GFMC: Bush and Forest Fires in Australia
Bush and Forest Fires in Australia
21 February 2003
Bushfires Raging in Southeast Australia
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Bands 3-6-7
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This true-color Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) image was captured by the Terra satellite on 18 February 2003.
The NOAA/NESDIS Experimental Fire Potential Product
This product is based on the estimated intensity and duration of vegetation stress which can be used as a proxy for assessment of fire potential and danger. It combines two satellite-based indices – the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and thermal data from the NOAA AVHRR sensors. Area, intensity, and duration of vegetation stress, fire potential and danger can be estimated from colour-coded maps covering all continents. An introduction to the weekly updated products are accessible at: http://orbit-net.nesdis.noaa.gov/crad/sat/surf/fpm/index.html.
Latest weekly global fire potential product map, including Australia
(upper scene)
and comparison with the situation in the previous month (map below)
(Source: NOAA/NESDIS Experimental Fire Potential Product, prepared by Felix Kogan, Robert M.Carey and David Forsyth.)
Fire Weather Forecast for the Pacific Region
Fire Weather Index for the
Pacific Region for tomorrow.
(Source: ECPCFire Weather Index Forecast)
Actual Fire Situation Maps,Victoria
An actual fire situation map can be found directly at:
Statewide fire situation
Source: http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/
DSE/DPI Update Friday February 21 2003 8.00am (Day 45)
Current Summary
· The rain that entered north-west Victoria yesterday, from Central Australia started falling over the north-eastern section of the fire between 1.00 and 3.00 am this morning (up to 15mm has since fallen at Mt Hotham with lesser falls at lower altitudes). Overnight fire crews returned to base at around 3.00am.
· No rain has yet fallen in Gippsland, however the Bureau of Meteorology now expects between 5-15mm to fall over this section of the fire today, with further rain forecast in the area over the weekend.
· Yesterday a lengthy backburn in the Dargo area was successfully completed. This followed the completion of a 30km backburn in the area the previous day. The fire in the Omeo, Benambra areas and in the vicinity of Swift’s Creek was contained yesterday.
· For several days now crews have been working in difficult country between Mt Buffalo and Mt Buller to contain spot fires in the Razor-Viking Wilderness area. Today’s rain should assist these efforts. Similarly crews working to contain the large length of fireline in far East Gippsland (in the Goongerah/Tubbutt area) will be assisted by the forecast rain later today.
· To date, the Eastern Victorian fires have burnt 1.11 million hectares of Victorian parks and forests. This figure includes the large number of lightning-caused fires that were contained in the first weeks of January.
· The main Eastern Victorian fire, which stretches from Mt Buffalo in the west, to the NSW border and to the Tubbut area in East Gippsland, is still active and has burnt nearly 1.08 million hectares.
Weather in the north-east and East Gippsland
Today: Temperatures low to mid 20s. Rain gradually extending over the fire area.
Weekend: Mild, warm with possible further showers.
Resources on the Eastern Fires
· Personnel currently involved:
– Around 2000 from the Government agencies
– approximately 726 CFA from outside the Region supporting local volunteer brigades
– 19 Tasmania
– 39 New South Wales
– 30 New Zealand
– 35 USA
· Around 40 aircraft, over 250 specialised vehicles, nearly 100 bulldozers, and a major commitment from the Gippsland based timber industry.
Agencies involved
The Department of Sustainability and Environment, Department of Primary Industries, Parks Victoria, the Country Fire Authority, local plantation company brigades, forest industry crews and equipment, the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology, local municipalities, Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board (MFB), NSW State Forests, New Zealand fire and conservation agencies, The Salvation Army, Red Cross, Rural Ambulance Victoria, St John Ambulance, Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service, State Emergency Service, Victoria Police, WICEN (Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network) and several United States land management agencies.
Threats to private property and road closures
· For details of currently confirmed property losses please call CFA on 13 15 99. In total around 75,000 hectares of farming land has been burnt, 41 houses, over 200 other buildings and 11,000 head of stock. Losses continue to be assessed.
· See description of individual fires for current threats to private property. For information on significant fires on private land in rural Victoria, please call the CFA on 13 15 99 or 1 800 240 667.
· For information regarding public road closures, please call the Victoria Police Emergency Information Line on 1800 444 343.
