The Elvis waterbomber douses a grass fire in the Little River area, southwest of Melbourne. Picture: Glenn Daniels
Source: Herald Sun
FIRES have again raged across Australia, destroying more than 33 homes in NSW as Victorians remembered a firefighter killed in Tasmania.
Emergency services were under siege battling blazes across the nation from Warrumbungle National Park in NSW to Tasmania, where 130 homes have been lost since January 4.
And a fast-moving grass fire at Little River in Victoria, which police believe was deliberately lit, threatened hundreds of homes on Melbourne’s outskirts last night. Almost 40 CFA crews and four aircraft, including Elvis the aircrane, battled the blaze.
That fire was contained late last night, with a Watch and Act alert down graded to an advice alert on the CFA website.
The CFA is advising to remain vigilant throughout the night.
Vic fire crews are receiving extra support today after one of their members was found dead while in Tas.
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The NSW fire is one of 146 blazes across the state pushing almost 800 firefighters to their limits.
The 100km front is a worry for firefighters, with temperatures forecast to reach 40C later this week.
The Warrumbungle blaze has burnt through 40,000ha since it ignited on Sunday, with more than 110 people having to evacuate their homes yesterday.
Rural Fire Service deputy commissioner Rob Rogers said the wind shifted at the worst possible time, creating “perfect storm” conditions for a fire that burnt “with such a ferocity we haven’t seen in years”.
Volunteer firefighter Peter Cramer on the day he was presented a CFA 20 years service medal. Picture: DSE
The news comes as devastated family and friends of a Victorian firefighter who lost his life battling bushfires in Tasmania described their father as a man with a passion for protecting others.
Mr Cramer’s son Jason said the family were grief-stricken at the loss, especially his sister Linda, who is expecting, saying it is a great loss that their father won’t meet his grandchild.
“We are absolutely devastated, a bit shocked. My sister is devastated – she was Dad’s little girl.”
Tributes have flowed for Gippsland-based firefighter Peter Ronald Cramer, 61, a 30-year volunteer who died on Sunday near Taranna, on the Tasman Peninsula, where he was backburning.
A wall of fire has put residents in the Little River area on watch. Picture: Glenn Daniels
The veteran volunteer from the town of Tyers, about 160km east of Melbourne, had been on foot identifying containment lines before he was found deceased on a track at 5pm.
STAY SAFE
The Herald Sun has joined with fire authorities to keep Victorians informed. Check out the Bushfire Ready page for the latest advice, warnings and videos from the CFA. This page is updated with the latest warnings from across the state. Save it to your bookmarks. You can access it from our homepage (click on Bushfire Ready) from any computer. This service is not available on smart phones.
Check live weather information – including fire warnings – on your computer AND smart phone at our Weather page. Just add m.heraldsun.com.au to your smart phone bookmarks and follow the View weather forecast link.
The CFA has a live fire map. Check it out here and add to your bookmarks.
The Herald Sun will keep you informed throughout the heatwave. Check back regularly for weather information, reader photos and fire warnings on your PC and mobile. Reports and alerts will also be posted to our Facebook page and from our official Twitter account.
For general bushfire information
- Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) on freecall 1800 240 667 or www.cfa.vic.gov.au
Stay informed
- ABC Local Radio, commercial and designated community radio stations or watching Sky News TV
- Deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment can contact VBIL via the National Relay Service on 1800 555 677
- Road closures: Check www.vicroads.vic.gov.au
- Tourists: Stay away from listed areas
- For life or property threatening threatening emergencies: Phone 000
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