Advice Issued For: Churchill, Driffield, Hazelwood, Hazelwood North, Morwell, Morwell North, Newborough, Traralgon, Yallourn, Yallourn North, Hazelwood South, Maryvale, Hernes Oak, Moe, Morwell Bridge, Yallourn Heights Fire Origin: HAZELWOOD Incident Name: HAZELWOOD MINE Issued: 05/03/14 6:15 PM This Advice message is being issued by Department of Health and the Country Fire Authority for Churchill, Driffield, Hazelwood, Hazelwood North, Morwell, Morwell North, Newborough, Traralgon, Yallourn, Yallourn North, Hazelwood South, Maryvale, Hernes Oak, Moe, Morwell Bridge, Yallourn Heights. Firefighters continue to work on the fire in the HAZELWOOD Open Cut Mine, the fire is currently not yet under control and continues to burn within the mine area. There is currently no threat to communities from this fire, but you should continue to stay informed and monitor conditions. Smoke will be visible from nearby communities and roads. Key Messages : The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has issued a low level smoke alert for the Latrobe Valley. This smoke is resulting from the Hazelwood open cut mine fire. Excessive smoke can aggravate existing heart or lung conditions and cause irritated eyes, coughing and wheezing. The elderly, children and those with existing heart or lung conditions should limit prolonged or heavy physical activity outdoors. Anyone with a heart or lung condition should take their medication as prescribed by their doctor. People with asthma should follow their asthma management plan. Temporary relocation away from the smoke is now recommended for people aged over 65, pre-school aged children (under 5, including babies and infants), pregnant women and anyone with a pre-existing heart or lung condition living or working in Morwell South, south of the railway line in Commercial Road. To seek advice and make arrangements for temporary relocation call the Department of Human Services on 1800 006 468 or go to recovery.vic.gov.au Anyone with concerns about their health should seek medical advice or call NURSE ON CALL on 1300 60 60 24. The next update is expected by 06/03/14 11:00 AM or as the situation changes. Forecast: Extended periods of significant smoke likely in Morwell South. Extended periods of significant smoke likely in Morwell East. Smoke impact unlikely in Moe. Brief periods of significant smoke possible in Traralgon. Brief periods of smoke possible for Churchill. Extended periods of significant smoke are likely in Morewell, especially on Wednesday evening and Thursday afternoon. Traralgon may also experience significant smoke impacts on Wednesday evening. Churchill may experience some smoke overnight. Moe is unlikely to be affected by smoke over the next 24 hours. Health Message Smoke is a mixture of different-sized particles. The larger particles which are visible to the eye contribute to the visible haze when a fire is burning. They are generally too large to be breathed deeply into the lungs but can irritate the nose and throat. Finer microscopic particles and gases are small enough to be breathed deep into the lungs and can cause health effects. Children, the elderly, pregnant women, smokers and people with pre-existing illnesses such as heart or lung conditions (including asthma) are more sensitive to breathing in fine particles. Protecting your health During extended, very smoky conditions, sensitive individuals should consider temporarily staying with a friend or relative living outside the smoke affected area. Others should also consider a break away from the smoky conditions. Avoid physical activity outdoors (exercise allows more fine particles to be breathed deeper into the lungs). People with pre-existing lung or heart conditions in particular, should rest as much as possible and keep away from the smoke. Anyone with a heart or lung condition should follow the treatment plan advised by their doctor and keep at least 5 days supply of medication on hand. People with asthma should follow their personal asthma plan. When at home, stay indoors with all windows and doors closed. If you operate an air conditioner during smoky conditions, switch it to recycle or recirculate to reduce smoke coming inside your home. When indoors, minimise other sources of air pollution, such as cigarette smoke, burning candles, using wood stoves or stirring up fine dust from sweeping or vacuuming. More information on the effects of smoke on your health can be found at health.vic.gov.au/hazelwood Community Respite Centre A Community Respite Centre has been set up at Moe Town Hall, 69 Albert Street, Moe. The Centre offers a cool air conditioned space where any resident or visitor can take a break away from the smoky conditions. Tea and coffee making facilities as well as current information on the fire situation and health environmental fact sheets, are available at the Respite Centre. The centre is open from 9am - 6pm daily. Community Health Assessment Centre If you want to talk to a nurse or ambulance paramedic, about your health please visit the Community Health Assessment Centre at Ambulance Victoria Regional Office, adjacent to the Mid Valley Shopping Centre at Saskia Way, Morwell. The Centre offers basic health assessments such as blood pressure, heart rate, temperature and basic respiratory checks. It operates from 8am to 8pm daily. Should anyone need medical care, they will be referred to their own doctor or to Latrobe Regional Hospital. For general health enquiries contact Nurse-On-Call on 1300 60 60 24. Community Information and Recovery Centre A community Information and Recovery Centre in Morwell has also been opened at 22 Hazelwood Road, Morwell, Opening hours are 9am - 6pm daily. Safety Information: Review your bushfire survival plan. If you do not have a plan, decide what you will do if the situation changes. If you have time check your neighbours to see if they are monitoring conditions. If you are experiencing smoke exposure, seek medical advice or call Nurse on Call on 1300 606 024. Stay Informed: Via cfa.vic.gov.au. Tune to ABC Local Radio, commercial and designated community radio stations, or Sky News TV. Call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) on freecall 1800 240 667. Deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment can contact VBIL via the National Relay Service on 1800 555 677. For help with English, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 (freecall) and ask them to telephone VBIL. If you know someone who cannot speak English, provide them with this number. Download the FireReady App or follow CFA_Updates on Twitter (#VicFires) or Facebook. Road closures: check VicRoads website.
Posted on: Wed, 05 Mar 2014 07:16:29 +0000
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