High Fire Alert - Warburton Valley and surrounds
Victoria?s fire services warn of severe fire threat
Victoria is extremely vulnerable to fires ahead of more extreme weather conditions this week. The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting temperatures in the 30s for Monday with northerly winds and a late change leading to very high to locally extreme fire danger.
The forecast shows extreme forest fire danger in the Mallee, and very high fire danger (forest and grassland) elsewhere except in East Gippsland. There is little chance of rain, other than on Wednesday afternoon, when thunderstorms are predicted for the western part of the state.
The area of particular concern is the Warburton Valley. Residents in the valley will be most at risk following the wind change due late afternoon on Monday, and are advised to have a fire plan ready.
CFA and DSE advise residents in the Warburton Valley that if they decide to leave, they should leave early on either Sunday evening or early Monday morning. If fire does reach the valley, residents who have left should be prepared to stay away for several days. With limited road access in the Warburton Valley, the roads are a dangerous place to be during a fire threat.
Residents in the Yarra Valley including communities in the vicinity of Warburton, East Warburton, McMahons Creek, Reefton, Wesburn, Millgrove, Yarra Junction, Gladysdale, Powelltown, Enoch Point, Launching Place, Don Valley, Hoddles Creek, Woori Yallock, Yellingbo, Seville, Wandin and McMahons Creek, are advised to have their fire plans ready, and to be aware of the high level of activity on the roads.
** Taken from the DSE website.
