This weekend has seen major fire activity across the east of the state, heralding an early start to the season. There were significant grass and bushfires over the course of Saturday and Sunday, including more than 60 fires in a 24-hour period, many the result of the reignition of burn-offs due to the strong winds across Victoria.
Emergency alerts were issued across communities in West and South Gippsland, as well as East Gippsland. The largest of these fires, near Briagolong, has burned more than 5,000 hectares and, as of Sunday evening 1/10/2023, is not yet under control. We have so far confirmed the loss of one home and multiple outbuildings.
Hundreds of CFA firefighters have been tackling these blazes alongside our sector partners, with great aerial and heavy plant support. Thankfully, there have been no reports of serious injury. Strike teams were deployed from Districts 8, 13, 14 and 7, which demonstrates the CFA’s ability to quickly mobilise and deploy firefighting capability across the state.
The Shoreham Brigade has also been very busy, on Friday at about 7pm we were called out to support Flinders Brigade with an out-of-control burn off, Saturday at 8 am we were at a controlled burn-off near Buxton Reserve. At 5 pm, we were called to a out-of-control burn-off in Pt Leo. Then, at 1.30 pm Sunday, we were requested to go to Maffra to help protect from a wind change under intense fire expected later in the evening. Again, we responded with 5 brigade members getting to Traralgon before conditions changed and we were released to head home…
Then again on Monday night, the Brigade were called to a false alarm at the Pt Leo camp ground.
These early fires are a timely reminder for all of us to be prepared, and we continue to advise the community to stay vigilant to the risks.
We want to thank those who have been out on the fire-ground, and those members supporting them back at the brigades, for their efforts in keeping their communities safe this weekend.
Stay safe,
Tony Wain,
Shoreham Captain