Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) will continue to monitor air quality in response to peat fires in southwest Victoria, providing real time reports to the public via its AirWatch website www.epa.vic.gov.au/EPAAirWatch
EPA Chief Environmental Scientist Dr Andrea Hinwood said with nine air monitoring stations currently assessing air pollutants at locations around Camperdown, Lake Cobrico, Cobden and Lake Elingamite, this is the most complex and intensive air quality monitoring exercise the EPA has mounted.
EPA has had scientific, health, public information and logistics staff working in the southwest, in a supporting Agency Command Team at EPA headquarters, and with other emergency response agencies in the State Control Centre. Up to 17 EPA staff have been deployed at any time, including 10 specialists running the mobile air quality monitoring stations near the fires and in neighbouring communities.
“Peat fires are extremely difficult to extinguish and can burn for some time. The peat fire near Lake Cobrico is the most complex. It is 79ha in size with a perimeter of 5.5km, and burns similarly to briquettes, releasing a lot of smoke as it burns,” Dr Hinwood said.
“Community members around Cobrico, Elingamite and Elingamite North need to be aware of the risks of peat smoke and understand what it means for them. The more vulnerable; people with existing respiratory or health issues, the old and the very young in particular, need to be aware of the risks of peat smoke.”
The two key risks are carbon monoxide, and particulate matter (particles), which can travel long distances from the peat smoke plume but are at the highest levels closest to the fires at the two lakes.
Everyone is encouraged to take action to manage their own health and wellbeing, and that of their families and animals. Look at your location, the amount of smoke in the area and consider potential risks to your health. You can use the guide developed by EPA and DHHS to determine your individual risk, and decide on what action you should take. The guide and associated peat smoke proximity maps are available on www.emergency.vic.gov.au/relief
Carbon monoxide builds up gradually in the human body over a period of hours. It is also gradually removed from the body after exposure stops. It is recommended that if you are within 1km of the peat smoke plume, you relocate to stay with family and friends overnight, however you can return during the day. Take precautionary actions, such as regular testing and monitoring of your health if you return to visit your property.
If you are within 1km - 6km of the peat smoke plume, it’s recommended you avoid outdoor physical activity. Anyone with a heart or lung condition should take their medication as prescribed by their doctor and people with asthma should follow their asthma management plan.
Regular paper dust masks, handkerchiefs or bandannas do not protect you from fine smoke particles or gases. Particulate matter face masks (e.g P2 masks) will not protect against carbon monoxide exposure. P2 masks will be available at some relief centres and can be purchased from hardware stores. These masks only work if fitted correctly and replaced regularly. Anyone with facial hair will need to be clean shaven to ensure correct fitting.
Decisions about school and early childhood services closures in affected areas will be made before the end of the school holidays. Stay up to date on any closures in your area at www.education.vic.gov.au/closures.
Note: To provide this ongoing community protection, EPA has moved some equipment from EPA’s Macleod, Box Hill and Dandenong air quality monitoring stations. This means monitoring for PM2.5 from the Macleod, Box Hill and Dandenong stations will be temporarily unavailable.