Community Newsletter

Upper Murray Community

Wednesday 15 January 2020

Weather

Fire Situation Update

Total Area of Upper Murray fire – 308,242ha Conditions have been milder allowing crews to work on containment lines along the west side of the fire, as weather conditions permit.

Back-burning is occurring in the Wabba Wilderness, between and Dartmouth Dam along the Gibb Range Track and Glamour Hill Track to secure the western flank of the fire.

As a result of this and previous back-burning, increased smoke will be visible in nearby areas for some time.

Today The trough will deepen and move eastwards today. Partly cloudy. Widespread smoke haze. Medium chance of showers, most likely late this afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds north to north-easterly, tending north to north-westerly in the afternoon.  – 33 C  – 30 C  Dartmouth – 28 C

Thursday 16th January The trough will stall and weaken over eastern . Chance of showers and thunderstorms.. Areas of smoke haze. Light winds becoming north to north-westerly in the middle of the day, then tending southeast to south-westerly in the early afternoon.  Corryong – 16 / 30 C  Tallangatta – 18 / 25 C  Dartmouth – 17 / 24 C

Outlook Fire Danger Ratings The inland trough reforms over Victoria by Today – High Saturday with possible thunderstorms in the east. Thurs 16th – High The surface trough deepens on Sunday into Fri 17th – High Monday with more rainfall forecast as showers Sat 18th - High and chance of thunderstorms continue across the state.

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Stay Informed during emergencies Other arterial roads in the fire area are  www.emergency.vic.gov.au progressively being opened as tree hazards are  VicEmergency Hotline - freecall 1800 226 226 removed. If you require access onto roads that  VicEmergency app are closed to the general public, please contact  Facebook or Twitter #vicfires the Traffic Management Desk on 02 6043 4674 so your case can be assessed, and your details Local radio recorded.

ABC Radio is the Emergency Broadcaster  Albury- & Wangaratta 106.5FM Please drive carefully and observe speed limits.  Bright 89.7FM  Corryong 99.7FM Current Information on road closures available 13 11 70 or the Vic Traffic website:  Myrtleford 91.7FM traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au

Roads and Access Current Park Closures Roads with Restricted Access As a result of the fire ALL Parks and State Forests are closed to the public until further notice. The from Tallangatta to Corryong is now open with restricted access to For information on forest access and roads residents and approved essential services 24 visit www.parks.vic.gov.au hours a day. No escorts are required.

Khancoban residents travelling to Corryong are Relief Centres able to return home through the Traffic  Corryong - P-12 College, Towong St, Management Point (TMP) located at intersection 8am-8pm (Ph: 0438 681829) of Murray Valley Hwy / Mongans Lane.  Tallangatta - Memorial Hall, Towong St, For access through Traffic Management Points: 8am-8pm Residents should carry some proof of residency  Wangaratta – Performing Arts Centre, Ford St, & Photo ID, such as a driver’s licence. 8am-5pm Essential services are required to show some  Wodonga – ADF Latchford Barracks, evidence of the service they are providing (such Bonegilla Rd, Bonegilla as an invoice). Police will then let you travel through. Animal Welfare Traffic Management Points as at 8.00am today Livestock Tintaldra – Rd / Cudgewa Rd Farmers in need of fodder or agistment should Corryong - Murray Valley Hwy / Sugarloaf Rd call the VFF on 1300 882 833 to register for Corryong – Murray Valley Hwy / Mongans Lane assistance. - Murray Valley Hwy / Rd Mitta Mitta - Omeo Hwy at Mitta Mitta Township For urgent animal welfare and needs for pets, Shelley – Murray Valley Hwy / Shelley Walwa Rd horses and livestock including food and water contact 1800 226 226 or visit Walwa – Murray River Rd / Rd http://agriculture.vic.gov.au for more information. Walwa – Murray River Rd / Harvey St Colac Colac – Benambra-Corryong Rd / Murray Contact the Towong Shire for assistance with Valley Hwy livestock disposal 02 6071 5100. Cudgewa – Cudgewa Valley Rd / Briggs Gap Rd Burrowye – Murray River Rd / Guys Forest Rd Wildlife Tintaldra – Murray River Rd Report injured wildlife to the Wodonga Incident (200m west of rec reserve) Control Centre 02 6043 4600 which will be redirected to the Wildlife Coordinator.

