'The Twins' Fire Area

The Mt Hotham Alpine Resort is under NO immediate fire threat and the Great Alpine Road road is OPEN between Omeo and Harrietville

Update:

The two fires closest to the resort are essentially ‘dormant’ as result of the 7.8mm of rain last night.   Resort officers with the CFA visually inspected the two closest fires which are at the back of the ‘The Twins’, 9 kms SW of the resort  and in the  ‘Blair Hut’ area which is located approximately three kilometres north of the Red Robin mine. Both fires still have burning logs and roots – but the ash appears mostly cool – however, hotspots may re-strike should weather conditions change.

This afternoon CFA helicopter reconnaissance identified two further hotspots of concern, one approximately 9kms SW from the resort south of Mt Freezeout just east of the Dargo Road – the MtHotham / Dinner Plain CFA is in attendance.  The second is in the area of King Spur track, approximately 12 kms SSW of the resort – a DSE unit is in attendance. 

The fog and smoke haze has lifted with visibility of around 15 kms both to the north and the south.   There was also some reported spotting further towards Falls Creek and beyond Mt Jim.

Tomorrow, arrangements have been put in place for the existing fire containment lines within the resort (that were installed in 2003 or before) to be inspected and re-established where necessary so as to ensure the resort is best prepared for the expected heat and fire risk escalation toward the middle of next week.   Tom Pelly will oversee the contractors undertaking this work to ensure minimal environmental impact.

The fire threat is considered ‘medium’ at this stage, so CFA have removed their Task Force from the area this afternoon to provide badly needed crew relief.  The local CFA / Dinner Plain CFA crews are still in attendance on mountain.

The resort office will be closed over the weekend with selected staff on call to return within 2 hours should the situation change.  The Hotham fire tower is manned over this weekend and resort management have direct communication protocols in place should the fire spotter detect any changes in the threat level to the resort. 

It is anticipated the threat level will escalate as the weather hots up toward the middle of next week.

The Resort Management Board would again like to thank the CFA’s Brett Boatman, all the CFA & DSE teams working in the Hotham area, as well as ‘The Alberg’ for the provision of CFA accommodation and ‘The General’ for crew catering.

Up to date information about road closures in the area can be obtained from the MECC (Municipal Emergency Control Centre) in Bright on (03) 5755 0597. 

Up-to-date radio information can be obtained from ABC Goulburn Murray on 106.5 FM, 89.7 FM, 91.7 FM, 97.7FM.

Further information can also be obtained from the Victorian Bushfire Line on 1800 240 667

Resort Management Office:  (03) 57 593 550