Bushfire : headwaters of Wonnangatta river : AAWT

[sambar358]

From the Victorian CFA site in regards to a developing bushfire in some pretty popular walking country in the Alps at this time of the year :

"Location: northern Wonnangatta Valley
Incident Name: TERRIBLE HOLLOW - MT BUGGERY
Issued: 21/12/13 11:12 AM

This updated Advice message is being issued by Department of Environment and Primary Industries for Wonnangatta.

There is a small bushfire in the northern Wonnangatta Valley. This fire has started as a result of lightning activity on Thursday evening. The fire is close to the Australian Alps Walking Track and the Macalister Springs Hut. The fire is currently active in the Crosscut Saw Section of the track and visitors are advised to avoid the area. The Australian Alpine Walking Track is closed from King Billy Saddle through to Barry Saddle (where Barry Saddle adjoins the Wonnangatta Road). Closures to the Alpine Walking Track include: Howitt Spur Walking Track, Queen Spur Walking Track, King Spur Walking Track and Macalister Springs Walking Track. (This general area of closures to the Australian Alpine Walking Track is also known as the Howitt Crosscut Speculation Area).

There is no threat to communities. Smoke will be visible in the area. Aircraft will be operating in the vicinity of Mt Buller and Snowy Range today and tomorrow.

The next update is expected by 22/12/13 6:00 PM or as the situation changes."

Sounds like a good place to stay away from for a while. Stay safe. Cheers

S358

[north-north-west]

Wonder how it started.

[MickyB]

Wonder how it started.

This fire has started as a result of lightning activity on Thursday evening.

[madmacca]

Tough country to fight a fire in. Water bombers only. No way are you getting a vehicle any closer than Mt Spec or Maccy Springs. Can totally believe CCS being the target for lightening strikes.

On the plus side, the track to Catherine Saddle might get cleared for fire vehicle use (Discussion here http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=15377

[jimmyharris]

Advice - All Clear

Location: Northern Wonnangatta Valley
Incident Name: TERRIBLE HOLLOW - MT BUGGERY
Issued: 23/12/13 6:39 PM

http://osom.cfa.vic.gov.au/public/osom/ ... 39731.html

[bernieq]

Update : although the fire did cross the AAWT, it appears to have been quite low intensity with many unburned patches on both sides of the track. Lots of grass re-shooting and plants (eg Stylidium graminifolium) already flowering in the burned areas.

Track work has already been done to tidy up the few burned overhanging branches.

heading to Mt Buggary, looking into the Wonnangatta - Jan 2014