Community Newsletter Talmalmo Avoca Station Fire Advice for the Upper Murray Community

Tuesday 31 December 2019

Situation crew will be deployed to examine infrastructure and ascertain This fire was ignited by lightning in steep forested terrain in any damage but can only do so when the fire has passed, NSW on Sunday 29 December in the Green Valley area access to site is available and when it is safe to do so.

What we don’t know. The severe fire weather yesterday and overnight saw the fire There have been property and stock losses in the areas spot into over the into the Mt Alfred impacted by fires but it is too early to be specific. The focus area. The fire has increased significantly in size overnight is on the going fires and protecting the community. Rapid with a convective column (a vertical column of heat, smoke, Impact Assessment teams have arrived in the area. ash and burning embers) (6km) and spotting ahead of the Assessments will be undertaken on the ground over the main front. coming days.

This is a large and damaging fire that has caused significant We understand that it is stressful to not know what is community damage and is still a very active fire This fire is happening. We are absolutely prioritising people returning to currently approx 100,000 ha. There are over 250 fire crew their properties once the threat of fire has passed and it is and support staff working on this fire. safe to do so.

It had a run of nearly 40 kms overnight. Strong winds of Infrastructure and Essential Services around 60 km/h were recorded at . The bushfire is There is significant communications towers and currently travelling in a south-easterly direction on a large other infrastructure on Mt Mittamatite that front towards Corryong. The head of the fire is currently is not damaged but exposed. threatening parts of Corryong, Cudgewa and the Nariel Mt Elliot Communications Tower has been impacted. Valley area. It is now heading towards Tom Groggin Station. There are currently NBN outages in Corryong and via NBN It is a dynamic fire situation. Wireless. There are two faults that are being investigated. Telstra is working on reinstatement time TBC. Power outages are affecting many areas inside and outside A mobile communication system is currently being planned. the fire area. Many sections of road surfaces have been damaged by the fire and require a safety assessment, including for Hazardous trees. Current Road Closures Road closures have been activated on sections of the Current messages  Murray River Road from Guys Forest Road Burrowye to Murray River Rd (NSW), Emergency Warning issued at 12:25 am today for:  Murray River Rd to Shelley to Walwa Road Beetoomba, Benambra, , , Bringenbrong,  between Shelley to Church Bungil, Burrowye, Cobberas, Colac Colac, Corryong, St Walwa Crawford Crossing, Cudgewa, Cudgewa North, Dartmouth,  Guys Forest Rd at Burrowye to Murray Valley Greg Greg, Guys Forest, Hodgson Crossing, , Highway Koetong, Lucyvale, McNamara Crossing, Mount Alfred,  Murray Valley Highway from Rd to Mount Alfred Gap, Nariel Creek, Nariel Gap, Nariel Valley, Benambra –Corryong Rd Nariel Valley. Pine Mountain, Shelley, Staceys Bridge, Suggan Buggan,  Briggs Gap Rd Cudgewa to Murray River Rd The Lightwood, Thologolong, Thowgla, Thowgla Upper, Tintaldra Thowgla Valley, Tintaldra, Tom Groggin, Towong, Towong The fire is now impacting the Shelley Plantation which will Upper, Walwa, Willow Crossing put further pressure on the Murray Valley Fire. Assessment teams are currently examining the River Road and will open as soon as they can when safe to do so. The community will Watch and Act issued at 12:25 today for: be notified when this occurs. Bucheen Creek, Bullioh, Bungil, Burrowye, Cravensville,

Darbyshire, Dartmouth, Georges Creek, Granya, Henlow, Information on updated road closures is available via 13 Koetong, Lucyvale, Mitta Mitta, Shelley, East, 11 70 or the VicTraffic Tallangatta South, Tallangatta Valley, The Cascade, website traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au Thologolong, Wyeebo

Water in Corryong township

Current water levels are critical and should only be used for essential needs. More water is currently being drawn from the system than is being created at this point. A NE Water

Current Park Closures As a result of the fire the following campsites and parks on the Murray River are closed to members of the public until further notice: - Burrowye Bend Reserve Weather Outlook - Bullock Flat Reserve Today - Tuesday 31 December 2019 - Gadd’s Bend Reserve Sunny. Winds south to south easterly 15 to 20 km/h - Pebble Beach Reserve becoming light before dawn. Overnight temperatures falling - Neil’s Bend Reserve to between 9 and 134 with daytime temperatures reaching 25 to 33. - Clarke Lagoon Wildlife Reserve

- Lighthouse Crossing Reserve Wednesday - 1 January 2020 - Indi Bridge Reserve Sunny. Winds south to south easterly 15 to 20 km/h - Bunroy Creek Reserve becoming light before dawn. Overnight temperatures falling - Burrowa-Pine Mountain National Park to between 9 and 134 with daytime temperatures reaching - Mount Mittamatite Regional Park (also known as 25 to 33. Mount Mitta Mitta Regional Park). Thursday - 2 January 2020 For information on forest access and roads Sunny. Light winds. Overnight temperatures falling to visit www.parks.vic.gov.au between 9 and 13 with daytime temperatures reaching 39 to 36. Relief Centres Relief centres have been established at the Corryong High Friday - 3 January 2020 School, Tallangatta Memorial Hall and for community Hot and sunny . Light winds. Overnight temperatures falling members that are able to be self-sufficient the to between 11 and 15 with daytime temperatures reaching 33 to 40. Showgrounds is also available.

Red Cross People in affected areas are encouraged to register with the Red Cross at : Register.Find.Reunite https://register.redcross.org.au/ or by calling 1800 277 077. Use Register to let people know you are safe. Use Find to look for people you know may be affected by an emergency.

Protect your health

People with existing heart or lung conditions, including asthma, should follow the treatment plan from their doctor.

Nurse-on-Call on 1300 60 60 24 (call service to discuss any health-related issue with a registered nurse, 24/7).

Corryong Health Services are also available for health related concerns.

Stay informed

 www.emergency.vic.gov.au.  VicEmergency Hotline - freecall 1800 226 226.  VicEmergency app.  Facebook or Twitter (#vicHAZARD).

To access this information in other languages, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 (freecall) and ask them to call VicEmergency Hotline.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment contact National Relay Service on 1800 555 677 and ask them to call the VicEmergency Hotline.