CFA Media Contact: 5330 3124
DSE Media Contact: 9412 4777
Joint Media statement
From the State Control Centre
Monday, 11 January 2010
CODE RED IN NORTHERN COUNTRY AND NORTH EAST
Emergency services are prepared for Code Red conditions in the Northern Country and the North East
tomorrow (Tuesday).
Dangerous conditions will move across the State tonight, reaching the Northern Country and the North
East tomorrow.
State Controller Russell Rees said communities in these districts need to be on alert.
“Emergency services are prepared and we want the community to be prepared as well,” Mr Rees said.
Code Red is the highest Fire Danger Rating and the safest option if you are in a high risk area in one of
these districts is to leave early – the night before or early in the day on a Code Red day.
Extreme conditions are expected in the North Central and the Mallee tomorrow.
“Extreme is a very serious Fire Danger Rating and communities need to be prepared,” Mr Rees said.
The CFA responded to more than 100 incidents across the State today. All incidents were quickly
controlled and there were no major fires. The Wimmera experienced a Code Red day as expected.
“The risk was very real and fire services and the community were prepared,” Mr Rees said.
A total fire ban has been declared in the North Western, North Eastern, Eastern and Central districts
tomorrow.
Mr Rees said communities across Victoria should remain on alert throughout the night and into
tomorrow.
“Tonight will be very hot with potential for strong hot winds during the night. Dangerous conditions will
precede a cool change which will cross the state tomorrow.
“It is vital that people listen to the radio, keep up to date with the weather and keep themselves
informed.”
On a Code Red day you can’t rely on being able to defend your home. If you are in a high risk area and
your plan is to leave, the safest option is to leave the area the night before or early in the day on a day
when the Fire Danger Rating is Code Red in your district.
It’s important to remember that extreme and severe are also very serious Fire Danger Ratings. If you are
in a high risk area and your plan is to leave, the safest option is to leave early in the day on a day when
the Fire Danger Rating is severe or extreme in your district.
CFA Media Contact: 5330 3124
DSE Media Contact: 9412 4777
For the latest weather warnings, listen to ABC local radio, commercial radio stations or Sky News
television, go to cfa.vic.gov.au or call the Victorian Bushfire Information line on 1800 240 667.
DSE Chief Officer Ewan Waller said DSE and Parks Victoria have closed parks and forests in the
Northern Country and the North East for tomorrow and have advised people that are camping in those
areas, particularly along the Murray and Goulburn Rivers, to leave tonight or first thing in the morning
and go to a safer area for the day.
“It is going to be a very hot and windy day in these areas and families should sit out the day in a cool and
safe place like a major town centre,” Mr Waller said.
“If you are travelling or plan to travel in bushfire prone areas you should monitor the situation and
prepare to change your travel plans.
“Avoid any non-essential travel. People on holidays or away from home should closely monitor the
weather and fire conditions in the areas they are visiting.”
NEWS 
