Fire recovery agency announced as ADF ramps up rescue efforts amid calmer weather conditions

Hundreds of residents in Victoria's alpine region remain in a danger zone with three fires threatening to converge, while Melburnians have been warned to brace for "hazardous" air quality. It comes as victims of the crisis urge fellow Victorians to donate to a new appeal fund.

Staff writers

less than 2 min read

January 5, 2020 - 11:15PM

Victorian authorities say details of the federal intervention to the bushfire crisis are "unclear", despite a massive response from the government that mobilised the ADF and thousands of army reservists.

And despite easing weather conditions in Victoria, authorities have warned that the fire danger is far from over.

While a rain band swept across Melbourne and east towards the fire-ravaged regions, a Bureau of Meteorology spokesperson described the rain as a “double-edged sword”.

When rain mixes with ash on the ground, the combination hinder emergency efforts by making terrain more difficult for firefighters to navigate.

RECAP YESTERDAY’S COVERAGE

An unprecedented state of disaster remains in place as:

• Four people remain missing, down from 21;

• 1,000,000ha of land has been burnt, and

• About 110 properties and 220 outbuildings razed.

Tweets by vicemergency

MORE BUSHFIRE NEWS

BUSHFIRE RELIEF: HOW TO HELP

THOUSANDS OF DEFENCE PERSONNEL DEPLOYED

RELIEF AS MALLACOOTA EVACUEES REACH LAND

Updates

Today's live blog has come to an end. See all the latest emergency warnings in the Vic Emergency Twitter updates above.

Here is a quick recap:

– Hundreds of Victorians remain in a danger zone with only a river separating Victoria’s Corryong fire from two NSW fires;

– 4 people are missing, two have been confirmed dead,

– 1,000,000ha of land has been burnt,

– 110 properties and 220 outbuildings razed,

– 33 fires currently burning,

– Air quality warning for vulnerable Victorians,

– Help has arrived for devastated farmers in Buchan, with a convoy of trucks receiving a hero's welcome,

– Premier Daniel Andrews revealed a new Bushfire Appeal Fund would be set up, kickstarted with $2 million in state money,

– Mr Andrews urged people donating food and clothes to instead give money to the new state fund,

– More than 250 people were evacuated by air from Mallacoota.

– Two emergency warnings are in place for residents to the northeast of Mallacoota due to active fires in the Drummer State Forest and Merremingger State Forest that are not yet under control.

– 23 Watch and Act warnings for communities in East Gippsland, the Alpine regions and state's northeast

Today's live blog has ended

shelbygarlick

Today's live blog has come to an end. See all the latest emergency warnings in the Vic Emergency Twitter updates above.

Here is a quick recap:

– Hundreds of Victorians remain in a danger zone with only a river separating Victoria’s Corryong fire from two NSW fires;

– 4 people are missing, two have been confirmed dead,

– 1,000,000ha of land has been burnt,

– 110 properties and 220 outbuildings razed,

– 33 fires currently burning,

– Air quality warning for vulnerable Victorians,

– Help has arrived for devastated farmers in Buchan, with a convoy of trucks receiving a hero's welcome,

– Premier Daniel Andrews revealed a new Bushfire Appeal Fund would be set up, kickstarted with $2 million in state money,

– Mr Andrews urged people donating food and clothes to instead give money to the new state fund,

– More than 250 people were evacuated by air from Mallacoota.

– Two emergency warnings are in place for residents to the northeast of Mallacoota due to active fires in the Drummer State Forest and Merremingger State Forest that are not yet under control.

– 23 Watch and Act warnings for communities in East Gippsland, the Alpine regions and state's northeast

Nervous wait for residents in Alpine region

shelbygarlick

Hundreds of Victorians remain in a danger zone with three huge fires threatening to converge.

Only a river separated Victoria’s Corryong fire from two NSW fires.

Emergency services said more than half the residents in the likely junction zone were refusing to leave their alpine homes.

Two blazes burning on Sunday across the border in NSW’s Kosciuszko National Park were split only by a single ridge, meaning less than 10km stood between them at the narrowest point.

As authorities doubled down on demands for people to evacuate, distressed residents told them communication needed to improve to convince elderly relatives.

Read the full report

Appeals for funds

shelbygarlick

Victorians are being urged to dig deep to help those who have lost everything in the bushfire crisis, as leaders vowed to work together to rebuild communities.

Amid pleas for help from victims, Premier Daniel Andrews revealed a new Bushfire Appeal Fund would be set up, kickstarted with $2 million in state money.

He also praised Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s pledge to provide Victoria with whatever money was needed to repair roads, bridges and vital infrastructure.

