BUSHFIRES have continued to burn across north-east Victoria for another day, affecting rural and residential areas.
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) has downgraded its warning for the Boweya, Yeerip and Boweya North fires.
The CFA says a large 6800-hectare bushfire is still travelling slowly in a easterly direction within the Warby Ranges; it is not yet under control.
A fire is still active in the Boweya and Killawarra forests, however, the spread of the fire has slowed.
Graziers in the north east are now counting the cost of the damage from the two fast moving fires which destroyed stock and burned a large area of pasture and stubble yesterday.
The CFA confirmed the Stewarton fire destroyed 3500 hectares of pasture and cropping land, while the Warby fire burned 8500ha north-east of Benalla.
Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) livestock group president Ian Feldtmann said at least 200 sheep had been destroyed at Emu Plains station, Stewarton.
“I understand there are also cattle which were exposed to the fire which will need some sort of assessment from the vet,” Mr Feldtmann said.
“There are quite a lot of fences burned, naturally.”
The CFA said there had been no loss of life, and no houses had been destroyed.
Crews from 15 CFA vehicles and water bombers fought the two fires at their peak.
Mr Feldtmann said extreme weather conditions into the night meant the fire was very difficult to control.
It was believed to have been started by a lightning strike.
CFA and Department of Primary Industries assessors are currently on the ground, looking at the impact on livestock and infrastructure.
Eyewitness accounts
Bill Sammon, “Majella,” Bungeet, said he was amazed no houses had been destroyed.
“It blew like buggery, from the north west, it was electric,” Mr Sammon said.
“If it had gone to a north wind, it would have had a hell of a front on it, it would have roared right through.”
“Majella” had not lost sheep, but Mr Sammon said he knew of nearby graziers who had lost animals.
“A lot of it is cropping land, and most of it has been harvested, so that’s positive in itself,” Mr Sammon said.
“The stubble is very thick, so there was a heap of fuel.”
Grazier and cropper Barry Clarke, Boweya, said most of his 600ha property had been burned out, but no sheep had been lost.
“Our house and immediate sheds are alright, all our other country is burned, so we have just been rounding up sheep and putting them in paddocks, where they are safe,” Mr Clarke said.
The CFA had saved hay, and he had grain in the silos, which would help feed the 800 head of stock he had.
Community meetings have been called in towns across the region throughout the afternoon.
A community meeting will be held at Benalla at 4pm for an update on fires in that region.
The meeting will be held at the Drill Hall, on the corner of Arundel and bridge streets, where a relief centre has been set up since last night.
The emergency warning for the Lake Rowan-Warby Ranges fire at Boweya and Boweya North has been downgraded to watch and act, but residents are still unable to return to their homes.
For fire information call 1800 240 667.
with The Border Mail.
