Vic: Fire fighters battle to keep blazes from joining

AAP General News (Australia)
02-11-2009
Vic: Fire fighters battle to keep blazes from joining

Firefighters are working furiously to build containment lines as two major blazes burning
close together in Victoria threaten to join.

Just 18 kilometres separate the Bunyip Ridge fire east of Melbourne and the 100 thousand
hectare Yea-Murrindindi blaze.

Hundreds of kilometres of control lines are being built by the Country Fire Authority
to keep the fires apart.

A merged fire could have massive implications for the state's gas and water supplies
.. with the Longford gas plant and Thompson Reservoir in the area.

The Thompson Reservoir is in the Upper Yarra Valley northeast of Melbourne and is a
major catchment for Melbourne's water supply.

Victoria has experienced a period of milder southerly winds over the past few days
but the Bureau of Meteorology says temperatures are expected to start to increase from
tomorrow.

Similar conditions are forecast for Friday .. with temperatures in the mid-20s predicted
for Melbourne and fire affected areas.

The bureau says temperatures will increase into the 30s next week .. on Monday .. Tuesday
and Wednesday .. but the winds will remain light.

AAP RTV md/pmu/crh

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES VIC BUNYIP (MELBOURNE)

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