Feathertop Fires.

[Hallu]

Yeah they say sunny over there for the week end, even though it's supposed to rain tomorrow. Better safe than sorry, I'll just go East to Lerderderg or the Grampians =)

[north-north-west]

... however Parks Victoria have made it very clear that they will no longer maintain this track at all.

I'm wondering why they should be expected to. Isn't most of the North Razorback in State Forest, rather than the ANP? From memory, the Park border would be only about 3 km north of Feathertop.

[russell2pi]

I really doubt a Mt Howitt trip would be a problem. It's SW not SE, and a long way at that, in mild conditions. Still - better to be safe than sorry.

[inxs]

Unfortunately a bit of a fire has sparked up in the Hotham/Dinner Plains area. Some interesting viewing on the webcams.

[ryantmalone]

... however Parks Victoria have made it very clear that they will no longer maintain this track at all.

I'm wondering why they should be expected to. Isn't most of the North Razorback in State Forest, rather than the ANP? From memory, the Park border would be only about 3 km north of Feathertop.

From Stoney Tops to Feathertop is Alpine National Park, however for the first few kilometers along the North Razorback, one side of the ridge is State Park, the other side is National Park.

That said, the track that runs from before the North Peak to join up with the upper section of NW Spur is well within national park boundaries.

I wouldn't expect them to maintain it, sometimes its best for tracks to return to the wild, especially in such fragile areas. I'm just curious as to why the decision was made, when that track has a fair amount of history over the past nearly 50 years, for anyone who cares to read up on it, and how MUMC Hut was built. Its a hell of a feat.

[Kinsayder]

The ABC have just called a "large fast moving fire" in the area. Not much on details except the region.

EDIT>> http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-02-08/e ... ps/4507754

[ryantmalone]

The ABC have just called a "large fast moving fire" in the area. Not much on details except the region.

EDIT>> http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-02-08/e ... ps/4507754

Heading up to Feathertop again in a few weeks, hoping for the best.

With the fires looking as if they are heading for the Dry Barries, this could be pretty catastrophic.

[bailz66]

Apparently the fire is back

http://www.news.com.au/national/huge-fi ... 6574355859

[Out_Walking]

Apparently the fire is back

Judging by this map I don't think it's gone away. It looks like this will continue for weeks now it's jumped the Alpine Road.

http://osom.cfa.vic.gov.au/public/osom/attachments/1310040054/20130209_0830_PublicInformation_100k_A3_Port.pdf

[photohiker]

Hotham webcams show CFA Personnel at BigD: http://ski.com.au/snowcams/australia/vi ... bigd2.html

There's a bit of evidence of rain on the other cams, hopefully things are ok up there.

[photohiker]

Also, the summit video cam is online, you can see the CFA activity and proximity of the fire.

Scary stuff!

http://www.mthotham.com.au/mountain/sno ... summit.asp

[Kinsayder]

From those cams, it's looking pretty bad around Hotham right now.

[photohiker]

From those cams, it's looking pretty bad around Hotham right now.

There is a backburn in progress.

The hotham website has a relatively 'happy' 3PM update: http://www.mthotham.com.au/news/latest/ ... _13797.asp

Resort Threat: Medium – currently NO active fires within Resort boundaries.

Conditions: Currently; Fine and hazy. Temperature: 18’c (expected max. of 18’c)

Humidity: 24% Wind: Due NNW at 34 km/h with gusts to 55 km/h.

Current Status:
The ‘Harrietville – Alpine North and South Fires’ remain classified as ‘going’ and are continuing to spread - condition overnight were classified as 'mild'.

View from inside the Resort Management Building:



Close enough!

[Kinsayder]

That's a pretty frightening shot there, Michael!

[Snowzone]

Very sad news coming through tonight of two DSE firefighters dead after a tree fell on their vehicle while fighting the fires.
My thoughts go out to the families of these brave men.

http://www.3aw.com.au/blogs/breaking-ne ... 2ed6w.html

[Kinsayder]

Very sad news coming through tonight of two DSE firefighters dead after a tree fell on their vehicle while fighting the fires.
My thoughts go out to the families of these brave men.

http://www.3aw.com.au/blogs/breaking-ne ... 2ed6w.html

That's so very sad.

[phillis]

parks victoria just posted on facebook

'Places that were affected by the fires that have now re-opened are:

The spectacular Great Alpine Road from Harrietville to Mt Hotham
Mount Feathertop, the Bungalow Spur and the Razorback Track for some spectacular walking tracks
The recently upgraded Hotham-Dinner Plain Track for walkers and bike riders
For those wanting a four-wheel-drive adventure, the Wonnanagatta Valley is now open and accessible from the north from the Buckland and Buffalo Valleys
In the south, various tracks have re-opened on the Dargo High Plains.'

safe to return!