Reko Rennie, Larissa Ham
March 2, 2009 - 4:29PM
Victorians close to fire-affected areas have been told to prepare for a "danger time" of severe bushfire weather tonight, with strong winds expected to hit the state this evening.
The SMS urged customers to listen to local ABC radio for emergency updates. During a briefing this morning, Emergency Services Commissioner Bruce Esplin warned Victorians that the next 48 to 64 hours were crucial, comparing the conditions to Ash Wednesday and Black Saturday.
Mr Esplin said if people are intending to leave tonight or tomorrow, to register their details and movements with the Red Cross.
Bushfire Hotline: 1800 240 667
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"It's time for the community to be prepared," he said.
"Don't be fooled by cool weather, the fire risk remains and emergency services are extremely concerned."
CFA chief officer Russell Rees said up to 4000 firefighters would be on the ground by tomorrow.
"Let me assure you we are not crying wolf.
"Let me assure you if we do work together we can survive and we can come through this.
"We expect with this these winds comes the risk of fire.
"Our worst situation is fires starting in the night and it's very disorientating for everybody."
Mr Rees said firefighters were preparing for worse conditions from 8pm tonight and he urged the community to be prepared.
He said it was important for Victorians to take notice and plan early.
WEATHER
TUESDAY: Minimum 21 degrees, maximum 32
- During the day: North-westerly winds reaching speeds of 60- 80 km/h, with gusts above 100 km/h in many locations.- From 4pm: A strong cold front will move across Victoria from the west, hitting Melbourne about 6pm, bringing very high winds and a wind change.- After the change: Winds will shift south-west to speeds of 50-70 km/h.
WHAT YOU NEED
- Bushfire survival plan
- Torch
- Radio
- Batteries
- Water
WHAT TO DO
- Be prepared to activate bushfire survival plan if necessary
- there may be little, if any, official warning of a fire's approach
- Decide now if you are going to stay or go.
- It is very dangerous to leave late with a fire in the area and road use will be extremely hazardous due to low visibility from smoke.
- Watch out for fallen trees, power lines, abandoned cars, wildlife and emergency services vehicles.
- Don't park vehicles under trees or other structures that may collapse or fall.
- If you plan to stay, remember to seek shelter from radiant heat.
- Wear appropriate protective clothing.- Should the fire reach your property, close all doors and windows and stay inside the house while the fire passes.
- Remain alert, extinguish any small fires and, if necessary, move outside to burnt ground once the fire has passed.
- Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
Make a Bushfire Plan
All people who live in a high bushfire risk area need to develop a Bushfire Survival Plan. A Bushfire Survival Plan is a well thought out plan about how you will prepare and respond to a fire in your area.
People should implement their plan each Total Fire Ban Day or on other high fire risk days when temperatures rise, the humidity is low and there are strong northerly winds.
You should decide well before summer whether you intend to leave your home on high fire risk days or stay and defend your property should a fire threaten your area
Your first decision is leave or stay
will you:
- Stay and actively defend,
- or Leave early
- When you will leave
- Where you will go
- How you will get there
- What you will take with you
- What you will do with your pets
- Who you have told about your plan
If your decision is to stay and defend your property, your plan needs to include:
- Where you and other family members will be
- What you will do if your children are at school when the fire starts
- Who will look after your pets
- What you will do if you have elderly relatives or young children living with you
- How you will protect your property
- How you will protect yourself
- How you will know what is going on during the fire
- What you will do to patrol your property after the fire front has passed through
A well thought out bushfire plan should address all these issues. Make sure everyone in the household knows the plan and what their roles are.
And remember: stick to your plan!
Credit: The Age Online, CFA
P.S. Zap bao fuk?
1 comments:
Do you know any good Aussie news sites I can read online? Coz it's in my homework but it's difficult for me to access news.
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