Churchill fire 'threatening communities'

The Churchill fire was threatening communities in south Gippsland late on Monday,
fire authorities said.
The 33,000 hectare blaze was threatening the community of Won Wron just north of
Yarram, in south Gippsland at 5.30pm (AEDT) on Monday.
Residents of nearby Carrajung on the east side of Carrajung-Woodside Road were also
expected to be impacted directly.
The Country Fire Authority also issued an urgent threat message at 4.15pm (AEDT) to
residents near the Thomson Road area, Churchill, who were being directly hit by the
fire.
A CFA spokesman said the fire threat had increased as freshening winds picked up.
The death toll from the fires, which police believe were deliberately lit, in the
area continued to rise.
Nineteen people have now been confirmed dead in the region after the Churchill fires
devastated the towns of Callignee, Hazelwood, Jeeralang and Koornalla in southwest
Gippsland.
Nine people died in Callignee, one person was killed in Upper Callignee, four people
died at Hazelwood, one at Jeeralang and four at Koornalla.
The Churchill fires south of the Princes Highway have so far burnt about 33,000
hectares, while the Bunyip Ridge fire, north of the highway, has razed 25,000
hectares.
Containment lines are also being established on the western and eastern flanks of
the Bunyip blaze.
Residents of Gembrook have also been warned to be vigilant, although the town is not
currently under threat.
Firefighters are still battling dozens of fires across a scorched Victoria.
At least 750 homes have been destroyed and more than 330,000 hectares burnt out,
while authorities said some fires could take weeks to contain.
The latest death toll is 131, which surpasses the toll from the 1983 Ash Wednesday
bushfires, in which 75 people died in Victoria and South Australia, and the Black
Friday bushfires of 1939, which killed 71.
People wanting information on the Victorian fires and general fire safety can
contact the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on freecall 1800 240 667.
Anyone concerned about family and friends in the fire areas are advised to call the
National Registry Inquiry Service on 1800 727 077.