Region Bushfire Update

Updated 10.00pm Tuesday 31 December.

Several bushfires are currently burning across the entire region and many key roads have been closed. This is an informative update with websites you should refer to. Note that conditions will change and you should monitor these websites and Facebook pages listed.

Everyone should use the Live Traffic App or https://www.livetraffic.com/desktop.html for road closures as changes will be updated as they come to hand.

Do not rely on old social media posts.

For all bushfire updates visit

https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fires-near-me

https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/major-fire-updates

https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/predicted-fire-spread-for-new-years-eve

https://www.emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/

download the Fires Near Me App

NSW Rural Fire Service

Please follow their NSW Rural Fire Services Facebook page for updates.

There are a number of serious fires on the South Coast.

The Snowy Mountains Highway has reopened at 8pm from Bega up to the junction of the Monaro Highway. There is reduced visibility on this road due to smoke.

Everyone should assess their own situation and act accordingly on what the expert fire websites are stating.

Everyone should be diligent and look at many of these websites for up to date information.

The South Coast between Nowra and Mourya will also lose communications from this evening if you are trying to contact anyone.

Kosciuszko National Park - Closed

Kosciuszko National Park is currently closed and NPWS noted on their website the park will be closed until Friday 3rd January.

Applies from Tue 31 Dec 2019, 10.53am to Fri 03 Jan 2020, 10.50am.

All visitors in the park must evacuate now. Do not enter the park. Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the local NPWS office or visit the Rural Fire Service website. This includes Kosciuszko National Park, Thredbo-Perisher area, Yarrangobilly area, High Plains area, Khancoban area, Lower Snowy River area, Selwyn area and Tumut area.

Thredbo will post further updates to the Thredbo Facebook page as more information comes to hand.
New Thredbo guests are NOT being allowed past the national park gate at Crackenback. All other services in Thredbo are still operating. At this stage the National Parks senior management are keeping Thredbo directly informed and there remains no immediate fire threat to Thredbo.

NPWS - 6.18pm December 31

For Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Guthega Village and Kosciuszko Road all people are strongly advised to evacuate these areas now, during daylight hours.
The advice to leave is due to the risk of unpredictable fire behaviour and dry lightning strikes from firestorm activity.

If anyone makes the decision to remain they must monitor the situation throughout the night, there are no resources available to monitor fire activity in all areas.

If fire impacts on your area an evacuation point is located at Perisher Skitube terminal or Perisher Carpark. It is recommended to go to Jindabyne in daylight hours, an evacuation centre is located in Cooma at the showground, Multi-Function Centre.

For Thredbo Village, visitors with overnight accommodation can remain. Thredbo Fire and Rescue are keeping watch throughout the evening in the event of a siren all people are to proceed to the AIS complex in Thredbo.

There are currently bushfires impacting Kosciuszko National Park in multiple locations. All campsite areas, walking / mountain bike tracks and other backcountry areas are closed and people have been asked to evacuate.

To the west of Kosciuszko National Park in Victoria there are numerous fires around the Corryong area which are affecting the western side of the park and the latest release from Vic Emergency states.

The town of Cabramurra, which has been evacuated, is under some threat.

Roads in Kosciuszko

The Alpine Way is closed from Crackenback to Khancoban. Kosciuszko Road is closed from Thredbo River to Perisher and Charlotte Pass.

The Elliot Way from Cabramurra to Tooma Road is closed.

The Snowy Mountains Highway is closed from Adaminaby to near Tumut.

Refer to these websites
https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/alerts/alerts-list

https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/kosciuszko-national-park/local-alerts

Snowy Monaro

Currently there is a lot of smoke around Jindabyne. Cooma has significant smoke as does the Monaro highway north to Bredbo.

The local Fire and Rescue NSW Station 338 Jindabyne released an update this morning as well as the Monaro Team Rural Fire Service.

At this stage Jindabyne is not under threat and Monaro Team said Advice we can provide is that the fires in Victoria are currently not threatening to cross into NSW.

You can follow both via Facebook.

