Most of Australia’s ski resorts are currently threatened by bush fires.
The country’s biggest ski area, Perisher, along with Charlotte Pass, Falls Creek, Mount Hotham, Mount Buller and Mount Stirling Alpine Resorts and their surrounding local communities are all under threat.
“Our much loved resorts and resort communities are facing significant fire threats today and likely over the coming weeks,” a Perisher spokesperson said, adding, “Significant preparation has been undertaken to protect the ski resorts and community assets. However, our priority is the safety of our staff and their families, in the knowledge resort guests have heeded advice and left the area.”
In the province of Victoria premier Daniel Andrews has declared a state of disaster for the first time ever. Ski resorts listed as under significant threat here include Mount Buller, Mount Hotham and Mount Stirling Alpine Resorts. Vic Emergency has ordered residents of Dinner Plain, Falls Creek and Hotham Heights to evacuate yesterday with a danger to life.
In New South Wales the Fire Service has released fire spread prediction map for Saturday, January 4 and it includes Perisher, Thredbo and Charlotte Pass. Perisher has been reported to have been using its large snow making operation to dampen its slopes.
Rachael Oakes-Ash of the Australian-based global ski website snowsbest.com is running reports on the developing situation and has a piece on ways to help from afar.
(stock photos used with this article)
