Craigs Hut

Hi guys,
Just following up on this info,
Can anyone tell us if the fires are under control as of today?
and are we ok to head into The Vic High Country 16th Feb for a week.
Would like to do Mansfield areas and then drag the van around to Dargo or Talbotsville area and camp up and do Blue Rag and Billy Goat ??
I will be travelling alone but I am experienced and hoping to meet up with other 4x4ers in the area.
Cheers
Patrolman

Patrolman
Have a look at the fire map attached to the fire warning advice for Mt Hotham, etc on the CFA website - it's a pdf on the top RHS.
The latter part of your trip could well be affected. Given the rugged and largely inaccessible country that is burning, they don't expect the fires to be fully extinguished until the rains come in late March (?) -> April. Until then, hot days with strong or gusting winds could fan the flames and produce spot fires.
Cheers
Andrew

My take on camping in the High Country at present is if you are unfamiliar with the area of travel, haven't taken the time to look at (and understand) fire maps, weather conditions & track closures, then sorry you shouldn't be up there! Additionaly before heading in you should have a rough evacuation plan & be aware of all heli pads, clearings & refuge areas should the worst happen. Campsites on dead end tracks should be avoided.
Dargo, Talbotville & Blue Rag will all be threatend by fire in the next 2 weeks if rain doesn't put the Harrietville fire out, but never take mine or anyone's word for that off a forum. Go check yourself.
Regards Craig.............

Thanks Andrew,
I have been checking the CFA website but was just after some local info as well.
From what i can see on the website I should be ok to go to Mansfield area. Maybe do Craigs Hut and some of the area around Jamieson and stay away from Dargo area.
Crackles
Sorry, I did say I am experienced in 4x4ing and I thought that would have been a given I would have checked maps and know where Heli pads are. My concern is I have not been to this area before and was hoping for some good advice from locals who have first hand experience up there.
I'll ask in the info centre at Mansfield when I get that far and follow there advice as well as CFA website as it gets closer.
Cheers
Patrolman

I only mentioned it Pat as a few so called experienced members of my local club went up that way a couple of weekends ago, wind changed directions blanketing them in smoke so they decided to high tail it out. Only problem is they had little knowledge of the tracks they were on & while heading away from the Licola fire went even closer down wind of the Harrietville fire. Whoops. Simply had no plan, didn't understand exactly where the fires were & which way they could safely exit. All this despite having sat phones to call home for updates & checking CFA websites when they got internet service on the hills.
They did say there were very few people driving around up there.
My suggestion for High Country travel at present is to camp ouside the Park & do day trips to known safe areas or come back in a month. For the next several days the forecast is for thunderstorms so God forbid more lightning strikes are possible.
Cheers Craig...........
PS: DSE at 128 Highett Street, Mansfield will be far more assistance than tourist info centre.
Cheers Craig..................

Hi Crackles
Thanks for the information and Ill certainly go to the DSE and check it out when I get to Mansfield. With some luck they might just get some rain dumped and not the thunderstorms. Lets hope !
Worts case I keep going and head to Blue Mountains for my 9 day break.
Cheers
patrolman

Hullo patrolmann
If you decide to head further afield, a suggestion would be to consider the adjacent eastern Gippsland - east of Omeo (provided no fires in the meantime) - or the SE of NSW between the Monaro Hwy and the coast up to about Bateman's Bay. There are some excellent areas to explore across this part of the country, with a good guide being produced by Craig Lewis and Cathy Savage called "4WD Touring - South East NSW and East Gippsland"
Cheers
Andrew

Thanks Andrew,
I look at that area as well.
cheers
patrolman