http://ozreport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5495 for pictures.


Heather <> writes:

On December 9th a fire started on the west side of the Tawonga Gap
ridge - somewhere down near Freeburgh. There are suspicions that it was
deliberately lit by some moron. Since then the fire has raced up the
Harrietville valley and up the Tawonga Gap ridge, fanned by very strong NW
winds, and then proceeded down the east side of the ridge into the Kiewa Valley.
We were busy all day yesterday and today spraying water around family properties
in case flying embers landed and started house fires. Mart slept outside last
night to keep an eye on the fire line which was clearly visible as it moved down
into the gullies!


The water bombing helicopters have been working non-stop in daylight hours to
try to bring the fires under control - many of the areas are inaccessible to
fire crews. The lake at Mt. Beauty has been well utilized by the helicranes.
Spot fires are also a problem with such strong winds and I believe the chalet on
Mt. Buffalo is also under threat again.


Last night the winds calmed so that some fire containment lines could be put in
and the fires were actually doing some good by reducing the forest ground fuel
(leaf litter). The winds picked up again though this afternoon and have swung
around to very strong SW tonight. It's 4 am at the moment and smoke from a large
fire up behind Mt. Beauty has blanketed the valley (again). Hopefully the
forecast for light winds later today will help slow any movement of that fire
towards the town.


I have some basic things packed ready to throw into the car if we have to make a
quick get-away - certainly makes life more exciting than it needs to be
though:-)