Mr Andrews urged people donating food and clothes to instead give money to the new state fund chaired by former deputy premier Pat McNamara, who led a similar scheme following Black Saturday.

Mr Andrews said it was too early to talk about the possibility of the fire services levy increasing to help pay for the rebuild, and defended the amount of planned burning done in Victoria.

Two Zoos Victoria vets have headed to Mallacoota to treated injured wildlife.

The Healesville Sanctuary staffers, Dr Leanne Wicker and veterinary nurse Evie Tochterman, were given permission to enter the devastated fire ground, amid "countless" injuries to wildlife.

“Despite their injuries and trauma, the bravery shown by the koalas and wildlife at Mallacoota is inspiring,” Dr Wicker said.

Zoos Victoria chief executive Dr Jenny Gray said it was estimated that as many as 500 million animals, including critically endangered species, had perished in the bushfires across the country.

Help arrives for injured wildlife

shelbygarlick

Two Zoos Victoria vets have headed to Mallacoota to treated injured wildlife.

The Healesville Sanctuary staffers, Dr Leanne Wicker and veterinary nurse Evie Tochterman, were given permission to enter the devastated fire ground, amid "countless" injuries to wildlife.

“Despite their injuries and trauma, the bravery shown by the koalas and wildlife at Mallacoota is inspiring,” Dr Wicker said.

Zoos Victoria chief executive Dr Jenny Gray said it was estimated that as many as 500 million animals, including critically endangered species, had perished in the bushfires across the country.

Air quality warning for vulnerable Victorians

shelbygarlick

Air quality across Victoria has reached hazardous levels according to the Environment Protection Authority and everyone, especially for those with breathing conditions, have been advised to limit time outdoors and follow any treatment plans.

The state-wide community information notice was issued by Vic Emergency at 2.00pm today, and the warning is expected to remain until Wednesday January 8.

A Royal Melbourne Hospital Spokesperson said those with asthma, or pre-existing heart or lung conditions should remain extra vigilant in these conditions.

“It’s important that vulnerable populations, such as the elderly or those with breathing related conditions should avoid strenuous outdoor activities and keep their medication with them at all times,” he said.

VIC Health has also advised Victorians to use a P2 or N95 face mask when possible.

– Alexandra Gauci

Emergency hay from around Victoria is being donated to bushfire-ravaged farmers in East Gippsland with an army of trucks hitting the road to deliver feed and supplies.
Scores of trucks rolled into communities in East Gippsland today bringing much-need food for stock as well as toiletries, clothes and non-perishable items for the locals.

One convoy of almost 30 vehicles set out from Ballarat towards Omeo, Ensay, Buchan and Tambo Crossing.
While separate convoys headed to other areas needing urgent assistance, with an estimated 200 trucks hitting the road across the state.

– Alex White

Help on the way to bushfire-ravaged farmers

shelbygarlick

– Alex White

On a hill above Euroa, in the state’s northeast, the glow of flames was described as ‘like lava’.
The fast-moving grass fire raced across the Balmattum Hill Bushland Reserve on Saturday, prompting a warning for nearby residents to leave immediately as the Hume Freeway was closed between Seymour and Euroa.
More than 30 fire trucks responded as crews tackled steep terrain to reach the blaze, while water bombing helicopters gave aid from above.

The first alert for the fire was issued about 8.45am and by night-time the hillside was still ablaze, though the danger had passed and it was declared under control without having reached neighbouring properties.
A photo taken about 9.45pm on Saturday by Euroa resident Melissa Ericksen captured the brightly glowing fire.
Ms Ericksen described the scene as “terrifying yet beautiful”.
She said the hill had been shrouded in smoke all day and it was not until the sun had set that people got a sense of how dramatic the fire was.
Her image was shared widely on social media, including by the Maindample Rural Fire Brigade who added the caption: “looks like lava”.
Teenager Jackson Leslight lives about 400m from the fire and said it if it wasn’t for a wind change, his home may not have survived.
The 18-year-old, his girlfriend Joan Fleming and his parents packed their essential items within 15 minutes in the morning and watched on anxiously.
He said there was a huge sense of relief when a wind change blew the smoke away from their residential street late in the afternoon.
By night, the danger had passed however he said there was an eerie glow lingering.
“Even though they were starting to control it, the tops of trees were just glowing red, it was surreal,” he said.
“It’s almost like looking at the night sky when you’re looking down from a plane on top of a city. I haven’t seen anything like that. It was sort of morbidly beautiful, to be honest.”
Fire crews were still at the scene in Euroa on Sunday, where rain and cooler weather brought more relief. The Hume Freeway roadblock was lifted 1.50pm on Sunday.

– Josh Fagan

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Fire recovery agency announced as ADF ramps up rescue efforts amid calmer weather conditions

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