Antinuclear

Peat fires that have forced residents in Victoria’s south-west to evacuate their houses could continue smouldering for months, farmers say.

About 100 houses have been evacuated due to the fires burning near Cobrico over the last two days, with locals urged to leave the area until wind conditions change.

Cobrico farmer John Errey had to leave his home for a night on Thursday — and will probably have to do so again.

One of the blazes that tore through the region on St Patrick’s Day burnt three-quarters of his pasture, yet miraculously spared his house, dairy and livestock.

But the fires continue to smoulder in the peat swamp at the bottom of his farm.

“In 1983, we had spot fires from the Ash Wednesday fires down in there. It burnt for months,” Mr Errey said………http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-24/cobden-peat-fire-farmer-fears-could-smoulder-for-months/9583410