Large CFA response

COUNTRY Fire Authority (CFA) units from across the district were busy on Tuesday as extreme heat and dry conditions led to tough firefighting conditions.

Everyone on deck: Over 60 Country Fire Authority (CFA) vehicles responded to a grassfire in Larralea on Tuesday, including aircraft support. All pictures courtesy of Bronson Whytcross.

A grassfire began in the Larralea area at 1.15pm on Tuesday, when temperatures exceeded 45 degrees.

CFA District Six acting assistant chief fire officer Peter Lockwood said conditions faced by attending crews were challenging due to the heat.

“The local brigades responded quickly and realised the impact the fire was going to have – they made very early calls for extra trucks and for aircraft,” he said.

“All of the other supporting arrangements such as communication platforms and bulk water were also activated as they knew it was going to be a very long, difficult firefight.”

At the peak of the fire, more than 60 vehicles and over 100 responders were in attendance.

While impact assessments are underway and Agriculture Victoria is assessing losses, the fire burnt 3249 hectares over the course of the day and night.

Crews got the fire under control at around 12.45am on Wednesday.

“To all the people who were out there – the volunteers, the plantation people and the supporters – their hard and arduous work enabled us to bring the fire under control late into Wednesday night,” Mr Lockwood said.

“It was a very big effort by all, as well as those from other districts who came and supported us in a time where things have been very challenging for the district.

“We have the fires in the Otways as well as the flash flooding along the Great Ocean Road as well, which has made this a very long and challenging campaign for our volunteers and everyone involved in emergency management.

“For that, I want to say thank you to everyone for their efforts – not only for the Larralea fires, but for their continued effort over the last few weeks.”

The cause of the fire is deemed not suspicious.

CFA advise the best place to receive safety messaging during fire events is emergency.vic.gov.au, where the latest warnings will reflect current information.