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MONDAY, 6.20pm:
This Emergency Warning is being issued for Genoa, Gipsy Point, Karbethong, Lake View, Mallacoota, Maramingo Creek, Wallagaraugh, Wangarabell, Wingan River, Wroxham.
This Emergency Warning replaces the Emergency Warning issued at 4.40pm today 30/2/19.
This message is for people at Mallacoota and surrounding communities.
There is a bushfire at Wingan River that is out of control.
The bushfire is travelling from Wingan River towards Mallacoota.
A south westerly wind change is expected to reach Mallacoota by 4am, with winds gusting 40-60km following the change.
A relief centre is established at The Mallacoota Main Community Hall, Allan Drive.
Karbeethong Boat Ramp, Karbeethong- (Assembly Area)
The Genoa Mallacoota Rd is now closed. The Princes Hwy is also closed from Bairnsdale through to Genoa.
There is potential for lightning associated with fire smoke
You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive.
The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately. It is too late to leave.
Leaving now would be deadly.
The Genoa-Mallacoota Road is now closed.
MONDAY, 4.45pm:
This Emergency Warning is being issued for Genoa, Gipsy Point, Karbethong, Mallacoota, Maramingo Creek, Wangarabell, Wingan River.
This Emergency Warning replaces the Watch and Act Message issued at 2pm today 30/2/19.
This message is for people at Mallacoota and surrounding communities.
There is a bushfire at Wingan River that is out of control.
The bushfire is travelling from Wingan River towards Mallacoota.
Assembly areas are established at the following spaces if you have no safer options.
The Mallacoota Main Community Hall, Allan Drive.
Karbeethong Boat Ramp, Karbeethong
This bushfire could impact Mallacoota any time between 5pm and 6pm
There is potential for lightning associated with fire smoke
You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive.
The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately. It is too late to leave.
Leaving now would be deadly.
The Genoa-Mallacoota Road is now closed.
Assembly areas are established at the following spaces if you have no safer options.
The Mallacoota Main Community Hall, Allan Drive
Karbeethong Boat Ramp, Karbeethong
What you should do
You should move indoors:
Protect yourself by wearing long sleeves and trousers, made from pure cotton or wool. Wear leather boots.
Bring your pets inside.
Close all exterior doors, windows and vents and turn off cooling systems.
You must take shelter before the fire arrives. The extreme heat is likely to kill you well before the flames reach you.
Shelter in a room that has two exits, such as a door or window including one directly to the outside. It is important to be able to see outside so you know what is happening with the fire.
If your home catches on fire and the conditions inside become unbearable, you need to get out and go to an area that has already been burnt. It may still be too hot to remain outside, so you'll need to seek shelter in another structure or last resort option.
The following roads are closed: Genoa-Mallacoota Road.
The Princes Hwy is now closed between Lakes Entrance and Genoa
The Princes Hwy North of Genoa to Eden is also closed.
MONDAY, 11.30am:
This Emergency Warning is for Furnell, Tamboon, Tamboon South, Wingan River and replaces the Emergency warning issued at 10am, January 30.
There is a bushfire at Wingan River that is out of control.
The fire is approximately 20km east of Cann River.
There are Easterly winds putting pressure on the Western side of the fire, increased smoke may be experienced in and around Tamboon and Bemm River communities.
The fire has increased rapidly in size.
All roads into the warning area are closed including the West Wingan Road.
Campers, have been evacuated from Wingan Inlet and Tamboon area campgrounds and other campgrounds within Croajingolong National Park.
Hikers have been evacuated from the Croajingolong National Park Wilderness Coast Walk
It is too late to leave. Shelter in place.
Stay aware of the current situation.
Emergency Services will not be able to help you.
If you choose to leave there are relief centre's open at Bairnsdale Football Pavilion 40 Macarthur Street, Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance Mechanic Hall- Community Church 125 Palmers Rd, Lakes Entrance.
- Scroll down for additional safety advice and contacts
EARLIER:
An out of control bushfire that began at Wingan River on Sunday has Far East Gippsland on high alert.
