Community Newsletter Upper Murray Community Wednesday 8th January 2020 MONITOR CHANGES TO THE SITUATION. Increased wind Stay Informed speed, change in wind direction, smoke or poor visibility can indicate the situation is changing. www.emergency.vic.gov.au. Review your fire plan and ensure you are ready to act if the VicEmergency Hotline - freecall 1800 226 226. situation changes VicEmergency app. Facebook or Twitter #vicfires The fire situation has been changing rapidly and this is Local radio: ABC Radio is the National Emergency expected to continue for some time. Broadcaster - make sure you have a battery-operated radio available with a supply of batteries, to stay informed should power be cut. Fire Situation You can listen to ABC Radio on the following stations: Albury- Wodonga and Wangaratta 106.5FM There are two large fires across the border in southern NSW. There is a chance these fires and/or other fires to the south Bright 89.7FM of Victoria will join with the fires burning in the Upper Murray Corryong 99.7FM area of Victoria. Myrtleford 91.7FM The current fire area is estimated to be 190,000ha, with minimal fire behaviour observed on Monday. What We Don’t Know Roads are still dangerous due to fire damage and the risks There have been significant proper and stock losses. There associated with tree damage. As they are assessed and are no official numbers available from the assessments cleared for use, they will be reopened for residents. In the being conducted. The results of these assessments are meantime, there are many road closures still in place. guiding rehabilitations and recovery works. With a spike in fire weather later this week the fire situation Warning Messages with become unpredictable. This will be a challenge for firefighters and communities. Current as at 7:00am 08/01/2020 Significant efforts have been directed towards preparing community infrastructure and assets and to help minimise WATCH & ACT Message - current for: Biggara, Tintaldra, Towong, Walwa, Berringama, Burrowye, the impact of the high fire danger weather. Koetong, Lucyvale, Nariel Valley, Shelley, Colac Colac, Corryong, Cudgewa, Cudgewa North, Dartmouth, Guys Forest, Mount Alfred, Thowgla, Thowlga Upper, Thowlga Health Impacts Valley , Bullioh, Georges Creek, Glen Valley , Granya, Mitta Mitta, Talgarno, Tallangatta Valley and surrounding Corryong Health Services Ph 02 6076 3290 are available communities. for health-related concerns. Nurse-on-Call on 1300 60 60 24. This phone service allows Advice message- current for: you to discuss any health related issue with a registered Berringama, Bucheen Creek, Bullioh, Bungil, Burrowye, nurse, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the cost of a local Cravensville, Darbyshire, Dartmouth, Georges Creek, Glen call from anywhere in Victoria. If you or anyone in your care is Valley, Granya, Henlow, Koetong, Lucyvale, Mitta Mitta, experiencing symptoms that may be due to smoke exposure, Nariel Valley, Shelley, Talgarno, Tallangatta East, call Nurse-on-Call or seek medical advice. Tallangatta South, Tallangatta Valley, The Cascade, Thologolong, Wyeebo. Anyone experiencing wheezing, chest tightness and difficulty breathing should call Triple Zero (000). Community notification- current for: Corryong Regularly check for updates to warnings and immediately follow the advice in the warning. For further information - Go to: http://emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/ and listen to local ABC Radio, the National Emergency Broadcaster. Page 1 of 6 Heat Asbestos During extreme heat, make sure to: During a fire, the amount of asbestos fibres released into the Drink plenty of water. air is relatively low. However, pieces of asbestos material Always take a bottle with you. and some fibres may remain in the fire debris and present a Never leave kids, adults or pets in cars. risk to public health if they are disturbed while cleaning up Plan ahead. after a fire. This Environment Protection Authority fact sheet Schedule activities in the coolest part of the day. ‘After a fire- Asbestos Hazards’ provides information about Keep cool. the health risks of asbestos and safe disposal of asbestos Seek out air-conditioned buildings. after a fire. Check-in on others. Look after those most at risk in the heat. Water Supply Smoke Reticulated Supplies Key points about bushfire smoke and your health We ask residents to be mindful of their water usage and If maximum visibility is 1km or less, your air quality only use what is necessary. Current supplies are adequate is in the hazardous level, and you need to limit your but may be compromised in the coming days, due to expected time outdoors and limit your exercise. higher temperatures and depending on the situation. Bushfire smoke is a mixture of differently sized particles, water vapour and gases, including carbon Water Contamination monoxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides. If your area is affected by bushfires, your water source could Fine particles and gases in bushfire