More days of fire pain ahead

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 19 Januari 2013 | 20.01

A GIPPSLAND town faces days of nervous waiting amid fears it will be the next community menaced by a massive bushfire.

The head of the CFA said there was a high chance Maffra, with a population of 4500, would find itself in the path of the destructive Aberfeldy blaze.

With no rain predicted to provide relief in the next week, there is deep concern hot weather and north-westerly winds will combine to push the fire front towards the town.

It has already taken the life of an 80-year-old Seaton man and destroyed nine properties since starting four days ago.

Fire Services Commissioner Craig Lapsley said yesterday if the blaze took hold east of the Macalister River and moved into the Avon wilderness area, it would be northwest of Maffra by Thursday when winds are forecast to blow from that direction.

"That would see the fire push through the wilderness towards the Maffra district. There's a 70 to 80 per cent chance of this happening," Mr Lapsley said.

In other developments:

FARMERS were last night allowed back into their property to check for stock losses.

ARSON investigators converged on the camp area where the fire started on Thursday to work out how it began;

The aftermath of the fires at Glenmaggie. Picture: Paul Loughnan

IT EMERGED a group of firefighters surrounded by flames were forced to shelter in their truck near Heyfield;

EXPERTS said only drenching rain would bring the inferno under control; and,

HYDRAULIC problems have grounded water-bombing helicopter Elvis for at least three days.

Police trying to establish how the fire started appealed for campers who evacuated the Donnelly Creek Rd area on Thursday morning to come forward with photos or video taken in the area that day.

A massive fire continues to burn in Victoria's east but no communities are currently under threat.

Detectives from the arson and explosives squad arrived at the scene yesterday.

Mr Lapsley said Victoria had a two-week plan to control and contain the fire.

He said it was important to ensure the 500 firefighters and the community did not grow too tired.

"There is no forecast for rain until the end of January," Mr Lapsley said.

Two caravans at Lake Glenmaggie Caravan Park were burnt to the ground as the fire passed though. Picture: Paul Loughnan

"We have to make sure we are not fatigued."

The patience of residents from the fire zone was severely stretched yesterday before they were finally allowed to return to properties when police opened roadblocks put in place because of the risk of falling trees.

Farmer and local vet Jacob Malmo said his animals were dying and he was devastated by the delay.

"I am hot to trot," he said.

Seaton locals gather. Picture: Nicole Garmston

"I have cattle that have been out there for 36 hours suffering. I will take the risk to help them."

Seaton resident Andrew O'Neill hoped to travel back to his house through back roads.

"I have to get out there. I am very upset," he said.

"I said to the policeman, 'Please let me pass', but he said it was a liability."

Cars were burnt out in Johnsons Lane, Seaton. Picture: Paul Loughnan

Mr O'Neill initially was told his house had survived, but a flaming tree later fell on the home, burning it to the ground.

He saw the ruins for the first time from news helicopter footage in the Railway pub, while celebrating his luck.

Wellington Shire councillor Malcolm Hole said the unpredictability of the fire was causing great anxiety.

"Right now, no one knows where the wind will push this fire," Mr Hole said.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Richard Carlyon said there was no sign of rain.


STAY SAFE

The Herald Sun has joined with fire authorities to keep Victorians informed. Check out the Bushfire Ready page for the latest advice, warnings and videos from the CFA. This page is updated with the latest warnings from across the state. Save it to your bookmarks. You can access it from our homepage (click on Bushfire Ready) from any computer. This service is not available on smart phones.

Check live weather information - including fire warnings - on your computer AND smart phone at our Weather page. Just add m.heraldsun.com.au to your smart phone bookmarks and follow the View weather forecast link.

The CFA has a live fire map. Check it out here and add to your bookmarks.

The Herald Sun will keep you informed throughout the heatwave. Check back regularly for weather information, reader photos and fire warnings on your PC and mobile. Reports and alerts will also be posted to our Facebook page and from our official Twitter account.

For general bushfire information

Stay informed

  • ABC Local Radio, commercial and designated community radio stations or watching Sky News TV
  • Deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment can contact VBIL via the National Relay Service on 1800 555 677
  • Road closures: Check www.vicroads.vic.gov.au
  • Tourists: Stay away from listed areas
  • For life or property threatening threatening emergencies: Phone 000

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