18/09/08 – UPDATE 10:00am – HAZELWOOD MINE FIRE

Joint Information Release

From CFA and International Power Hazelwood

CFA and International Power Hazelwood (IPRH) crews have continued blacking out operations on a fire burning in nonoperational areas of the Hazelwood Mine south of Morwell.

Cool and still conditions have assisted crews over the past 36 hours in making excellent progress after yesterday’s declaration of the fire being ‘under control’.

Peter Lockwood, CFA Incident Controller, said the focus was now on accessing some difficult terrain areas where hot spots remain.

“Crews will continue fire extinguishment work today with tools such as crane-mounted monitors and our specialised tele-boom,” Mr Lockwood said.

“Specialised thermal imaging equipment has been effective in identifying any remaining hot spots where the fire has already been extinguished.”

Mr Lockwood said around 45 CFA personnel remain on site alongside 45 Hazelwood and contractor employees.

CFA are expected to begin the staged release of infrastructure and resources commitment over the next few days with handover expected late Saturday.

The fire is in a non-operational coal face at the Hazelwood Mine and has not damaged any operational infrastructure.

Power supplies and mining operations at IPRH have not been affected.

For further CFA information contact CFA Media on 5330 3124 (24 hr no)
For further IPRH information contact Neil Lawson on 5135 5093

Information Release 18/09/2008 1000 hrs

Message Authorised By: Peter Lockwood, Incident Controller
Message Authorised By: Graeme York, CEO IPRH