Community briefed

It was standing room only when hundreds of people attended a community meeting at the Darnum Hall yesterday afternoon to be briefed on the Seaview fire.

The fire has burned approximately 232 hectares and community members were told there was the potential for the fire to impact private property.

About 20 residents indicated they had relocated. Residents were told to do what was best for their families, stock and livelihoods.

Community members at the meeting praised the work of CFA volunteers.

CFA incident controller Craig Ferguson said the cooler temperatures yesterday allowed crews to consolidate the fire edge to ensure there was no re-ignition. There also was extensive work on unburnt fuel.

Back burning operations of about seven hectares were undertaken late yesterday, producing a lot of smoke in the area.

Mr Ferguson said they hoped to have the fire controlled by tomorrow night, which they were confident about achieving.

Mr Ferguson said they were concerned about northerly winds and higher temperatures predicted for the weekend.

Closed roads include Hazeldean Rd between Gainsborough-Darnum Rd and DarnumAllambee Rd; and, McDonald’s Trk between Grand Ridge Rd and Darnum-Allambee Rd.

Emergency services reinforced community members should not visit the area and local residents needed to drive with extreme care and caution.

Mr Ferguson said there were three or four scary moments yesterday morning when people drove into the fire ground.

Two roadside management points have been established to stop people going to look at the fire.

About 140 hectares of the burnt land owned by HVP Plantations.

Another community meeting has been scheduled for 3pm on Thursday at the Darnum Hall. is