Fire prompts evacuation order for Buffalo River Valley
An out-of-control bushfire is threatening homes south of Myrtleford, and residents in that area are urged to “evacuate now” ahead of volatile winds this afternoon.
VIC News
Don't miss out on the headlines from VIC News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
An evacuation order has been issued for an out-of-control fire, south of Myrtleford in the state’s northeast.
Anyone in the areas around Buffalo Creek, Buffalo River, Merriang, Merriang South and Nug Nug are advised to evacuate now.
The fire is to the northwest of Mt Buffalo and is threatening the Buffalo River Valley.
The blaze is expected to intensify this afternoon as southerly winds sweep in with a high potential for spotting into the valley.
The warning comes as residents of Mallacoota, Genoa and Gipsy Point have been invited to register to return to their communities.
Limited road access along the Princes Highway will be possible for an unspecified period of time.
“When it is safe to do so emergency services, working with Australian Defence Force, will commence flights and/or escorted road transport into Mallacoota and surrounds for residents who wish to return,’’ Victoria’s emergency services authority said.
Anyone wanting to register should call 131 444.
Meanwhile the communities in East Gippsland are still assessing the damage and loss caused by the fires.
Reports from Heritage East Gippsland suggest the East Gippsland Shire Council has been able to inspect 16 bridges so far, all damaged by the bushfires.
Nine timber bridges have been destroyed or damaged beyond repair, with three of these being heritage listed.
Four have been damaged but will be able to be repaired, and the Council is anticipating a further six timber bridges have been destroyed.
MORE NEWS
ACCUSED FRANKSTON CONWOMAN’S BIZARRE FACEBOOK RANTS
ORGANISED CBD PICKPOCKETING RING BUSTED IN POLICE RAIDS
MELBOURNE CRIME BOSS KICKED OUT OF AUSTRALIA
Five Watch and Act warnings are also in place across Victoria, indicating that the state’s bushfire crisis is far from over.
Two of the Watch & Act orders are for the Abbeyard blaze near the Buffalo Valley evacuation order.
The other three are in: Shannonvale, north of Anglers Rest; Tubbut in the north of East Gippsland; and in Wroxham, near the Gippsland-NSW border.
About 1.5 million hectares have been burnt in Victoria this summer.