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Last Updated: Nov 2nd, 2009 - 17:32:57 |
ABC News - Four large bushfires continue to burn to the north and east of Melbourne and there are fears that they could flare up and jump containment lines later today.
More than 1,100 firefighters from interstate and overseas have joined local crews to strengthen the fire-fighting effort.
Department of Sustainability and Environment spokesman Kevin Monk says conditions will be hazardous.
"Anything that starts will burn quickly and has the chance to cause more damage to life and property," he said.
Fire locations
Four major blazes will be the focus of today's efforts.
Firefighters are trying to strengthen their control over the bushfire near Daylesford, north-west of Melbourne, before the fire danger increases.
The 2,800-hectare blaze and several spotfires have been contained.
Volunteer firefighters will man stations in the Otway Ranges, in south-west Victoria, and extra fire crews from Bega arrived at Tidal River yesterday to help fight the huge fire burning on Wilsons Promontory.
Crews are focusing on protecting Yanakie, Tidal River, and the Promontory Road.
The fire north-east of Won Wron was contained overnight, but concerns remain that it could flare up in the Mullundung Forest.
Extra crews are due to arrive there from East Gippsland and the CFA has warned residents between Yarram and Stradbroke, to be on high alert tomorrow.
Further west, the communities of Neerim, Neerim South, Nayook, and Jindivick, are also being warned to brace themselves for potential flare up in the Bunyip Ridge fire.
Hundreds of schools and child care centres will be closed today because of the bushfire threat.
About 200 government and independent schools and more than 140 kindergartens and child care centres have already decided to remain shut.
Those facilities are listed on the Department of Education's website.
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