Fires close Mt Buangor and Mt Cole parks to campers

By Cathy Morris
Updated November 2 2012 - 1:35pm, first published March 25 2010 - 1:54pm
OUT OF BOUNDS: Park ranger Tony Veit inspects the popular Middle Creek camping ground in the Mt Buangor State Park, which is normally packed with campers over Easter. Picture: Jeremy Bannister
OUT OF BOUNDS: Park ranger Tony Veit inspects the popular Middle Creek camping ground in the Mt Buangor State Park, which is normally packed with campers over Easter. Picture: Jeremy Bannister

FIRE crews are continuing to black out and monitor the Mt Buangor State Park and Mt Cole State Forest following a 1300 hectare fire last week.The clean-up and assessment of the damage is set to begin soon.The fire began when two Department of Sustainability and Environment fuel-reduction burns broke containment lines last Wednesday.Parks Victoria ranger Tony Veit yesterday surveyed the damage at the Middle Creek camping site in the park.While many of the tree trunks were scorched, the canopies had stayed largely intact and there were signs of green leaves and shoots. Mr Veit said the park's three campgrounds were normally full at Easter time, but this year the parks will be closed.He said the risk of falling trees made it too dangerous for visitors. "Making it safe is the number one priority," Mr Veit said. "In 12 months it won't look anything like this, everything will be starting to grow back again."Mr Veit said the parks would probably be ready to re-open in about three months. For further park information, call Parks Victoria on 131 963 or visit www.parkweb.vic.gov.au.

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