Grampians bushfire crisis over
Grampians bushfire crisis over
3 February 2006
published by www.theaustralian.news.com.au/
Victoria, Australia — Firefighters have contained a bushfire that burnt out more than half the Grampians National Park, ending Victoria’s bushfire emergency.
A statement from the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and the Country Fire Authority (CFA) this morning said the fire in Victoria’s west had been contained.
The fire, which had a perimeter of 363km, began on January 20 and claimed two lives, that of Malcolm Wilson, 36, and his 12-year-old son Zeke, who were fleeing the blaze when fire engulfed their car.
In total the fire burnt out 130,000 hectares and destroyed 40 dwellings, 72 farm sheds and more than 62,400 sheep.
DSE state duty officer Graeme Davis said 50-to-60 per cent of the Grampians National Park had been burned in the fire.
Mr Davis said the containment of the Grampians fire meant the current crisis was over.
“Certainly the current flurry of activity is over, but it only needs a return of warm conditions for it to become a risk again,” said Mr Davis
