Forecast for Thursday 30 January Sunny. Light winds. Overnight temperatures falling to Community Newsletter between 10 and 15 with daytime temperatures reaching 33 to 38. Swifts Creek ICC 28 – 31 January 2020 Forecast for Friday 31 January Hot and sunny. Light winds becoming north-westerly 15 to 20 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the Fire Situation evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 14 and The following fire information reflects what you will read on 20 with daytime temperatures reaching 34 to 41. the Vic Emergency website and is accurate at time of publication. The community should continue to check Road Information warnings. Many local roads, forest tracks and highways have been Temperatures are expected to rise over the coming week. impacted by fire and heavy rain. Crews are continuing to Very hot conditions are expected for Thursday, Friday and assess the condition of roads to ensure the safety of road Saturday. This may have an impact on fire activity. users. This may take some time due to the scale of the fires. Benambra, Dartmouth & Nariel Valley Roads open • Fire crews are patrolling the Banambra area to The is open between Bruthen and extinguish hot spots on the fire line supported by aircraft. . • Crews are continuing to prepare for burning out works The Highway is open from Omeo to Mitta Mitta. from Beloka to Benambra to Road. The Benambra Corryong Road is open from Benambra to • Heavy machinery support crews will strengthen and Uplands monitor fire control lines. • Smoke may be visible from surrounding communities. Roads closed Omeo Area Local traffic only into Callagans Road, Anglers Rest • Crews are patrolling and extinguishing any hot spots. and Cobungra Road, Cobungra. • Crews are taking the opportunity during the milder Bogong High Plains Road. weather to strengthen containment lines south west of Banambra-Corryong Road Uplands to Corryong. Omeo. Shannonvale / Angers Rest Area Information on updated road closures is available via 13 11 • Crews are patrolling and extinguishing any hot spots 70 or the VicTraffic website traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au from Bingo Tices to Angers Rest and Shannonvale to Bundara. Back to School • Crews are also working to strengthen containment lines All government schools will re-open on Thursday January 30. between Shannonvale and south of the Bogong High There will be increased traffic on local roads in fire affected Plains. areas. Cassillis, Swifts Creek and Ensay Area If bus routes are likely to be impacted schools will work with • Crews are patrolling around Brookville and Doctors Flat. families to make sure children are still able to access their Bindi Area education. For information regarding school bus routes and • Crews are working along Nunniong Road, Garons Point, school closures go to: Marble Gully and Escarpment Track to strengthen https://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/health control lines. /Pages/closures.aspx#link17

• Ground crews and aircraft are also patrolling the fire boundary. Pasture Recovery & Management Sessions Wattle Circle Area AgVic staff will provide information on pasture recovery, sowing and management as well as answer any questions • This fire is currently being monitored with crews on animal health and feed requirements for stock. patrolling and extinguishing any hot spots.

Information on assistance packages will be available. Community Drop-in Session

For up to date information concerning fire activity and outlook: Date Location Time Thursday 30 Smith’s Property, 10 10am – 12 • East Shire Offices, 179 Day Street, January Tambo Spur Road midday Omeo on Thursday 30th January between 1pm and Tambo Crossing 3pm. More sessions will be held in the future. If landholders would Weather Forecast like a similar event in their area, please contact Keren Walker on 0477 706 384. Forecast for Wednesday 29 January Mostly sunny. Areas of smoke haze. Light winds. Overnight temperatures falling to between 9 and 14 with daytime temperatures reaching 25 to 30.

Mobile Recovery Service Protect Your Health Representatives from council and other organisations are It is normal to have strong emotional or physical reactions travelling to remote fire-affected communities to deliver following a distressing event. There is always help available recovery information from Council and various other through your doctor and local mental health professionals. agencies at ‘pop-up’ sites. This week’s schedule is: You can call the following for support at any time: Wednesday 29 January 2020 • Lifeline - 131 114 • ‘The Rock,’ Tambo Crossing 10 am – 12 midday • Beyond Blue - 1300 224 636 and • Mens Line - 1300 789 978 • Swifts Creek Community Hall, 1 pm – 3 pm. • Kid’s Help Line - 1800 55 1800 • Parent Line - 13 22 89 Community Liaison Staff from the Incident Control Centre will • Bushfire Counselling Line – 1300 514 811 also be available to provide information concerning the • Mental Health Crisis Line – 1300 881 104 current fire situation as well fire preparedness for residents. Nurse-on-Call on 1300 60 60 24 (this is a phone service that Camp Fires allows you to discuss any health-related issue with a If you have a campfire, make sure the area around the fire is registered nurse, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the cost clear, water is close by and never leave the camp-fire alight of a local call from anywhere in ). or unattended. Family Violence FFMVic has already responded to several unattended camp There is an increased risk of family violence after an fires over the weekend. This takes valuable resources away emergency. Help is available. Visit. from fighting the fires www.vic.gov.au/familyviolence or call 1800 737 732 Alpine National Park (1800RESPECT). The Alpine National Park remains closed, with the exception of the following areas: Stay informed • www.emergency.vic.gov.au. • Wellington River camping area • VicEmergency Hotline - freecall 1800 226 226. • Mount Feathertop (between the Great Alpine Road to • VicEmergency app. Mount Hotham and the Alpine Walking Track from Mount Hotham to the ) Base Camp Australian, US and Canadian firefighters as well as Defence Areas that are now open in this precinct include: Force personnel from Australia and PNG are staying at base camps in Benambra, Omeo and Swifts Creek while they are • Mount Feathertop working to support local crews to contain the fire. • Razorback Ridge • Bon Accord Spur, Bungalow Spur and North-West Bushfire Clean-Up Program Spur Registration is now open for the 2020 Clean-Up Program, • Diamantina Horse Yards which is provided free of charge for eligible property owners. • Dibbins Hut Please register using this online form or by calling 1800 560 • The Alpine Walking Trail between Mount Hotham 760. and Pole 333 Bushfire Case Support Program Relief information The Bushfire Case Support Program provides practical The East Gippsland Shire Council has essential information support for people who have been affected by the Victorian and advice on support and services available provided by bushfires. To access this program or find out more call 1800 Council and other government and non-government 560 760 (8am–6pm weekdays and 9am–5pm on weekends) agencies. For more information go here: or email https://[email protected] https://www.eastgippsland.vic.gov.au/Bushfire_information/B ushfire_support_and_information

Or contact VicEmergency Hotline (1800 226 226) to speak to someone about recovery.