Incident Control Centre Hazelwood Key messages 6 March 2014, 0900hrs General • Community and firefighter safety remain top of the mind in everything we do – from planning to fire fighting. • Light south-westerly winds are forecast today, tending south-easterly this afternoon. • Significant progress has been made in reducing the active fire, with approximately 85% of the fire contained due to favourable conditions and excellent acheivements by day and night crews. • Continuing work with foam application and aircraft has reduced fire activity on the northern batters. • Aerial water bombing also continues on the southern batters, supported by dozer work on the ground. • The mine has placed additional pumps and water cannons on the southern batters to help with fire suppression in that part. • The aim is to reduce smoke and ash in order to minimise the impact on firefighting personnel, mine workers and the community. • Geotechnical experts have advised the fire is burning on average only about half a metre below the surface, with a maximum depth of two metres. • The protection of critical infrastructure, assets and water supply in and around the mine remains a priority. • Since the 17th February, community engagement teams have spoken to over 18,000 people face-to-face through engagement activities including train travel and walking the streets. Today’s weather and air quality – supplied by EPA Morwell South Extended periods of significant smoke expected. Morwell East Extended periods of significant smoke expected. Moe Extended periods of smoke possible. Traralgon Extended periods of smoke expected. Churchill Smoke impacts unlikely EPA Victoria has issued a low level smoke alert for Latrobe Valley today (Thursday) as a result of the Hazelwood open cut mine fire smoke. A low level alert means that it is likely residents will see smoke impacts today, with visibility reduced to between 10 – 20 kilometres due to high particle concentrations in the air. • The advice message issued from the Department of Health and CFA remains current for: Churchill, Driffield, Hazelwood, Hazelwood North, Morwell, Morwell North, Newborough, Traralgon, Yallourn, Yallourn North, Hazelwood South, Maryvale, Hernes Oak, Moe, Morwell Bridge, Yallourn Heights. Health advice message for Morwell South residents • Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, Dr Rosemary Lester, has advised people aged over 65, pre-school aged children, pregnant women and anyone with a pre-existing heart or lung condition living or working in Morwell South to consider temporary relocation because of the Hazelwood mine fire. • Latest indications are that the fire may not be extinguished in the near future and as a result Dr Lester has determined the best way for vulnerable people in Morwell South to avoid the continuing smoke and manage their health would be to temporarily relocate. • Over the past two weeks Dr Lester has been advising people in ‘at risk’ groups to reduce their exposure to smoke and ash. Given this exposure is now likely to continue, advice to temporarily relocate has been issued as a sensible precaution. • The Red Cross Register. Find. Reunite. Service is also running to help you let family and friends know where you are, if you take a break away from Morwell. Community information for today • Community Engagement Officers will be at the Morwell Childcare Centre today from 9.00am till 10.00am. • Information will be available on Elgin Street, near Morwell Coles from 12.00pm till 4.00pm today and at the Mid-Valley shopping centre from 1.00pm till 6.00pm. • The Moe Town Hall respite centre is open on Albert Street from 9am - 6pm and offers a relaxed air conditioned space to have a cuppa and take a break from the smoke. • The Community Information and Recovery Centre will be open from 9am - 6pm daily and is located at 22 Hazelwood Street, Morwell. The centre offers support and information from council, DHS, Red Cross, CFA, Victorian Council of Churches and other key agencies. • Community Health Assessment Centre, Ambulance Victoria Gippsland Regional Office, 2 Saskia Way in Morwell, next to the Mid-Valley Shopping Centre, 8am – 8pm. Two nurses and two paramedics offer basic health assessments, such as blood pressure, heart rate, temperature and basic respiratory checks such as chest sounds and respiratory rate. Anyone needing medical care will be referred to their own doctor or to Latrobe Regional Hospital. • A twice-weekly community newsletter is distributed by email, at all information points and through community engagement officers. • Latrobe City Council officers are doorknocking in the community, answering questions and helping residents find out more about the support available to them. Health information • Local air quality in the Latrobe Valley is currently being affected by smoke and ash from burning brown coal. • The primary health concern for fine smoke particles from the coal mine fires is respiratory irritation. • The primary health concern for ash fall-out is settling on surface, skin contact or irritation to the eyes. • Exposure to fine particles from the smoke can aggravate existing heart or lung conditions, including asthma. The elderly, pregnant women and children are likely to be more sensitive to the effects of the fine