Community meetings will be held on Wednesday, January 8, at Tallangatta Valley and Mitta.
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Tallangatta Valley: 10am, Wednesday, January 8, Tallangatta Valley Hall, Tallangatta Creek Road, Tallangatta Valley.
Mitta: 3pm Wednesday, January 8, Mitta Sports and Community Centre, 1784 Mitta North Road, Mitta.
Watch and act: Issued Tuesday at 6:39pm updated for Biggara, Tintaldra, Towong, Walwa, Berringama, Burrowye, Koetong, Lucyvale, Nariel Valley, Shelley, Colac Colac, Corryong, Cudgewa, Cudgewa North, Dartmouth, Guys Forest, Mount Alfred, Thowgla, Thowlga Upper, Thowlga Valley , Bullioh, Georges Creek, Glen Valley , Granya, Mitta Mitta, Talgarno, Tallangatta Valley and surrounding communities.
With the help of milder weather conditions and light rainfall, firefighters have been able to slow the spread of fire for now. The situation can change at any time. You must continue to monitor conditions and be ready to act.
Temperatures are forecast to increase by the end of this week and have the potential to increase fire activity. There is potential for this fire to merge with other fires currently burning nearby in Victoria and in New South Wales.
The bushfire known as WNW of Walwa is not yet under control. As a result of changed weather conditions the spread of fire has slowed for now.
It is important to note that the situation can change at any time.
Watch and act: Issued at 1.09am for Bobinawarrah, Buffalo Creek, Buffalo River, Carboor, Carboor East, Carboor Upper, Dandongadale, Kneebones Gap, Markwood, Meadow Creek, Merriang, Merriang South, Mount Buffalo, Myrtleford, Nug Nug, Whorouly, Whorouly East, Whorouly South.
There are multiple bushfires in the Abbeyard, Mount Buffalo and Wongungara areas that are not yet under control.
Erratic wind behavior is currently being observed. The increased wind activity has resulted in a number of spot fires starting to the North East of the fire front.
Firefighters and heavy machinery are currently working in the area.
An emergency warning will be issued if the risk to community increases.
Monitor changes to the situation. Increased wind speed, change in wind direction, smoke or poor visibility can indicate the situation is changing.
If the situation changes or you feel unsafe you should enact your fire survival plan.
The following roads are closed:
Buffalo-Carboor Rd at Gum Flat Creek Rd, Carboor
Buffalo River Rd at the Lake Buffalo dam wall
Check the VicTraffic website (traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au/) or call 13 11 70 for road closures.
There is very poor or hazardous smoke in the area. If there is no direct threat from bushfires, stay indoors and keep activity levels as low as possible.
P2 face masks are available for free and for vulnerable people only at the Bright, Myrtleford and Mt Beauty hospitals.
Monitor air quality in your area at EPA AirWatch epa.vic.gov.au/EPAAirWatch.
This message was issued by Forest Fire Management Victoria.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Message for fire evacuees: The Wangaratta Relief Centre at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre has been relocated to the Wangaratta Showgrounds. It will open from Wednesday, January 8, 7am to 10pm. All services will now be available from the Wangaratta Sports Development Centre (at the showgrounds), enter via Golf Links Lane. This site will be a one stop shop for all services.
The relief centre at the WPACC will be closed from 5pm, Tuesday 7 January. For more information visit bit.ly/EmergencyUpdate
Change to operations of emergency relief centres:
From the night of Tuesday, January 7, Towong and Wodonga emergency relief centres will be operating as information centres from 8am to 8pm each day.
The centres will have representatives from key agencies and provide a space during the day offering registration, assistance and services but will not be operating as overnight accommodation.
The sites will be enacted back into full relief centres if and when required.
This applies to the following centres: Tallangatta relief centre at the Tallangatta Memorial Hall; Corryong relief centre at Corryong High School; Wodonga relief centre at The Cube Wodonga
Latchford Barracks in Wodonga continues to provide accommodation for those affected by fires.
Towong Shire Council: Fodder and other stock feed, as well as fuel and milk collection are a priority need in the burnt out areas of the Upper Murray region.
A convoy of more than 40 trucks including B-doubles, semi-trailers and smaller vehicles went into the Upper Murray Tuesday morning carrying fodder and feed for fire-affected farmers throughout the district.
Convoys will be travelling into the area on Wednesday, January 8.
Anyone wishing to donate hay, silage, lucerne or other stock feed can take it to the Upper Murray fire fodder logistics co-ordination point at Sandy Creek Recreation Reserve, where it will be securely stored until it can be transported into the fire-affected area.
