A State of Disaster was last Thursday declared in East Gippsland and the High Country and that is certainly the case.
While fire activity didn’t reach the heights of last Monday night and Tuesday in East Gippsland, High Country towns such as Omeo, Swifts Creek, Dinner Plain and Mount Hotham were at the centre of extreme threat as the areas affected closes in on one million hectares.
Scorching temperatures, winds and gusts above 50km/h and a wind direction change from northerly to south-westerly significantly increased the size of these fires. Australian Defence Force (ADF) Blackhawk and Chinook helicopters removed around 100 High Country residents and tourists from Omeo Recreation Reserve at around 3.30pm on Saturday while more than 200 stayed to protect their properties.
However, due to a blanketing smoke, ADF helicopters were unable to get into the isolated Mallacoota.
At Mallacoota, which was again plunged into darkness around 2pm, Navy ships had successfully removed around 1000 people, taken to the port of Hastings, east of Melbourne. Melbourne Lord Mayor, Sally Capp, had booked accommodation in the city for all people brought to safety.
Along with the Navy, East Gippsland locals have also hit the water and evacuate people from Mallacoota on smaller boats, returning them to land at Paynesville.
More evacuations were taking place as conditions eased yesterday and they are still ongoing.
Bruthen CFA captain, James Nicholas, made the difficult decision to remove firefighters from the perimeter of the town on Friday night.
“We are physically unable, with remaining assets, to conduct perimeter defence of the township, that’s why you should leave now,” he said.
“All firefighting appliances and personnel will be withdrawn to the centre of Bruthen to defend critical infrastructure and preserve life.”
Fires continued to burn to the north of Bairnsdale, Bruthen and Nowa Nowa, however with easing conditions warnings had been downgraded.
The Federal Government, while copping some criticism for its handling of the fires, on Saturday announced that 3000 defence force reservists and another three navy ships were deployed, multiple planes and helicopters would be in the air and $20 million would be used to lease four firefighting planes.
The government also announced it would pay volunteer firefighters up to $6000 for loss of income and emergency payments would be made to those who have lost homes or income due to fire.
Another positive outcome was the number of people unaccounted for dropping from 28 to 21 and late on Saturday down to six. At time of going to press that number remained.
Two people have been confirmed deceased in East Gippsland.
Property loses were reported at more than 100, although not all areas of the region could be assessed at time of going to press.
Following last Monday’s disaster, locals and visitors were this weekend more vigilant in tackling the bushfires. Warnings in Metung and Lakes Entrance on Thursday were heeded with thousands of people evacuating the area. More people evacuated Orbost and Marlo following community meetings on Friday.
While the fire threat is far from over, emergency services were pleased with the response amid dangerous conditions over the weekend.
The bushfires have now captured the attention of Australian and international audiences with high profile people, including tennis star, Nick Kyrigos, Australian cricketers Glenn Maxwell, D’Arcy Short, Chris Lynn, Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins, NBA basketballer, Ben Simmons, have pledged their support in numerous ways, while American popstar, P!nk, has donated $50,000 directly to fire services while pleading for others to donate to the numerous relief funds and fire services.
Support has also came in the form of Red Cross, St John’s Ambulance, St Vinnies and Sikh Volunteers Australia, while donations of clothes, food, drink and money has supported many affected.
Stock feed was supplied to farmers from convoys that had left Leongatha and Ballarat.
And while conditions eased yesterday, the area got a muchneeded drink of rain yesterday with more expected today.
IMAGE: A convoy of semi trailers with hay from other parts of Victoria stopped at Bairnsdale Saleyards before moving into the fire zones of Bruthen, Buchan and Swifts Creek. The convoy was escorted by seven fire trucks. The fodder needed by farmers in the fire-affected areas will be distributed to farms from the townships. K9-3966