Bushland burns in Seaview hills

From p1 In the early hours of Sunday morning warnings were issued for residents of Seaview, Ellinbank, Cloverlea, Yarragon South and Allambee to evacuate.

A watch and act warning was in place for much of Sunday but was later downgraded and advised residents to continue monitoring conditions.

The situation improved on Sunday when water bombing aircraft were used to assist with attacks on the ground. Aerial water bombing continued yesterday.

Mr Aucterlonie said water was an issue because of the remoteness of the country.

Access was steep and off road ultra lights were being heavily used. Whilst tankers also could access the area they risked damage from trees and vegetation.

Crews have been operating on the fire front on Saturday night, Sunday, Sunday night and yesterday.

The crews, largely from West and South Gippsland, have received assistance from Hancocks Plantation Victoria and DELWP.

Mr Auchterlonie said the light wind on Saturday night had assisted fire crews but winds on Sunday whipped up the fire.

“We would like the fire to come out of the bush because that makes it a lot easier to fight,” he said.

He expected once the fire was under control black out crews would be retained at the site for some days ahead.

“We are lucky in some ways that this has occurred in March and not February. It is not hot and windy and we have the promise of cooler conditions early this week,” he said.

He said the cause of the fire was unknown but was considered suspicious.

He commended the work of firefighters on Saturday night who put in a 210-metre-long hose line in very difficult terrain.

“It was brilliant work and has set us up well for further containment,” he said.

“It has been an excellent job by all fire crews,” he said.

Mr Ferguson said they estimated the fire had burnt out 230 hectares of bush and had grown significantly on Sunday.

The area is predominantly steep and firefighting efforts have been largely dependent on aerial support.

There are 30 fire trucks, four firefighting aircraft and two bulldozers fighting the fire.

Smoke dominated the skyline on Sunday as three strike teams including 15 to 20 CFA units battled the Seaview fire at ground level and aircraft water bombed the area. The fire front can be seen here from Cropleys Rd, Ellinbank.

Strike team leader Rob Auchterlone of Dumbalk CFA leads crews from the DarnumEllinbank CFA station during Sunday’s fire fighting effort.