And still it continues...

Another day of high fire alert today.
After a brief stint at home during the week, Clare has returned to Mum and Dad's. Everyone there is monitoring the situation and if it worsens they'll all leave and probably go to my brother's (who, btw, is having a birthday today. Happy Birthday Pete!!).

I heard a scary stat on the radio this morning - in the 3 weeks since this all started, there have been 3500 fires across Victoria. 70 plus towns have been affected in one way or another - the worst, obviously, being places like Marysville which has been completely wiped out.

And I'm moving to Hoddles Creek tomorrow.

From the CFA website, the latest update, posted at 10am this morning - about an hour ago.
Awareness Message - Yarra Valley, Warburton Valley and surrounding areas
27/02/2009

Incident Information

Local, national and international firefighting crews from CFA, DSE, Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water, NSW Rural Fire Service, Tasmanian Fire Service, Western Australian DEC and Fire and Emergency Services, NSW National Parks and Wildlife, New Zealand, Canada and the USA are deployed in anticipation of today's testing conditions.

Residents in the Yarra Valley including communities in the vicinity of Toolangi, Castella, Fernshaw, Healesville, Don Valley, Mount Toolebewong, Badger Creek, Woori Yallock, Seville, Wandin, Coldstream, Yarra Glen, Yeringberg, Gruyere, Dixons Creek, Steels Creek, Chum Creek, Arthurs Creek, Christmas Hills, Smiths Gully, St Andrews, Strathewen, Yan Yean and Whittlesea need to be aware that fire activity continues in the area. No properties are under threat at this time.

Residents in the Warburton Valley including communities in the vicinity of Launching Place, Yarra Junction, Wesburn, Millgrove, Warburton, Warburton East, McMahons Creek, Reefton, Gladysdale, Hoddles Creek, Yellingbo and Big Pats Creek need to be aware that fire activity continues in the area. No properties are under threat at this time.

DSE and CFA are reminding communities in the areas surrounding the fires to activate their bushfire survival plans. If you are going to leave, leave early.