Daily Archives: 18/12/2014

Emergency warnings for Vic bushfires

Strong winds and challenging weather conditions have sparked bushfire emergency warnings in Victoria.

The Country Fire Authority currently has emergency warnings in place for Boweya, Mount Bruno, Boweya North, Strathbogie South, Strathbogie, Kithbrook, Kelvin View, Gooram, Creightons Creek, Goorambat, Chesney, Devenish, Chesney Vale, Winton North, Bungeet and Bungeet West in Victoria.Watch and act alerts are also current for West Wodonga, Wodonga, Killawarra, Wangandary, Waldara, Wangaratta South.

Fire fighters have made good progress in their battle against a large grass fire heading towards the Victorian town of West Wodonga.The community has been on high alert all day due to hot, dry and windy conditions. Firefighters have used large water bombing aircraft and heavy machinery to build a fire retardant to protect homes just six kilometres from the blaze.

With temperatures and winds easing in the area by Tuesday evening the CFA says it is comfortable that houses will not be affected by the blaze overnight.Residents in Strathbogie South, Strathbogie, Kithbrook, Kelvin View, Gooram and Creightons Creek have been told they are in immediate danger and to move to a relief centre in Euroa if it was safe to do so.

Unpredictable weather conditions on Tuesday evening will cause the fire behaviour to become erratic and fire fighters are continuing their efforts in difficult terrain, the CFA said.Chesney Vale, Winton North, Goorambat, Chesney and Devenish residents have been told that leaving was their safest option before conditions became dangerous due to large fast moving out-of-control grass fires.A relief centre has been set up in Benalla.

Rural crime theft – New England

Police are appealing for information after four head of cattle were stolen from a property in the state’s New England region.

The owner of the cattle was mustering stock on Monday 20 October, 2014 when he noticed the four animals were missing from a mob of 59.

The missing stock has been described as two black Baldie Heifers and two Hereford Heifers. All have distinctive markings, marked with the letters JC and a wave symbol underneath and both ears of the cattle have a notch taken out of the bottom.

New England Rural Crime Investigator, Senior Constable Gavin Berry, said police take rural crime theft very seriously.

“Rural crime costs millions of dollars every year. Theft of livestock, produce and equipment, trespassing and other crimes affect people’s livelihood and well-being.

“NSW Police Force needs the community’s help to identify people involved in rural crime. With a state-wide network of experienced and dedicated Rural Crime Investigators, we can work with rural communities to prevent and solve these crimes,” he said.

“If you have any information about the whereabouts of the four head of missing cattle please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000,” Insp Berry said.

Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online