Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MELBOURNE24
2009-02-12 05:38:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Melbourne
Cable title:
FAVORABLE WEATHER AIDS FIREFIGHTERS
VZCZCXRO9759 RR RUEHCHI RUEHFK RUEHHM RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHPB DE RUEHBN #0024 0430538 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 120538Z FEB 09 FM AMCONSUL MELBOURNE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4878 INFO RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC RUEHC/DEPT OF INTERIOR WASHINGTON DC RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHINGTON DC RUEHZU/ASIAN PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION RUEHPT/AMCONSUL PERTH 1528
UNCLAS MELBOURNE 000024
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
Department for CA/OCS/ACS/EAP, White House for NSC Bader
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID SENV CASC AS
SUBJECT: FAVORABLE WEATHER AIDS FIREFIGHTERS
Ref: A) Melbourne 23, B) Melbourne 21, C) Melbourne 20, D) Melbourne
17, E) Canberra 134, F) Canberra 100
Summary
-------
UNCLAS MELBOURNE 000024
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
Department for CA/OCS/ACS/EAP, White House for NSC Bader
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID SENV CASC AS
SUBJECT: FAVORABLE WEATHER AIDS FIREFIGHTERS
Ref: A) Melbourne 23, B) Melbourne 21, C) Melbourne 20, D) Melbourne
17, E) Canberra 134, F) Canberra 100
Summary
--------------
1. (SBU) Fire crews are making progress against the 20 active blazes
in Victoria, though they expect less favorable weather by February
18. The death toll for Saturday's blazes stands at 181. Post has
not received reports of any U.S. citizens injured or killed in the
fires. While some parts of the state are moving to a recovery
stage, others are still busy managing relief operations. End
Summary.
Favorable Weather Conditions Helping
--------------
2. (SBU) Cool temperatures, light winds and scattered showers have
helped firefighters make progress against the 20 major fires still
burning throughout Victoria. Although the death toll from
Saturday's blazes stands at 181, disaster victim identification
teams continue to search fire-affected areas and will likely
continue to do so for many weeks. Christine Jessup at the Emergency
Management Assistance (EMA) center informed post on February 12 that
firefighters are organizing the "largest ever" fire containment line
to protect a water catchment area near Yea (located 80 kilometers
northeast of Melbourne). According to Jessup, crews are trying to
gain the upper hand against the fires before anticipated hot weather
and northerly winds set in on February 18. In response to severe
damage to water catchments, Melbourne Water is already developing a
rehabilitation plan.
3. (SBU) Additional emergency resources (NFI) are coming from New
Zealand on February 13 and we expect the team of 60 U.S. wild fire
experts to arrive on schedule on February 15. Foreign Minister
Stephen Smith reportedly announced on February 12 that the GOA may
accept foreign government offers of assistance once authorities
better understand what will be needed. Victorian officials continue
their hunt for suspected arsonists and arrested, but later released
two suspects on February 12. Victoria Premier John Brumby is widely
expected to announce today that the state will implement Australia's
toughest building standards for fire prone areas. According to
Brumby: "we must make sure this tragedy wasn't in vain: grasp this
opportunity to develop Australia's first ever national approach to
fire and rescue."
American Citizens
--------------
4. (SBU) As of 4:30 PM local time, post had not received any reports
of U.S. citizens injured or killed in the fires. We verified the
well-being of one of two outstanding welfare and whereabouts (W&W)
requests outstanding from February 11 and continue to follow up on
the second. Post received a Congressional W&W request on February
12 from Senator Mark Pryor's (AR) office. We have requested
additional biographic data in order to carry out the request.
ConGen Sydney received another Congressional W&W request on February
12 from Senator Richard Lugar (IN) and is working to confirm the
well-being of the U.S. citizen concerned.
Comment
--------------
5. (SBU) Communities in Victoria are at differing stages of
recovery. Many are still overwhelmed with relief operations and
questions remain over the fate of the thousands of people displaced
by the blazes. While an improved mood has set in among emergency
crews who continue to make progress battling the fires, most
acknowledge that events may still quickly take a turn for the
worse.
THURSTON
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
Department for CA/OCS/ACS/EAP, White House for NSC Bader
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID SENV CASC AS
SUBJECT: FAVORABLE WEATHER AIDS FIREFIGHTERS
Ref: A) Melbourne 23, B) Melbourne 21, C) Melbourne 20, D) Melbourne
17, E) Canberra 134, F) Canberra 100
Summary
--------------
1. (SBU) Fire crews are making progress against the 20 active blazes
in Victoria, though they expect less favorable weather by February
18. The death toll for Saturday's blazes stands at 181. Post has
not received reports of any U.S. citizens injured or killed in the
fires. While some parts of the state are moving to a recovery
stage, others are still busy managing relief operations. End
Summary.
Favorable Weather Conditions Helping
--------------
2. (SBU) Cool temperatures, light winds and scattered showers have
helped firefighters make progress against the 20 major fires still
burning throughout Victoria. Although the death toll from
Saturday's blazes stands at 181, disaster victim identification
teams continue to search fire-affected areas and will likely
continue to do so for many weeks. Christine Jessup at the Emergency
Management Assistance (EMA) center informed post on February 12 that
firefighters are organizing the "largest ever" fire containment line
to protect a water catchment area near Yea (located 80 kilometers
northeast of Melbourne). According to Jessup, crews are trying to
gain the upper hand against the fires before anticipated hot weather
and northerly winds set in on February 18. In response to severe
damage to water catchments, Melbourne Water is already developing a
rehabilitation plan.
3. (SBU) Additional emergency resources (NFI) are coming from New
Zealand on February 13 and we expect the team of 60 U.S. wild fire
experts to arrive on schedule on February 15. Foreign Minister
Stephen Smith reportedly announced on February 12 that the GOA may
accept foreign government offers of assistance once authorities
better understand what will be needed. Victorian officials continue
their hunt for suspected arsonists and arrested, but later released
two suspects on February 12. Victoria Premier John Brumby is widely
expected to announce today that the state will implement Australia's
toughest building standards for fire prone areas. According to
Brumby: "we must make sure this tragedy wasn't in vain: grasp this
opportunity to develop Australia's first ever national approach to
fire and rescue."
American Citizens
--------------
4. (SBU) As of 4:30 PM local time, post had not received any reports
of U.S. citizens injured or killed in the fires. We verified the
well-being of one of two outstanding welfare and whereabouts (W&W)
requests outstanding from February 11 and continue to follow up on
the second. Post received a Congressional W&W request on February
12 from Senator Mark Pryor's (AR) office. We have requested
additional biographic data in order to carry out the request.
ConGen Sydney received another Congressional W&W request on February
12 from Senator Richard Lugar (IN) and is working to confirm the
well-being of the U.S. citizen concerned.
Comment
--------------
5. (SBU) Communities in Victoria are at differing stages of
recovery. Many are still overwhelmed with relief operations and
questions remain over the fate of the thousands of people displaced
by the blazes. While an improved mood has set in among emergency
crews who continue to make progress battling the fires, most
acknowledge that events may still quickly take a turn for the
worse.
THURSTON