Crossing.

The large bushfire that started west south west of Walwa earlier this week is not yet under control

The bushfire travelled in a south-easterly direction on a large front and is threatening homes and lives.

There will be continued fire activity on the western flank.

The following roads are closed:

PREVIOUS WARNINGS:

8.59am Wednesday: Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning issued a watch and act message for Howitt Plains, Mount Buller, Wabonga, The Bluff, Bluff Hut, Lovicks Hut, King Billy, Upper Howqua camping area, Pikes Flat camping area, camping areas in the Upper Jamieson State Forest.

There is a bushfire at Alpine National Park near the junction of Bluff Link Road and 16 Mile Jeep Track that is not yet under control.

The bushfire is in a remote area, emergency services are responding.

Another fire has started on the plateau of The Bluff and is not yet under control.

"Don't wait, leaving now is the safest option - conditions may change and get worse very quickly," the warning advised.

"Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay. "

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