Following the significant weather event experienced across the state last Thursday, a band of lightning ignited a substantial number of fires across East Gippsland.
The lightning moved slowly across the region into Far East Gippsland overnight into Friday providing fire fighters with challenging conditions.
Gippsland regional controller, Ben Rankin, said although the weather is cooler and the wind had dropped considerably, a lot of these fires were in very remote areas and therefore terribly difficult to combat.
“Our ground crews are battling to access some of these fires because of the steep, remote spots they are in. This is where our planes and helicopters become indispensable. However, people need to be aware that we need to prioritise which fires are worked on first,” Mr Rankin said.
Yesterday morning a watch and act warning was issued for a bushfire at Ramrod Creek, east of Bruthen. The bushfire is travelling in a north-westerly direction after burning strongly on Saturday night and is approaching Dead Horse Creek Road.
A bushfire five kilometres north of Bruthen was contained, but firefighters are continuing to black out hot spots.
Two bushfires near Tosatree were also brought under control. Firefighters continuing to work on the bushfire 7km south of Tosatree with sections of Moras Break and Montas Break roads closed. Meanwhile, the blaze 3km east of Tosatree had not impacted the Princes Highway, but speed restrictions are in place.
Two vehicles contained a fire 4km south of Buchan South, while a small blaze 33km north of Mount Taylor is now under control.
A blaze on the west side of Barmouth Spur wasn’t under control as of 9.38am yesterday with ground crews and aircraft responding.
A number of fires west and north of Gelantipy and south-east of Butchers Ridge were not under control with nearby communities being issued an advice message.
Multiples fires are burning in the Mount Towonga and Mount Elmo areas as a result of lightning strikes. Aircraft and heavy machinery are operating to combat the blazes.
An advice message was issued for Mitta Mitta, Nelse and Tawonga for a fire 15km south-west of Granite Flat, while Glen Valley, Shannonvale and Glen Wills also received an advice message for a bushfire north of Shannonvale.