particles in smoke. • Stay aware of changing conditions via the EPA website or by calling 1300 372 842 (1300 EPAVIC) • 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 such as at the Respite Centre in Moe Town Hall. • A reminder that people need to use their common sense when indulging in strenuous exercise - especially when it is unnecessary. • Morwell residents have been reminded to avoid unnecessary strenuous outdoor activity, including organised sporting events, until air quality conditions improve. • Face masks - children in particular, may find it difficult or impractical to wear a face mask correctly so should instead reduce exposure to the smoke and ash. • Victorias Chief Health Officer, Dr Rosemary Lester, said prolonged heavy physical activity in the current conditions could trigger respiratory problems. People with pre-existing lung or heart conditions in particular should rest as much as possible and keep away from the smoke. • When at home, stay indoors with all windows and doors closed. If there is a break in smoky conditions, take the opportunity to air out your home to improve indoor air quality. • It’s not expected that exposure as a result of this fire will have long term health effects. Businesses • There are opportunities for small businesses to obtain assistance via a mobile business centre, a community advisory group and support workshops, which will be held in Morwell tomorrow, Friday 7 March. Detail TBC. • Grants are available for businesses with fewer than 20 employees. Call the Victorian Business Line on 13 22 15 or visit business.vic.gov.au • Business mentoring is available through Latrobe City Council on 1300 367 700. • Low interest concessional loans are available through Rural Finance Corporation. Call 1800 260 425 or visit ruralfinance.au Education • The Department of Education will act on advice from the Department of Health about school closures and welfare. Hazelwood mine fire • The Hazelwood mine fire is ongoing and crews remain focused on preventing spread of the fire in the coal batters and continue to monitor all critical infrastructure. • Further work has been undertaken to strengthen water supplies so more water can be pumped out of the mine. Two 500mm diameter, 4.7 kilometre long pipes are being constructed inside the mine to assist with the removal of water. This will assist with maintaining stability in the mine and allowing increased water capacity for fire fighting if required. • Being able to remove more water from the mine floor means more water can be pumped onto the burning coal. It also keeps the mine floor in better condition for fire fighters to operate. • We are using vehicles which use compressed air foam systems (CAFS) to help suppress the fire. This foam contains less water than other foams and is used to smother the fire and reduce smoke. Units from Tasmania and the ACT are being used to apply this foam. • The foam is used as a thick layer to blanket the fire, helping to cool it and suppress the smoke. • The amount of smoke, ash and carbon monoxide in the Latrobe Valley varies significantly depending on the weather conditions. When there are light south-westerly winds or no winds, that’s when Morwell experiences most impact. • Wind speed and direction is being closely monitored due to potential impacts on smoke for Morwell and surrounding areas. • Air quality is being monitored by EPA, emergency services and Hazmat technicians. Both fine particles and carbon monoxide are being measured as indicators of the impacts of smoke on local air quality. • Emergency services and the EPA will continue monitoring over coming weeks to minimise any risks to communities or firefighters. • There will continue to be smoke haze in the valley for some time. Integrity of the mine • A major consideration for emergency services is maintaining the integrity of the mine and the batters, particularly the northern batter. • Large volumes of water adds pressure inside the mine and prolonged usage may erode the area, so it’s about balancing fire fighting efforts with sound judgement about the safety of our fire crew and being aware of what the mine structure can and can’t withstand. • We have fire fighting strategies that are carefully considered with ongoing consultation with the people who know this mine and on-site engineers who understand its geology. • A crack emerged last week in the south eastern side. It is about 200 m long, 30 m deep, 3m wide and is being monitored by geo-technicians. VicRoads - Princes Freeway • VicRoads has equipment installed in the freeway near the Hazelwood open cut mine which continually monitors the condition of the freeway for any movement every day and all year. round. The system is continually monitored remotely and hasn’t recorded any movement in the last few weeks. • Visual inspections are also being undertaken daily and confirmed that there has been no indications of movement of the Princes Freeway. • A reduced speed limit on the Princes Freeway near the Hazelwood open cut mine is being maintained because of smoke in the area. All drivers are urged to obey this speed limit, drive with care and avoid being distracted by the Hazelwood mine fire.
Posted on: Wed, 05 Mar 2014 23:42:44 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015