· For information on Gippsland fires, and on post fire assistance, please call the Traralgon Information Line on 1800 668 066 (8am – 8pm).
Community Information
· Community meetings continue to be held throughout the area. To date 85 community meetings have been conducted in the North East and Gippsland, with around 8,000 people attending. Community meetings are currently scheduled for today in Walhalla (Mechanics Institute at 6.30pm), Monday at Willow Grove (Community Hall at 7.30pm) and on Tuesday in Erica (Town Hall at 7.00pm).
· Farmers affected by fire are invited to a two-hour on-farm information session to address key issues that will influence farm recovery from the fires. These sessions are being conducted jointly by the Department of Primary Industries and the VFF. Topics will include feeding livestock, farmer’s experience in recovery after fire and pasture recovery from the fire. Sessions will be held on Monday February 24 in Omeo/Swifts Creek area from 10.00am till 12.00pm and Omeo Valley/Benambra from 2.00pm till 4.00pm, and on Tuesday February 25 in Wulgulmerang from 10.00am till 12.00pm. For details please call Department of Primary Industries, Bairnsdale on (03) 5152 0600.
· Liaison between local shires/DSE/DPI/CFA/PV and Victoria Police continues on a regular basis, as does liaison with NSW fire agencies. Local Community Updates continue to be circulated on a regular basis.
· The DSE website (www.nre.vic.gov.au) is being regularly updated with fire information, including community newsletters and maps.
Fire Statistics
Victoria has around 7.7 million hectares of parks and forests. In an average summer around 620 wildfires occur and these burn around 110,000 hectares. To date this season 724 fires have occurred. These have burnt over 1.3 million hectares. The 20-year average for this time of year is 358 fires, having burnt over 68, 400 hectares.
Source: DSE/DPI
CSA Fire Update
Latest Fire Maps 21 Feb 10:30am
North East Fire Maps 21/02/2003
The following maps are updated up to twice daily:
Overview Map – (jpeg approx 200kb)
Closer view of North East Fires – (jpeg approx 200kb)
Hi resolution PDF file of Fires (can zoom in on this map) – Large Download* (pdf size from 2 to 3Mb)
Further Information:
CSIRO also provide online mapping of the fires situation at http://www.sentinel.csiro.au
*Note – this map is hosted on the Land Victoria website.
Mansfield District Fire Update 21 Feb 11:30am
Information for the local community about the progress of the Mt. Buffalo fire and the measures being implemented to control that fire. Produced from the Intergrated Multi Agency Coordination Centre (IMACC) at Benalla.
21/02/2003
What is happening?
This community update is aimed at providing the latest information about the fire burning on the southern perimeter of Mt Buffalo. Affected communities within the Rural City of Wangaratta and the Mansfield Shire will receive ongoing information about the fire situation. This information will be made available through the Shire offices, local schools, post offices, general stores, hotels and community notice boards. Information on the fire situation is available on websites for the Department of Sustainability and Environment, the Country Fire Authority, the Rural City of Wangaratta (www.wangaratta.vic.gov.au) and the Mt Buller Resort website. Timely updates will be provided through local radio and the Victoria Police and Parks Victoria information lines.
Thick smoke in the area has caused some residents to be concerned, but fire authorities wish to reassure local communities that there is no immediate threat to life or property. View an image of the area
First overview:
The fire in the Abbeyard area has remained a concern for fire crews and it forms part of the statewide strategic fire control plan.
Over the last couple of days, spot fires have crossed a small section of the Abbeyard containment line approx. 30 km south of the Mt Buffalo fire. This breakaway on Harry Shepherds Track, just north of Selwyn Track, is slowly progressing west. The breakaway is circled by the Selwyn / West Buffalo tracks.
Bulldozers have created containment lines from the eastern end of the Wonnangatta Track to Speculation Track. Additional containment lines are being prepared along the Cobbler Lake Track, the Staircase and Speculation Road.
Weather Watch:
Current weather conditions: there has been light overnight rain with more rain forecast for the weekend. Temperatures are in the low to mid 20’s with similar predicted for the coming days.
Further information and updates can be found on the DSE website.