The bushfire has already burnt out 27,000ha, with the communities of Furnell, Tamboon and Wingan River told it is too late to leave and to shelter in place.
The fire has increased rapidly in size and has already reached the coast east of Point Hicks, with Victorian fire authoirities saying it is now likely to travel along the coast in a westerly direction under the influence of a sez breeze.
However there is also potential for it to move east towards Mallacoota, with those communities on a Watch and Act alert.
All roads into the Emergency warning area are closed including the West Wingan Road. The Princes Hwy between Genoa and Cann River was closed for a time Sunday afternoon but has since reopened.
Campers have been evacuated from Wingan Inlet camp ground and other camp grounds within Croajingolong National Park.
Hikers have been evacuated from the Croajingolong National Park Wilderness Coast Walk.
In nearby Mallacoota, residents and tourists have been told to stay in place as "the safest place to be".
A Watch and Act alert is current for Genoa, Gipsy Point, Karbethong, Mallacoota, Maramingo Creek, Wangarabell.
For these areas, you are urged to monitor changes to the situation. Increased wind speed, change in wind direction, smoke or poor visibility can indicate the situation is changing.
If you are away from home, do not return.
For anyone remaining in the Emergency warning areas, it is too late to leave, shelter in place. Stay aware of the current situation as emergency services will not be able to help you.
Last resort options include:
Shelter in the middle of a large open area like a ploughed paddock, football oval or sporting reserve.
Get into a large body of water like a dam, lake, river, the ocean or inground pool.
Try to protect yourself from the fire's heat.
What you should do:
In the car:
If you are travelling, do not enter the area. U-turn to safety.
Slow down and turn on your headlights. Smoke will make it difficult to see.
If you are unable to leave you should shelter indoors:
Close all exterior doors, windows and vents. Turn off cooling systems.
You must take shelter before the fire arrives. The extreme heat is likely to kill you well before the flames reach you.
Shelter in a room that has two exits, such as a door or window including one directly to the outside. It is important to be able to see outside so you know what is happening with the fire.
If your home catches on fire and the conditions inside become unbearable, you need to get out and go to an area that has already been burnt.
If you cannot get indoors, other last resort options include:
Shelter in the middle of a large open area like a ploughed paddock, football oval or sporting reserve.
Get into a large body of water like a dam, lake, river, the ocean or inground pool.
Try to protect yourself from the fire's heat.
If you are caught in fire in your car:
Park behind a solid structure to block the fire's heat or pull over to cleared area.
Try to position the car towards the approaching fire.
Turn on your hazard lights and headlights.
Close all windows.
Turn off the air-conditioning and shut all the air vents.
Turn your car engine off.
Get down as low as possible below window level and cover up with a pure woollen blanket.
Impacts in your area:
Embers are being carried by the wind large distances ahead of the main fire and starting spot fires.
Bushfires can generate extreme heat. Heat will kill you before the fire reaches you.
The Princes Highway has been re-opened.
Check the VicTraffic website (traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au/) or call 13 11 70 for road closures.
Health information:
If you need medical advice for burns or exposure to smoke, seek medical advice or call Nurse on Call on 1300 606 024.
Anyone experiencing wheezing, chest tightness and difficulty breathing should call Triple Zero (000).
If you can see or smell smoke, please note:
Smoke can affect people's health.
People with pre-existing health problems, heart or lung conditions (including asthma), children, pregnant women and older people are more sensitive to the effects of breathing in smoke.
People with existing heart or lung conditions (including asthma) should follow the treatment plan advised by the doctor.
Use multiple sources to stay informed:
VicEmergency Hotline - freecall 1800 226 226.
VicEmergency app.
Facebook or Twitter (#vicfires).
Tune in to ABC Local Radio, commercial and designated community radio stations, or Sky News TV.
Accessibility:
The following services can help you, or someone you know, access information during an emergency.
To access this information in other languages call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 (freecall) and ask them to call VicEmergency Hotline.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment contact National Relay Service on 1800 555 677 and ask them to call the VicEmergency Hotline.