URGENT exclusion zones are in place on Lake Glenmaggie after recreational users chased fire helicopters in boats and on jet skis.
A Transport Safety Victoria spokesperson said the exclusion zone was put in place to ensure helicopters sourcing water for the firefighting effort could do so safety.
A Parks Victoria spokesperson said there were up to five helicopters operating in the area and it was important they had clear and unrestricted access to the water.
"Boat and jet ski interference poses a huge risk to not only the pilots, but those on the water as well,'' the spokesperson said.
Southern Rural Water, which manages the lake, will place buoys along the exclusion zones in partnership with the Lake Glenmaggie Boat Club.
A number of agencies, including Victorian Water Police, will monitor the zones.
The exclusion starts tomorrow (Thursday, January 24) and will operate over the next three weeks on any day when helicopters need to access the lake.
The exclusion zones include:
- The bay west of a line between Glenmaggie Point and Glenmaggie Cemetery, up to the Licola Road bridge
- The area north of the Macalister River mouth at the five knot buoys
- 500 meters out from the weir wall (as opposed to the normal area of 200 meters out)
