Rain on way but fire alert remains

HOMES and lives were again under threat yesterday as an emergency warning in Victoria’s far east was issued, despite cooler conditions dampening the statewide threat.

The Cann Road bridge fire flared up on Monday afternoon with an emergency warning issued for Noorinbee and Noorinbee North, near the NSW border.

“This fire is threatening homes and lives,” the alert stated. “You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive.” It comes as the fire threat across the east was slightly downgraded, with all alerts across the state sitting at a watch and act level or lower at noon yesterday.

Milder weather is forecast across the week with rain developing in the state’s east tomorrow and extending at least until Saturday.

Despite the respite, temperatures will hover about 30C and winds are still gusting, meaning the danger lingers and fires show no sign of relenting.

“These fires aren’t out and they’re not going to be out until they burn themselves out or we finish with a really big rain event,” Premier Daniel Andrews told KIIS FM yesterday. “The weather bureau’s not telling us that’s likely.”

There are 19 active fires across Victoria, more than 1.3 million hectares have been burnt and 1500 firefighters remain on the job.

Four men have died as a result of the fires and hundreds of properties and structures have been lost.

A 46-year-old man from Alexandra was charged yesterday with dangerous driving causing the death of the state’s third bushfire victim, on-duty Forest Fires Management worker Mat Kavanagh, 43.

The accused man was taken to hospital after the collision on the Goulburn Valley Highway at Thornton on January 3, which also injured a 47-yearold ute driver.

THESE FIRES AREN’T OUT AND THEY’RE NOT GOING TO BE OUT UNTIL THEY BURN THEMSELVES OUT

PREMIER DANIEL ANDREWS

The Alexandra man has now been remanded to appear in court on April 28.

Rain was yesterday set to ease bushfire conditions and provide much-needed relief for NSW fire crews who are focused on strengthening containment lines.

NSW Rural Fire Service spokesman Anthony Bradstreet said fire conditions are expected to ease throughout the week with rain on the horizon. “We would love rain everywhere,” he said yesterday. “Hopefully we will receive some good rainfall in fire-affected areas.”

Showers are forecast for most of NSW on Thursday.