5 January 2019
As fire and weather conditions ease across the state following the first very hot day of 2019, firefighters continue to work on two fires that started yesterday at Rosedale in Gippsland and Strathbogie, around 25 kilometres south of Euroa.
A Watch and Act warning is in place for the Rosedale fire for local towns and Advice messages remain in place for fires as Strathbogie, which is now contained and a fire at Tallangatta Valley.
For the first time in Australia night firebombing took place overnight on Friday at the Rosedale fire which proved to be successful on an area of 500ha. At the height of the fire there was 110 personnel, over 30 trucks, various machinery and 10 aircraft fighting the fire.
Throughout the day on Friday firefighters responded to 195 fires which were made safe, including 107 bush, grass and scrub fires.
A total of 48 warnings were issued including two Emergency Warning, 17 Watch and Act messages and three telephone alerts.
More than 100,000 people visited beaches to cool off, which resulted in lifesavers performing 39 rescues.
Ten people had to be rescued from locked cars by emergency services.
State Response Controller Tim Wiebusch said yesterday’s heat and fire weather had a significant impact across Victoria.
“I would like to acknowledge the hard work of all those emergency management personnel called upon yesterday including firefighting agencies the CFA, Forest Fire Management Victoria and Parks Victoria,” he said.
“There is still a Very High fire danger rating for the Mallee and Wimmera today, we are only at the start of what is typically a dangerous period for fire and weather conditions in Victoria so awareness of conditions will be key for the next few months.
“With large numbers of people away from home and moving around the state this weekend, everyone should keep up to date with the conditions and know where they can get emergency information.”
Stay informed by tuning in to ABC local radio, commercial and designated radio stations or Sky News TV, download the VicEmergency app, emergency.vic.gov.au, VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226 or connect with VicEmergency on Twitter and Facebook.
The department acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past and present.