Hazelwood open cut coal-mine

News release from CFA and International Power Hazelwood

CFA and International Power Hazelwood crews continue to work on containing a fire burning in non-operational areas of the Hazelwood open cut coal mine just south of Morwell.

Despite strong winds, crews have established some containment lines overnight and are also working on asset protection. They continue to closely monitor the fire behaviour today as strong winds have spread the fire and wind conditions are expected to change again later today.

Graeme York, CEO from International Power Hazelwood, said, "Given the difficult wind conditions and some awkward terrain, CFA and Hazelwood fire crews are doing a very good job in dealing with this incident."

"We would like to reinforce that there is no impact on power supplies from Hazelwood Power Station," Mr York said.

Current Status:

The fire is still burning on three batters (levels), and remains active under strong gusty North to North Westerly winds. Some spotting activity occurred throughout the day due to winds, however these have been extinguished.

The total area involved is approximately 1300 meters of batter across 3 levels. Tankers, mounted crane and ground monitor crews are all working on the fire. There is 60-90m of the lower level of the open cut mine fire that is now contained.

Access to the burning coal faces for firefighters is proving to be difficult. Tankers and slip-ons remain in place to prevent fire spreading east out of mine.

International Power personnel are working cooperatively with CFA in fire suppression and incident management.

Weather conditions have deteriorated to strong northerly winds that are gusting in the mine area.

There are approximately 120 CFA firefighters attending this incident. Firefighting operations will continue overnight, concentrating on an old mine outlet area and non-operational coal faces.

It is anticipated the firefighting commitment will extend for at least another 48 hours.

(Photos: Keith Pakenham)