Schools, parks closed as fire threatens area

Jessica Benton
THE REGION is bracing for extreme weather conditions today, according to fire authorities.
The high fire danger comes as the region nears the end of its second driest January and February since 1891.
CFA Region 7 operations manager Bob Barry said yesterday the “entire” region was at risk of bushfires amid predictions of stifling temperatures and strong wind.
“There’s enormous alarm bells ringing for our region,” he said.
“There’s not one part of our region that’s not vulnerable once we get into the high temperatures and have strong winds.
“We’ve never been in this situation before where it’s so dry. Our region is still one of the driest areas in Victoria – some local areas haven’t recorded any rain for 2009 yet.
“The previous hot weather has seen the region really cook and it’s now under enormous stress.”
Mr Barry said CFA strike teams and volunteers were on stand-by across the region.
“We’re taking normal precautions but we’re also trying to warn the community and public about the dangers of being in the Otways area on these types of days,” he said.
“We’re really encouraging people to stay out of parks and tourist areas.”
Mr Barry said the region could be left vulnerable if local CFA members had to support firefighting in other Victorian areas such as Daylesford.
He called on the community to act responsibly and avoid high-risk areas such as the Otways and other bushland.
Parks Victoria has closed visitor sites in the Otways as well as national parks across the state.
Victoria’s Education Department expected to close schools in high-risk areas but was still finalising a list when the Independent went to press yesterday afternoon.
Geelong Weather Services’ Lindsay Smail predicted today’s temperatures to reach 38C before a cool change later in the afternoon.
“Strong northerly winds are expected and possible gusty south-westerly winds after the change,” he said.
“I don’t think its going to be as bad as Black Saturday when there was absolute extreme heat. The temperature will be about 10C below Black Saturday’s.”
Mr Smail said the region was set to complete its second driest first two months of the year since 1891.
“As far as the whole season is concerned, this summer is nowhere near our driest because we had about 80mm of rain in December,” he said.
Geelong received 1mm of rain in January and “a couple” so far for February.
Mr Smail said only 1mm was recorded for January and February in 1891.