Vic: Grass fire near Stawell contained but not controlled

AAP General News (Australia)
12-17-2000
Vic: Grass fire near Stawell contained but not controlled

The Country Fire Authority says a large grass and scrub fire near Stawell, in western
Victoria, is still burning but no longer spreading.

CFA spokesman PETER PHILP says 175 firefighters have finally contained but not controlled
the grass and scrub fire.

Mr PHILIP says it's still burning within perimeters but not spreading.

Three graders are ploughing land around the edges of the fire to form control lines.

He says the 35 fire trucks and their crews which fought the fire are being replaced
by overnight crews who'll begin the mopping up operation.

Earlier local police warned residents of Glenorchy and Campbells Bridge, near Stawell,
to decide either to stay and protect their homes, if they are fit and well-prepared, or
to leave.

The fire began shortly before 3pm (AEDT) and was centred near Dadswell Bridge.

The blaze burnt through 10,000 hectares of grass and scrub, causing some stock losses
and destroying some farm buildings.

Police last night are assessing whether to reopen the Western Highway between Stawell
and Horsham which was closed twice during the fire.

Late tonight, the CFA also reported a large grass fire near Kotupna, near Nathalia,
in northern Victoria but gave no further details.

AAP RTV nl/alt

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES VIC (MELBOURNE)

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