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Mental Health It is normal to have strong emotional or physical Community Support reactions following a distressing event. There is always help available through your doctor and Support is available through the local mental health professionals. You can call the Towong Shire Council hotline 02 6071 5180 following for support at any time:  Lifeline - 131 114 Police Assistance Line on 131 444. Or you can  Beyond Blue - 1300 224 636 make an online report at www.police.vic.gov.au. If you wish to report a scam or fraud, visit  Mens Line - 1300 789 978 www.cyber.gov.au/  Kid’s Help Line - 1800 55 1800  Parent Line - 13 22 89 Report suspicious behaviour to Crime Stoppers  Bushfire Counselling Line – 1300 514 811 on 1800 333 000.  Mental Health Crisis Line – 1300 881 104 Bushfire Case Support Program Family Violence The Victorian Bushfires Case Support Program There is an increased risk of family violence after has been launched and is available for people an emergency. Help is available. affected by the bushfires in East Gippsland and https://www.vic.gov.au/family-violence-support or North East Victoria, as a single point of contact call 1800 737732 (1800 RESPECT) linking local residents to vital support – such as information and advice, mental health support or financial counselling. Essential Services Update Residents can access service via 1800 560 760 Essential Services Convoys Discontinued or email From today (Jan 15th), regular convoys into the [email protected] fire area will no longer be provided.

Financial Assistance Communications DHHS staff are working from relief centres, Information on NBN outages can be found at including Corryong, providing financial and https://downdetector.com.au/status/nbnco/map/ emergency accommodation assistance to Information on Telstra outages can be found at people evacuating impacted areas. https://www.telstra.com.au/coverage-networks/our- coverage People who cannot get to a relief centre can call the hotline 1800 961 054.(9am-5pm) Emergency Water Relief Program Bushfire affected residents can seek emergency water. South East Water are facilitating this program for the North East fires. Call 131851, and press 9. Health Impacts For further details: Corryong Health Services are available for health https://mysupport.southeastwater.com.au/articles/ related concerns - 02 6076 3290 FAQ/Emergency-water-relief-program-for- Call NURSE-ON-CALL on 1300 606 024 or see bushfire-affected-residents your doctor if you are unwell. In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) Power supply

For details - www.energy.vic.gov.au

https://www.ausnetservices.com.au/

AusNet dedicated line for customers impacted by bushfires 1300 561171

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NOTE TO RESIDENTS:

Safety on Returning to Home Even though roads are opening and residents are returning home, there may be local risks and safety issues still present on your property.

Be aware of dangers associated with asbestos and chemicals, fallen powerlines, fallen or damaged trees, and unstable structures on fire-affected properties.

Power is being restored to the area in stages. Fire affected properties will be disconnected at the premises. Property owners should be careful of the risk for electrical hazards eg solar equipment.

Safety hazards that may arise after fires include:

 LP gas tanks and cylinders that may have been damaged by fire and heat

 Decomposing livestock and wildlife that may present biohazards

 Unstable structures such as free-standing chimneys, fire damaged retaining walls or underground water tanks, concrete septic tanks and pits which may be at risk of collapse

 Asbestos which has crumbled due to exposure to extreme heat.

After a fire: Personal protective equipment (including how to put on & fit a P2 or N95 mask https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/Api/downloadmedia/%7BB198D95C-4961-46B7-8549-3659F78CD5B9%7D

After a fire: Returning home safely https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/Api/downloadmedia/%7B2B8EE5B7-3FBF-4AC3-B915-31B5AE8D47F9%7D

After a fire: Drinking water https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/Api/downloadmedia/%7B41E763C8-AA20-4A9E-BAD1-5BE53BF88DB5%7D

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