Rain in North-East Victoria Eases Fire Conditions
A joint media release from CFA and DSE 21/02/2003
Current Summary
The rain that entered north-west Victoria yesterday, from Central Australia started falling over the north-eastern section of the fire between 1.00 and 3.00 am this morning (up to 15mm has since fallen at Mt Hotham with lesser falls at lower altitudes). Overnight fire crews returned to base at around 3.00am.
No rain has yet fallen in Gippsland, however the Bureau of Meteorology now expects between 5-15mm to fall over this section of the fire today, with further rain forecast in the area over the weekend.
Yesterday a lengthy backburn in the Dargo area was successfully completed. This followed the completion of a 30km backburn in the area the previous day. The fire in the Omeo, Benambra areas and in the vicinity of Swift’s Creek was contained yesterday.
For several days now crews have been working in difficult country between Mt Buffalo and Mt Buller to contain spot fires in the Razor-Viking Wilderness area. Today’s rain should assist these efforts. Similarly crews working to contain the large length of fireline in far East Gippsland (in the Goongerah/Tubbutt area) will be assisted by the forecast rain later today.
To date, the Eastern Victorian fires have burnt 1.11 million hectares of Victorian parks and forests. This figure includes the large number of lightning-caused fires that were contained in the first weeks of January.
The main Eastern Victorian fire, which stretches from Mt Buffalo in the west, to the NSW border and to the Tubbut area in East Gippsland, is still active and has burnt nearly 1.08 million hectares.
Weather in the North East and East Gippsland
Today:
Temperatures low to mid 20s. Rain gradually extending over the fire area.
Weekend:
Mild, warm with possible further showers.
Personnel currently involved:
Around 2000 from the Government agencies
Approximately 726 CFA from outside the Region supporting local volunteer brigades
19 Tasmania
39 New South Wales
30 New Zealand
35 USA
Around 40 aircraft, over 250 specialised vehicles, nearly 100 bulldozers, and a major commitment from the Gippsland based timber industry.
Agencies Involved
The Department of Sustainability and Environment, Department of Primary Industries, Parks Victoria, the Country Fire Authority, local plantation company brigades, forest industry crews and equipment, the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology, local municipalities, Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board (MFB), NSW State Forests, New Zealand fire and conservation agencies, The Salvation Army, Red Cross, Rural Ambulance Victoria, St John Ambulance, Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service, State Emergency Service, Victoria Police, WICEN (Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network) and several United States land management agencies.
Threats to Private Property and Road Closures
For details of currently confirmed property losses please call CFA on 13 15 99.
In total around 75,000 hectares of farming land has been burnt, 41 houses, over 200 other buildings and 11,000 head of stock. Losses continue to be assessed.
See description of individual fires for current threats to private property. For information on significant fires on private land in rural Victoria, please call the CFA on 13 15 99 or 1800 240 667.
For information regarding public road closures, please call the Victoria Police Emergency Information Line on 1800 444 343.
For information on Gippsland fires, and on post fire assistance, please call the Traralgon Information Line on 1800 668 066 (8am – 8pm).
Fire Statistics
Victoria has around 7.7 million hectares of parks and forests. In an average summer around 620 wildfires occur and these burn around 110,000 hectares. To date this season 724 fires have occurred. These have burnt over 1.3 million hectares. The 20-year average for this time of year is 358 fires, having burnt over 68, 400 hectares.
Source: CFA (Country Fire Authority)
Further informationand resources
Information hotlines for residents in the Towong Shire (02) 6071 5100 and theAlpine Shire 5755 0524
Victoria Police Information hotline (road closures) 1800 444 343
Parks Victoria Hotline 13 19 63
CFA Community Hotline 1800 240 667
Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) website
DSECommunity Updates – available for Upper Murray, Ovens and Kiewa Valley,Gippsland, Beechworth and Bogong fires. Detailed reports, produced daily.
NSW RuralFire Service website
…and stay tuned to your local radio station.
GFMC Note
With letters directed to the A.C.T. Bushfire Service and the CFA Victoria on 26January 2003 the GFMC has offered liaison with Russia for the deployment ofIL-76 air tankers to assist the Australian authorities in fire suppression.
Currentweather situation, forecasts, fireweather http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/tas/ Actual fire Situation Tasmania Actual Fire Situation Maps, Tasmania More Information on Australian Fires IFFN country notes Further Information Australian and New Zealand links. Background information Recent Media Highlights on Fire, Policies, and Politics
Australia´s fire seasons
