Vic: Communities on tenterhooks as bushfires intensify

AAP General News (Australia)
12-14-2006
Vic: Communities on tenterhooks as bushfires intensify

Communities in the fire-ravaged regions of Gippsland and north-east Victoria are on
tenterhooks .. as the state sizzles ahead of a volatile wind change.

The temperature in fire-affected areas is already nudging 30 degrees .. with strong
north-westerly winds fanning the flames.

So far more than 420 thousand hectares have been burnt out .. as 11 bushfires continue
to rage out of control.

Department of Sustainability and Environment spokesman KEVIN MONK says the fire danger
will peak later this afternoon.

He says a cool change .. expected to hit between 5pm and 8pm (AEDT) .. will make conditions
worse .. bringing a south-west wind change gusting at up to 50 kilometres an hour.

AAP RTV cmb/gfr/wf/jmt

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES VIC (MELBOURNE)

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