COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER - Platypus Country

Bushfire Situation
COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
Information from the Incident Management Team Section 44 Declared for
Friday 19 th January 2007 1730 Tumbarumba and Snowy River Areas
SNOWY MOUNTAINS FIRE
Overview
The Snowy Mountains Fire is currently being fought on two fronts, an eastern front in NSW and a western front in
Victoria. The eastern front remains approximately 12km southwest of Thredbo. The fire has burnt approximately
2130 hectares in NSW and 2380 hectares in Victoria.
There has been very little active fire on the eastern front today and this has allowed remote area fire fighters to be
dropped directly onto the fire line by helicopter. These fire fighters have been felling burning trees and water
bucketing using helicopters. This has helped to lessen the current threat to Thredbo.
The NSW northern edge, whilst not as active as expected today, is still causing fire fighters concern due to the
steep terrain and smouldering conditions. A containment line has been commenced here although the steep
terrain makes progress difficult. On the western front in Victoria, fire fighters are back burning to remain in front of
the wildfire as it continues to progress.
Efforts today have also gone into asset protection around historic huts and park infrastructure.
In Thredbo, twelve fire fighting units and more than 50 fire fighters from NSW Fire Brigades, supported by NPWS
personnel, are confident they will be able to defend the village given the resources now available and the
preparations completed so far. Similar preparations are underway in the other ski resort areas although the risk to
those locations is considered much less at this stage.
Fire fighting authorities would like to remind everyone that they should be ensuring that their homes are
appropriately prepared in the event of fire at this time of year.
Strategy
Tonight fire fighters will continue asset protection works, securing containment lines and monitoring fire activity as
there is a potential risk of spot overs as weather conditions gradually worsen into tomorrow.
Kosciuszko National Park closures
The area bounded by Snowy Mountains Highway, Alpine Way and the Khancoban-Cabramurra Road is closed to
all off-road activity outside the resort areas of Charlotte Pass, Perisher, Smiggin Holes, Guthega and Kosciuszko
Mountain Retreat. This includes Mt Kosciuszko and the entire Alpine Area.
Thredbo Village is closed to guests and visitors, however remains open to staff, residents and essential services.
All other resorts areas remain open including accommodation facilities. All walking tracks off Kosciuszko Road
below Perisher remain open.
In addition, all areas of Kosciuszko National Park, north of the Snowy Mountains Highway remain open for
visitors. This includes Yarrangobilly Caves, Kiandra heritage trail, Currango Homestead, Cooinbil Hut, Coolamine
Homestead and Blue Waterholes.
Issued by the Incident Management Team on behalf of the Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service
Working towards Communities 1

Bushfire Situation
COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
Information from the Incident Management Team Section 44 Declared for
Friday 19 th January 2007 1730 Tumbarumba and Snowy River Areas
Roads
The Alpine Way is closed between Park Entry Station and Murray 1 Power Station (near Khancoban). Staff,
residents and essential services are able to drive between Thredbo and Park Entry Station.
All other roads remain open at this stage but conditions on Kosciuszko Road, Guthega Road and Barry Way could
change rapidly. For information listen to local radio stations or the RTA Road Report on 132 701.
Bushwalking and Camping
Bushwalking, cycling, camping and other activities are prohibited in all areas bounded by the Snowy Mountains
Highway, Alpine Way and the Khancoban-Cabramurra Road. This includes all areas along the Alpine Way,
Kosciuszko Road, the Kosciuszko, Alpine Area, Guthega/Island Bend area, and the Jagungal Wilderness Area.
However short bushwalks along Kosciuszko Road, from Perisher Village and below are open. This includes the
Porcupine Track, Rainbow Lake, Rennix Walk, Waterfall track, Paillabo Track and Sawpit Nature Track. Access
to these walks will be reassessed this afternoon.
The Pilot Wilderness Area and all picnic/camping areas along the Barry Way to the Victorian border are also
closed until further notice.
Camping is permitted in Kosciuszko Mountain Retreat at Sawpit Creek.
Weather Forecast
The chance of overnight showers or thunderstorms remains with Weather conditions expected to worsen
tomorrow with freshening winds and higher temperatures.
Additional Information
Victorian track closures
For bush track closures in Victoria refer to www.dse.vic.gov.au.
Animal Welfare – Dept. of Primary Industries
If further assistance or information is required contact Luke Pope on 0401 993 956 or Doug Alcock on 0411 139
594.
For More Information
Phone 1800 268 747
or visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au
Listen to Local Radio
The next Newsletter will be issued approx.
9am 20 th January 2007
Authorised by:
Incident Controller
Issued by the Incident Management Team on behalf of the Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service
Working towards Communities 2