Vic: Emergency warnings out for Cann River

AAP General News (Australia)
12-17-2009
Vic: Emergency warnings out for Cann River

MELBOURNE, Dec 17 AAP - An emergency warning has been issued to communities in Victoria's
far southeast as a fast moving bushfire approaches.

Cann River and Tonghi Creek have been placed on alert as the blaze moves northeast
towards the townships.

Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) state control centre spokesman Stuart
Ord said the fire was about 7km from Cann River and spotting 2km ahead of the fire front.

"It's a substantial fire which has us concerned," he said.

"It's about 1,600 hectares and growing and it's out of control still.

"The biggest problem is it's moving towards Cann River."

Police have closed the Princes Highway between Cann River and Orbost.

About 200 firefighters are on site and seven water bombing aircraft have been deployed.

The fire started on Wednesday and flared up with a southwesterly wind change early on Thursday.

Mr Ord said it was unlikely to be contained before Friday but cooler conditions and
possible rain would help bring it under control.

Firefighters are also monitoring a 2,000 hectare blaze at Ournie, just over the NSW
border in northeast Victoria.

The towns of Tintaldra and Towong have been placed on alert in case the fire jumps the border.

AAP cmb/pmu/de

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES VIC THREAT

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