Thread by @tyson_whelan

I’m at the CFA community meeting in Lakes Entrance this evening. We’re about to get underway - I suspect there’s around 500-600 here. Hundreds standing outside, can’t make it inside the room. I’ll update this thread with information.

“I know people are upset with the way things have been handled, we are trying our best. Tonight is not the night for anger, tonight is the night for information,” representative from Lakes Entrance CFA says.

“We’re asking people not to put us in a position of danger. We need people to care about themselves, their friends and their neighbours,” Lakes Entrance CFA Captain says.
“I don’t think people realise the severity of the situation that we’re in.”

“I don’t think Lakes Entrance has seen what’s about to impact us potentially...a lot of people think they are safe coming into Lakes Entrance - they’re not” Lakes Entrance CFA Captain says. “Bricks and mortar are not always safe”.

“I’m not telling you ‘you have to leave Lakes Entrance’, if you feel that you can’t protect your property - you need to make that decision, honestly and earnestly”

Ian Ashcroft of the Lakes Entrance Fire Brigade says “for tomorrow, the fire danger rating is ‘very high’. Wind is from the SSE, it should push the fires away from us.”
“For Saturday, the forecast is very similar to Monday. We’re expecting a change much earlier.”

Ashcroft: “Winds from the North, at 10 to 15km with a change at midday”
“Fingers crossed”.

“On Monday, we had 9 appliances fighting the fire at Mossy Face. That took a half dozen hours...when the change came we found ourselves back there - fighting from a different direction...we managed to save a house,” local fire fighter says.

“If you don’t need to be on the roads...do not be there. There were instances where people stopped us from being able to do what we needed to do...I get people are interested...but I will not tolerate it,” CFA Captain says.

“Given the forecast, this fire is likely to pop out of containment lines - if there are any - and take a run,” Lakes Entrance CFA says.
“Last time, the fire got over containment lines, reasonably thick - this time we don’t have containment lines”

“We don’t know about fire, we take the information from these guys...roads will be closed...we want to preserve life”
“Do not go through the road closure...we won’t chase you because we won’t put officers lives at risk,” Lakes police chief says.

“Based on the predictions, we will close roads.
Get a bit of fuel, charge your phone.
If you don’t live here, please consider leaving.
I’ve already spoken to my family, they’re going West.
I’m pretty sure I’ve made my clear,” Lakes police chief says to applause.

Police did not provide details as to which roads are likely to close around Lakes Entrance.

Last message: locals need to go to Register.Find.Reunite register.redcross.org.au if they are leaving.
I’ve had to leave the meeting. If you are seeking more information, the brigade is streaming the meeting to their page: fbwat.ch/1lUbbEAzInONxw…

One powerful quote from Lakes Entrance CFA. When asked if certain towns are going to be impacted by fires...”from Bairnsdale to Queensland, the whole Eastern seaboard, has either gone or is going to go”. #vicfires #ausfires

Right on cue: Army black hawk chopper flies overhead in Lakes Entrance.

On a personal note: I’ve been covering the #EastGippslandFires from sun up until sun down for the last 5 days now and I gather from authorities that the worst is yet to come. My family and I will be leaving Lakes Entrance in the coming hours. I’ll try to keep followers updated.