By KATRINA BRANDON and BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
ALTHOUGH summer might officially be over, authorities warn that the fire danger period isn’t, as fires continue to burn in the Gippsland region.
Recent weather events of extreme heat and intense thunderstorms, local scrubs and grass areas have become dry enough to become kindling for fires.
Last Wednesday (February 26), showed a top of 36 degrees for the Latrobe Valley.
Multiple fires were sparked across Gippsland during the extreme heat, with the recent fire at Mt Margaret Walking Track in Licola growing to 4700 hectares.
More localised fires included one in Yallourn North around 1.45pm and another fire on Park Road, Jericho.
CFA responded to a tree fire around 1.15pm on Wednesday, February 26 near Howletts Road, Yallourn North.
Crews arrived to find a fire underneath powerlines, growing quickly in scrubland and beneath high voltage lines.
The fire grew to about two hectares in size before crews were able to control it with the use of nine tankers and aircraft support.
The cause of the fire was due to the reignition of a similar fire that occurred in the same area on January 25 which was caused by an electrical fault.
The incident was declared under control at 2.07pm, but remains a risk of reignition.
Sparking a ‘Stay Informed’ warning, the fire in Jericho spread to 250 hectares by Friday morning heading south-easterly towards the Thomson Dam.
Over the weekend, the fire in Jericho soon became contained with about 70 vehicles responding to the bushfire.
Tagging a bit closer to home, a fire struck out at the corner of Boldings and Tramway Road at 10am on Thursday.
Fire crews arrived on scene quickly and soon marked the fire as safe not long afterwards.
While the Licola and Jericho fires aren’t currently a threat to nearby communities, authorities are still warning those close by to stay informed and act if needed. Throughout the summer period, they have also reminded people to have an up-to-date fire plan ready.
