Gisborne firefighters on stand-by

Firefighters from Gisborne and District Brigades are on stand-by for possible deployment to the fire in the Mt Baw Baw area.

DSE firefighters are battling a large blaze at Aberfeldy, north of Baw Baw National Park in Gippsland.

The bushfire has burnt around 4,200 hectares.

It's burning out of control in the Donnely Creek area between Aberfeldy and Walhalla, north of Erica.

"We have a crew on the ready to help out if required" said Comms Officer Bevan Moody.

Fire authorities anticipate Licola Road will be impacted by fire in the early hours of Friday morning, 18 January. Residents of Licola and surrounds should consider leaving the area as soon as possible as the road is likely to be closed.

A significant increase in wind speed is expected this evening and into the early morning. This combined with the predicted south westerly wind change will cause severe and unpredictable fire behaviour.

Total Fire Bans in place 17 January

A Total Fire Ban has been declared for Thursday 17 January in the Wimmera, South West, Central and North Central districts, including Gisborne.

No fire can be lit in the open air from 00:01 hours on 17 January 2013 until 23:59 hours on 17 January 2013.

To find out what you can and can’t do on a day of Total Fire Ban, please visit http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/warnings-restrictions/can/

Plan to leave early - Don't hesitate, if you can see smoke, you're leaving it too late. A fire that is miles away could be at your door in minutes. Find out More

Know your trigger to leave

- See more at: http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/leave-early/#sthash.kSV0cIFz.dpuf

CFA warns of severe fire danger

Gisborne residents are being urged to check and confirm their bushfire plans ahead of a forecasted scorcher on Thursday. Severe fire danger conditions, the third highest rating, are being predicted for Gisborne on Thursday.

"We're certainly preparing for a potentially bad day on Thursday," Gisborne CFA Captain Sam Strang said on Monday. Residents are asked to remain vigilant for any fire activity, and report any sighting of fire to 000. Macedon Ranges is currently in a Fire Danger Period, and the Fire Danger Period means fires cannot be lit in the open air at any time without a written permit from CFA or from a Municipal Fire Prevention Officer. More information is available at http://news.cfa.vic.gov.au/news-in-brief/item/301-restrictions-in-macedon-ranges-shire.html

Acting Victorian chief health officer Michael Ackland has issued a heat health alert for the day, reminding people at risk to take precautions. On days of high heat risk, Hot Day out centres are set up in Macedon Ranges to provide a cool environment for people at risk of heat disease. A number to call for more information about the Hot Day centres is at http://www.mrsc.vic.gov.au/Page/Page.aspx?Page_Id=3843

More high fire danger days predicted

With a short reprieve from the high temperatures of the last few days, it's worth checking out what you can and can't do on days of high fire danger. CFA have a handy guide http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/warnings-restrictions/can/ that outlines everything you need to do to be safe and reduce the risk of a fire.

Grass fire danger rises

The vulnerability of Gisborne to grass fire has been emphasised recently with several grass fires occuring nearby in Sunbury. In the most recent, on January 8th 2013, a large area was burnt, threatening several houses before being successfully contained by crews attending. 

A CFA spokeswoman said 20 hectares were burnt with a shed, car and some fences lost.

More than 28 CFA and MFB crews and a helicopter fought the fire.

With tomorrow Friday the 11th of January being declared a day of Total Fire Ban for the whole state of Victoria, it is more important than ever that people living in the rural/urban interface zone, which includes Gisborne, being prepared with their own Bushfire Survival Kit, available here.