Vic: Lightning strikes threaten Victorian bushland

AAP General News (Australia)
12-30-2006
Vic: Lightning strikes threaten Victorian bushland

By Julie Tullberg

MELBOURNE, Dec 30 AAP - Victoria's bushfire authorities are on alert for lightning
strikes again as thunderstorms approach the state's north-west and far north-east.

After a series of lightning strikes set off one of Victoria's largest-ever firefighting
operations in its high country some weeks ago, the lightning is back to potentially wreak
havoc.

Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) planning and performance director
Duncan Pendrigh said a massive belt of lightning activity in southern NSW, far east Gippsland
and north-west Victoria had placed the state on bushfire alert.

A lightning strike started a fire about 30km south of Mildura in the state's north-west
today but Mr Pendrigh said it was contained quickly, as crews monitored the thunder via
aerial surveillance.

"It is very humid in east Gippsland at the moment ... we're not expecting many fires
from the lightning because of the humidity," Mr Pendrigh said.

"If it dries out, we might get some fires pop up."

Mr Pendrigh said the best way to tackle fires started by lightning strikes was to "jump
on them quickly", using aircraft to monitor the outbreaks and recruit help as fast as
possible.

The thunderstorms would be monitored closely over the next few days, Mr Pendrigh said,
but a spell of dry weather would be all it takes to fuel more unwanted blazes.

AAP jat/apm/de

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES VIC NIGHTLEAD

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