smoke are become contaminated from debris, ash or dead animals. You small enough to be breathed deep into the lungs should not source water from a creek that has been affected and can cause health effects. For regular updates by bushfire as the water may be contaminated. on what you should do, listen to your local emergency radio station or visit Water drawn from deep bores or wells should still be safe to www.emergency.vic.gov.au use. If you suspect contamination, use an alternative water People with a heart or lung condition, including supply for drinking and food preparation. asthma, children up to 14 years, pregnant women and people over 65 years of age are more sensitive Resources: to the effects of breathing in smoke. Bushfires and private drinking water supplies If you have a heart or lung condition, take your https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliv medication as prescribed. Asthmatics should follow ing/bushfires-and-water-tanks their personal asthma action plan and keep reliever Bushfire and Public Health medication on hand. Anyone experiencing difficulty https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/public- breathing, wheezing or tightness in the chest should health/environmental-health/climate-weather-and- seek urgent medical assistance call 000. public-health/bushfires-and-public-health Wearing a Face Mask It is better to stay indoors, away from the smoke unless you cannot avoid working outdoors. Ordinary paper dust masks, handkerchiefs or bandannas do not filter out fine particles from bushfire smoke and are generally not very useful in protecting your lungs. Special face masks called' P2' masks filter bushfire smoke providing greater protection against inhaling fine particles. They are available at most hardware stores. However, before deciding to wear a mask you should understand that: They can be hot and uncomfortable to wear they can make it harder for you to breathe normally. Anyone with a pre-existing heart or lung condition should seek medical advice before using them If the seal around the face and mouth is poor the mask is much less effective men should be clean shaven to get a good seal The masks do not filter out gases such as carbon monoxide Page 2 of 6 Animal Welfare Community Support For urgent animal welfare and needs for pets, horses and Community Support is available through the livestock including food and water contact Ph 1800 226 226 Towong Shire Council hotline phone 02 6071 5180 or visit http://agriculture.vic.gov.au for more information. Community Meetings Hay deliveries have been made within the fire area and more deliveries are planned when they can be completed safely Tallangatta Valley Ph 1300 882 833 between 9am-5pm There is a community meeting scheduled for 10am Wednesday January 8 at the Tallangatta Valley Hall, Escorted convoys of milk tankers and fuel and other supplies Tallangatta Creek Rd, Tallangatta Valley have been occurring wherever possible. Mitta Mitta Landholders needing emergency fodder for livestock should There is a community meeting scheduled for 3pm contact the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) on Ph 1300 Wednesday Janauary 8 at the Mitta Mitta Sports and 882 833 between 9am and 5pm or email [email protected] Community Centre, 1784 Mitta North Road, Mitta Mitta Agriculture Victoria (AgVic) is working from DELWP Wodonga assessing stock injuries and losses. Local Shires Relief Information and AgVic are working together regarding the disposal of livestock. Contact the Towong Shire for assistance with Relief centres have been established at livestock disposal 02 6071 5100. Corryong - High School, Towong St, 8am-8pm Tallangatta - Memorial Hall, Towong St, 8am-8pm Wangaratta- Wangaratta Showgrounds, Golf Link Lane Livestock after an Emergency and Farm Recovery Wodonga- Australian Defence Force Relief Resources: Accommodation at Latchford Barracks – Bonegilla, http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/emergencies/rec Wodonga (register at the Wondonga ‘Cube’ before going overy/livestock-after-an-emergency to the Barracks) If you relocate Infrastructure and Essential Services People in affected areas are encouraged to register with Power the Red Cross at: Register.Find.Reunite https://register.redcross.org.au/ or Power outages are affecting many areas inside and outside by calling 1800 727 077 of the fire area. Use Register to let people know you are Corryong Residents – interim power reconnected BUT only safe. Use Find to look for people you know may be for essential services – turn off appliances not required. This affected by an emergency. includes appliances on stand-by i.e. TVs, stereos, pool Mental Health pumps, chargers etc. If your fridge or freezer is empty or not being used turn it off; this is to stop drawing unnecessary It is normal to have strong emotional or physical reactions power from the grid. Air Conditioners can be used but it is following a distressing event. There is always help available advised not to keep them on all night.