Code Red In Northern Country And North East

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11th January 2010, 09:08pm - Views: 980





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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.


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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.” 



Visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au for updated information.









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