Out-of-date info given to bushfire areas

The Victorian government says it'll investigate how outdated information found its way onto the Victorian Bushfire Information Line last night.

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For 11 hours overnight, as fires burned in the state's north-east, the recorded information line gave details of a fire in Gippsland two weeks ago.

Acting Premier Rob Hulls says the Department of Premier and Cabinet will be asked to investigate the matter.

"The message has to be very clear that information in relation to bushfires... has to be consistent, it has to be concise, it has to be clear, and it has to be accurate and up to date," Mr Hulls told reporters.

"My understanding is that last night on the Victorian Bushfire Information Line information was out of date and that is not good enough.”

"The Victorian public needs to be assured that they are getting accurate and up-to-date information."

He said he wants to know if the glitch on the Victorian Bushfire Information Line was caused by human error or by a computer malfunction.

Victoria fire contained

The large bushfire that started in a lake bed in Victoria this week has been contained, but firefighters are worried about extreme weather forecast later in the week.

The 580,000ha blaze that at Lake Mokoan, near Benalla in the state's northeast, was contained last night.

"We will sit on it the next couple of days and are sending in dozers and graders as well as a (reconnaisance) flight this morning to make sure we have got all the country covered," Country Fire Authority regional duty officer Paul Horton said.

"With the pending temperatures in the high 30s and above 40 from Thursday we don't want it to get away from us.”

"There is a lot of dense growth in there where it has dried up, with stumps and dead trees, some of it is two metres high and it's difficult to see."

The fire is close to the towns of Winton North and the Hume Freeway but no property is as yet under threat, and the freeway remains open despite smoke in the area.

Arson charge

A 17-year-old boy has been charged with lighting a fire which threatened homes and property in Perth's eastern suburbs.

West Australian police allege the teenager was seen acting suspiciously in the area the fire broke out at about 4.15pm yesterday.

He has been charged with lighting a fire likely to cause damage and injury and is due to appear in the Midland Magistrates Court on January 13.

The fire moved quickly through Whiteman Park, reaching the back fences of some properties, however, no homes were damaged.

The blaze forced road closures and traffic chaos in the suburbs of Caversham, Whiteman and Beechboro.

WA bushfire contained

Another large bushfire burning near Lancelin, about 120km north of Perth, has been contained.

The fire started in the Moore River National Park yesterday afternoon.

Driven by east-southeast winds, the blaze threatened homes in Lancelin and Ledge Point, and Ocean Farm and Seaview Park estates.

The fire ripped through about 5,700 hectares of bush and farmland.

Water bombers and a helicopter helped strengthen containment lines early this morning as about 75 firefighters battled the blaze.

The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) on Tuesday said the fire was contained but not under control and crews would remain in the area to prevent any flare-ups.

Residents should remain alert

Residents have been warned to stay alert, with temperatures around 40 degrees forecast for the area accompanied by easterly winds gusting to 48km/h.

A relocation centre has been set up by the Shire of Gingin at the Guilderton Sports Centre and Community Hall.

Drivers have been asked to avoid Mimegarra Road, Orange Springs Road, Sappers Road, Nilgen Road and Cowalla Road.

The public have been advised to call 1300 657 209, visit the WA Fire and Emergency Services Authority or Department of Environment and Conservation websites or listen to local radio news bulletins.

Queensland fire bans lifted

The last remaining fire bans in Queensland have been lifted as Victorian firefighters contain a large fire that broke out in a lake bed.

Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS) lifted the last remaining fire ban in the state, for the Whitsundays, at midnight.

Fire bans for Stradbroke, Karragarra, Russell, Lamb, Macleay and Coochiemudlo islands in the Redland City Council local government area, South Stradbroke Island in the Gold Coast City Council area and Moreton Island in the Brisbane City Council local government area were cancelled on December 30.

The QFRS reminds residents to remain vigilant while using fire and says anyone wishing to light a fire larger than two metres must obtain a permit.




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Source: AAP


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