Major Fire Updates – Tuesday 28th January – Bega Valley, Snowy Monaro and Eurobodalla Shires

Fire Update for the Bega Valley, Snowy Monaro and Eurobodalla Shires, 28^th January 2020.

Please also keep yourself informed on the bush fire situation through the official channels listed below.

Updates from Marty Webster (RFS):
The dynamic weather set on the weekend will be unpredictable. On Thursday, temperatures will start to increase, with Friday and Saturday warmer again. North Easterley and North Westerley winds will be pushing close to the coast on Saturday. Rainfall in the north recently has meant more resources are available in the Bega Valley. Two hundred firefighters are heading to Narooma to be deployed throughout the regions as needed.

Community Meetings:
Bodalla Bush Fire Meeting today at 6:30 pm
At the Bodalla Fire Station
109 Princes Highway, Bodalla

Air traffic:
Choppers, water bombers, etc, are still very active across the regions. Efforts are being focused on consolidating containment lines and securing edges over the coming days.

Major Fires Update:

Border Fire (Bega Valley LGA)

Currently at ADVICE level. A bush fire is burning north from the Victorian border. The fire is currently more than 168,000 hectares and is being controlled. The fire is 9-10 kms from Rocky Hall. Communities are advised to keep themselves well informed.

Current Situation:
There is still an active fire burning behind identified containment lines.
The fire also spread to areas around Towamba on its western edge near Burragate and New Buildings.
There are many areas that are now safe for people to visit.
Weather conditions are expected to deteriorate later this week.
Hot, dry and windy conditions are forecast for Friday and Saturday.

Advice:

Wonboyn, Kiah, Narrabarba and surrounds

The fire has moved through this area.
Monitor conditions.
Be alert for falling trees and branches.
A number of roads are fire affected, blocked or closed.

Nethercote Burragate, Towamba, New Buildings and surrounds

There may still be areas of active fire, do not become complacent.
Monitor conditions. Know what you will do if the fire threatens.
A number of roads are blocked and closed.
Be aware of the danger of falling trees and branches.

Eden, Mila, Wyndham, Rocky Hall, Rockton, Nungatta, Warrawilla, Rosemeath, Cathcart, Bondi Gulf, Paddy’s Flat, Mount Darragh, Bombala and surrounds

Monitor conditions.
Know what you will do if the fire threatens.
Be prepared to take action should conditions change.

Badja Forest Road, Countegany (Snowy Monaro, Eurobodalla and Bega Valley LGAs)

Currently at ADVICE level. A bush fire is burning over a large area between the Bega and Moruya areas.
The fire is more than 292,630 hectares in size and is being controlled. Activity is being suppressed however there are active pockets. As flight is available this fire is being water bombed.

Current Situation:

Fire activity has eased across the fire-ground with favourable conditions expected over coming days.
Hot, dry and windy weather is forecast for Friday and Saturday.
Efforts will be focused on consolidating containment lines and securing edges.
The Princes Highway is open.
A number of local roads are closed due to fire, fallen trees and downed power lines.

This fire joined the Good Good fire in the west, the Werri Berri fire in the south west and will likely join the Clyde Mountain fire in the north.

Advice:

Woola and Nobbles Island
Monitor conditions. There are a number of fires burning to the north, south and west of the area. Be alert for embers and spot fires. Know what you will do if the fire threatens.

Areas recently impacted by fire including areas to the west of Narooma and Dalmeny, Dignams Creek, Tilba, Coolagolite, Moruya, Bumbo, Bodalla, Potato Point, Eurobodalla and surrounding areas.

Sections of unburnt bush may continue to burn.
If you are in the area, monitor conditions and know what you will do if the fire threatens.
Fallen trees and power lines continue to affect local roads.

If you are in the areas west of Bega between Snowy Mountains Highway in the north, and Candelo-Bega Road in the south, as well as the Desert Creek and Double Creek, Yankees Gap or Brogo areas, there is no new threat.

The Badja fire has now joined with the Werri Berri fire on its northern flank.
Continue to monitor conditions.

Clyde Mountain (Eurobodalla LGA)

Currently at ADVICE level. A bushfire is burning in the Clyde Mountain area south of the Kings Highway, through to the Deua River Valley. The fire is more than 95,400 hectares in size and is being controlled.

Current Situation:

Firefighters continue working to slow the spread of the fire and efforts will be focused on reconsolidating containment lines and securing edges.
Backburning may be undertaken across the fire-ground as conditions allow.
A return of hot, dry and windy conditions are forecast for Friday and Saturday.
This fire will likely merge with the Badja Forest Road fire in the south.

Advice:

Moruya, West Moruya, Mogendoura and Wamban:

Monitor the conditions.
Know what you will do if the fire threatens.
The fire continues to burn through pockets of unburnt bush.
Be alert for falling trees and branches.

Areas from Moruya to Tuross Head, and Bumbo, Bodalla and Eurobodalla:

Monitor the conditions.
Know what you will do if the fire threatens.
Be alert for falling trees and branches.

Woola and Nobbies Island:

Monitor conditions.
Know what you will do if the fire threatens.
Fire continues to burn in the area be alert for embers and spot fires.
Be alert for falling trees and branches.

Big Jack Mountain Fire (Bega Valley LGA)

Currently at ADVICE level. This fire is moving slowly but active weather will cause flare ups.

Postmans Trail Fire (Bega Valley LGA)

Currently at ADVICE level. RFS is currently working on aerial containment and mineral earth lines. Communities need to be well prepared for the weekend.

Advice and contact:

• Stay up to date on bush fires in your area by checking NSWRFS website (www.rfs.nsw.gov.au)
• Check combined website/bushfire map: https://bushfire.io/
• Understand the Alert level for the Fire and take appropriate actions.
• Monitor local weather conditions at the Bureau of Meteorology www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/alerts
• Road Closures on Live traffic at www.livetraffic.com
• Evacuation centres information visit Disaster Assistance https://www.emergency.nsw.gov.au/
• People are encouraged to register online at Register Find Reunite before attending evacuation centres. https://register.redcross.org.au/

Make informed decisions based on information from official channels.

If you are threatened by fire:

Do not be in the path of the fire.
Protect yourself from the heat of the fire. Wear protective clothing and footwear.
Cover all exposed skin.
If the fire impacts, seek shelter in a solid structure to protect yourself from the heat of the fire.
If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000).
If you are in an area that has already been affected by fire, there may be small areas of active fire burning for some time. Be aware of the dangers of trees and branches falling.

Anxiety Levels:

“Keep watching the fire danger messaging, this is a good way to monitor your situation. Many people have anxiety fatigue, and others are hyper-vigilant. Be assured, the further away you are from fire, the less risk, and the RFS is dealing with areas we know we have problems.” ~ Marty Webster, RFS

Other Information:

People with respiratory conditions who are affected by bush fire smoke should activate their health management plan and seek medical advice if necessary.
Take precautions such as staying indoors and closing windows.
Roads may be closed without warning.