A contingent of emergency management personnel from the United States arrived to assist in managing Victoria’s ongoing and significant fire threat last Thursday.Thirty-nine firefighters and two liaison officers from across the US, including from Phoenix, Georgia and Idaho, have joined Victorian crews in East Gippsland.The firefighting experts will assist in regaining road access across East...

Donations keep rolling in at the Lucknow Hall with donated goods on Friday being taken across the road to the Lucknow Recreation Reserve.Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, dropped in to survey the work of the volunteers and spoke with several, as well as Lyn Wallwork, who lost her family home at Sarsfield.Just prior to Mr Morrison’s visit, a team from the Mornington Peninsula rolled in with brand...

A State of Disaster was last Thursday declared in East Gippsland and the High Country and that is certainly the case.While fire activity didn’t reach the heights of last Monday night and Tuesday in East Gippsland, High Country towns such as Omeo, Swifts Creek, Dinner Plain and Mount Hotham were at the centre of extreme threat as the areas affected closes in on one million hectares.Scorching...

Human generosity is shining at Lucknow Hall where volunteers are busy putting together packages of food, clothing, water and toiletries for those affected by the bushfires.Matt Whelan, of Johnsonville, was at the hall yesterday, helping other volunteers load his ute and trailer for a second trip to the Buchan Football Club where hundreds of locals are congregating.“The first run I did on...

Victoria’s Premier, Daniel Andrews, flew into fire ravaged East Gippsland on New Year’s Day to inspect the damage.In conjunction with the Federal Government, Premier Andrews instigated a military style operation to help those isolated by the fires with fears tomorrow’s expected extreme temperatures could inspire worsening fire conditions.The Australian Defence Force will move naval assets...