Jindabyne team said at 9.30pm
We all understand that today was challenging on many fronts.
Our crew were stood up and tasked for standbys at Jindabyne and Cooma while responding to jobs as required.
Jindabyne is not currently under threat and the southerly change has arrived this afternoon, bringing with it a large amount of smoke from Victoria.
Today was a really tough day across the South East of Australia and many people have suffered. Spare a moment for those who have lost family, homes, farms, businesses and friends today. We have no words.
This fire emergency is not yet over but emergency crews won't stop until it's done.

Thank you to all of the helpful residents who have been assisting others in the community and providing any assistance they can.
Stay safe and rest up Jindabyne.

Snowy Monaro Regional Council have advised Evacuation centres open in Cooma, Bombala and Jindabyne.

Cooma - The Cooma Multi-Function Centre, located at the Cooma Showground, is now open as a declared evacuation centre. If you are seeking refuge from the bush fire threat, you are welcome to come to the Cooma Multi-Function Centre. People will need to register when arriving. A meal can be provided if required.

Bombala - Residents seeking shelter from fires throughout the south east region are able to do so at the Bombala Community Centre, which is now open to the public located at 163 Maybe Street, Bombala. There is limited capacity at the Bombala Community Centre for small, domestic animals. Animals must remain outdoors and be self-cared for.

Jindabyne - An evacuation centre will open later this afternoon (Dec 31) in Jindabyne at the Jindabyne Memorial Hall.

Delegate - The Delegate Country Club is also operating as an evacuation centre.

For further information, please regularly check Council's Facebook page.

Snowy Valleys Region

The Elliot Way from Cabramurra to Tooma Road is closed.

The Snowy Mountains Highway is closed from Adaminaby to near Tumut Plains Road.

Campers on Blowering Dam and surrounding are have been asked to leave and head toward Tumut and Gundagai.

9.00pm Dec 31 Dunns Road Fire – Update

The Dunns Road Fire burning in the SVC LGA has significantly affected the areas of Ellerslie, Yaven Creek, Green Hills, Bago State Forest, Tumbarumba, Batlow and is threatening Talbingo this evening. Over 54,000 hectares has been burnt.

RFS advise a Warning Level: Watch & Act. Monitor the changing the conditions.Follow your bush fire survival plan, and know what you will do if the fire threatens. Follow the advice from firefighters in the area.

The Dunns Road fire has impacted communication and power services in the areas of Tumbarumba, Jingellic, Tooma and surrounding areas. Mount Ikes and Mount Tumbarumba have been impacted by fire and this has resulted in no mobile communications in the area. Disruption to services is expected to continue for several days.

The Department of Family and Community Services has activated a number of evacuation centres and staff are working hard to support affected communities. Residents are advised that Evacuation Centres have been established at the following locations:
• Tumbarumba RSL Club, 34/40 Winton St, Tumbarumba.
• Adelong Services, Citizens & Bowling Club, 54 Tumut Street, Adelong.
• Holbrook Library, Library Court, Holbrook.
These centres will provide residents access to services including welfare for evacuees and direction to assist with small animals.

For updates about the bushfires in NSW, including details about evacuation centres go to www.emergency.nsw.gov.au or telephone the information line on 1800 679 737.

Those residents seeking to take shelter only can do so at:
• Batlow RSL, 6 Mayday Rd, Batlow.
• Club Tumut, 24-30 Richmond Street Tumut.
• Talbingo Country Club, Bridle Street, Talbingo
Note these Centres do not provide access to welfare or animal services.

Local Land Services and NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) are on the ground providing assistance to landholders who have been impacted by the fire at the following location:
• Tumut Showground is now open as a self-care shelter place for domestic and large animals. Plenty of room including for horses, cattle, sheep and poultry. Local Land Services staff are on site to provide assistance and advice.
• Holbrook Showground is now open as a self-care shelter place for domestic and large animals. Plenty of room including for horses, cattle, sheep and poultry. Local Land Services staff are on site to provide assistance and advice.

If you, or your community have been affected by the fires and have concerns about your livestock, pets, companion animals or wildlife, call the Agriculture and Animal Services Hotline on 1800 814 647 for assistance. https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/emergency/bushfires

In case of emergency or threat to life and property contact 000.

Sounds of the Mountains will continue to provide updates throughout the night.

The Visit Snowy Valleys Facebook page has been advising information.