Fire risks empty hills

By Tania Martin
TOURISTS and residents, including local traders, have been opting to get off the mountain as high winds and temperatures have provided no let-up in the fire risks.
As emergency services warned of the dangers many areas were increasingly starting to look like ghost towns.
One Monbulk bakery worker said business was quiet with hardly anyone coming into town and it was the same story across the hills.
Only a few residents remained in Belgrave and even traders decided to close their doors for a time.
Belgrave Traders Association president and Reel Cafe owner Donna Burgess said it was understandable that people had decided to go but it was hard on many businesses at the moment.
“Everyone enacted their plans really early (on Friday) or the night before,” she said. “There was just no one around.”
But Ms Burgess said people could not be too careful, especially considering how quickly the fires came up on Marysville and Kinglake.
“I can understand why people are so concerned and the safety of your family has to be foremost in your mind,” she said.
Ms Burgess said the fires had been hard on businesses over the past month but encouraged locals to keep supporting the traders in this time.
“There is nothing we can do … the weather is out of our control and we understand the need to get off the mountain,” she said.
Ms Burgess said the other issue was getting staff to come to work on the high-risk days.
Olinda and Sassafras were also suffering from a decrease in trade, she said, and in Emerald even the post office shut its doors on Friday.
Local resident Denise Todd said she was shocked to find the post office had closed.
“I wasn’t aware Emerald was listed as a high fire risk area at the time,” she said.
Ms Todd said it was disappointing that residents weren’t told of the closure.
“As it turned out Friday – fortunately so – did not experience the same conditions as Black Saturday and I wonder if this is panic gone mad,” she said.
But the threat is far from over with another high-risk day tipped for today (Tuesday 3 March). Victoria’s emergency services have warned people to expect the worst with more extreme conditions on the way.
Emergency Services Minister Bob Cameron said all Victorians needed to be prepared with high winds and temperatures expected this week.
“People need to closely monitor updates and work with emergency services over the coming days to protect life and property,” he said. “Keep an eye out for your neighbours and check on the elderly and people with special needs.”
Conditions are expected to continue until tomorrow (Wednesday) with the onset of high winds part of a south-westerly change.