Convoy to lead Cann River residents to Orbost

A convoy of cars will be escorted out of Cann River ahead of dangerous fire conditions in coming days. The town was cut-off due to blocked roads, power outages and looming fires yesterday.

A convoy of cars and buses will this afternoon be led out of isolated Cann River, which remains without power, ahead of dangerous fire conditions over the next few days.

An alert sent to people in the area, and read to the Herald Sun, said residents could relocate to Orbost - about 70km west along the Princes Highway.

“If you would like to relocate from Cann River to Orbost due to fire danger you can do so today by bus or convoy in your vehicle,” the alert read.

Scenes from Cann River on Wednesday night. Picture: Micheal O’Brian

Cann River was cut off from neighbouring towns after the fire closed in, roads were blocked and power went down. Picture: Micheal O’Brian

Warren Fenner, from W&J Fenner Logging, has been working alongside Department of Land, Water and Planning staff and timber industry contractors to clear roads around Cann River and Club Terrance that were blocked by fallen trees.

More than a dozen people were stuck in Club Terrace, where homes were destroyed, before the road was cleared yesterday.

“Now we’ve gained access through there, there were fuel and supplies taken in and some people came out,” Mr Fenner said.

“Once we cleared our way in, we had to clear our way back out because of the falling trees.

“We know most residents (in Club Terrace) so they were very happy to see us and be able to get out.”

Cann River residents will be led from the town on Thursday, ahead of worsening bushfire conditions in coming days. Picture: Micheal O’Brian

A fire can be seen raging behind the Cann River school. Picture: Robert Puyenbroek

Mr Fenner told the Herald Sun that work was underway to widen and reinforce containment lines around Cann River ahead of worsening weather conditions this weekend.

“The fire is very fragmented around Cann River so we are trying to put in containment lines,” he said.

“The restoration work has (moved) aside to the preparation work for the weekend.”

“Meet at Cann River School at 3pm.”

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The Fenner family was split on Monday as a string of fires ripped through East Gippsland.

Mr Fenner had been holidaying in Mallacoota with his wife Julieann and two of his three teenage sons but headed to Granite Mountain to move vital equipment to Cann River.

Ms Fenner and the couple’s youngest son, Brayden, 13, returned to Orbost while 17-year-old Lachlan stayed in Mallacoota, where he is now trapped with his girlfriend.

“It was a little bit stressful,” Mr Fenner said.

“My services were better with the equipment. I put faith in other people to look after my family.”

He added: “I was with my yellow family and what you need when there’s a fire is the Caterpillar (equipment) family.”