No end in sight for Australian Wildfires. emergency services warn
Pastor Dale Morgan
No end in sight for Australian Wildfires. emergency services warn*
By Xavier La Canna
AAP
February 24, 2009 12:09pm
VICTORIAN authorities have warned there's no end in sight to the
disastrous bushfires that have so far claimed more than 200 lives.
"It is important that people understand the events of Black Saturday are
not over," the state's Emergency Services Commissioner Bruce Esplin said.
"The devastating fire season continues."
Updated figures confirm at least 2029 homes have been destroyed, with
more than 6000 insurance claims lodged, totalling $775 million.
Mr Esplin said 78 townships have been affected by the bushfires, which
broke out on February 7.
Yesterday, five firefighters were injured in two separate incidents,
with two admitted to hospital and kept overnight.
Four major fires are still burning and the authorities are bracing for a
return to temperatures in the high 30s and strong winds in and around
Melbourne on Friday.
Mr Esplin said about 400 fires flared up yesterday, and forecasts of
more severe conditions on Friday meant everyone must be prepared.
"The weather conditions as they are forecast at the moment are putting
it into the extreme category again ... there is definitely no room for
complacency," he said.
Country Fire Authority (CFA) chief Russell Rees said this week officers
would attempt to 'round up' and secure as many fires as possible.
"We have to do our very best to manage both the fatigue amongst our
crew, but keep going hard enough so we can contain these fires and
prepare for Friday," Mr Rees said.
Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) chief officer Ewan
Waller identified fires causing most concern today as those at
Daylesford, Won Wron, Upwey, Belgrave, Kilmore East and Murrindindi.
"The work today will be about getting containment lines around these new
fires," Mr Waller said.
"It is really critical we get these fires contained, bedded down and
settled before the bad weather on Friday.
"That is the whole intent and that will be the whole game plan."
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Stephen Fontana said officers
were investigating what sparked yesterday's blazes.