Fire Watch with Katrina Brandon

 

Matthew’s Quarry bushfire

A COLUMN of smoke on the Tyers-Walhalla Road appeared Tuesday, February 17, leading authorities up the hill.

The bushfire appeared seven kilometres north-west of Tyers, near Matthew’s Quarry, around 11.50am.

Two aircraft responded to the scene around 12.04pm, with a Vic Emergency alert warning that the road was closed due to fire.

Fire fighting crews from Tyers, Erica, Glengarry, Yallourn, Traralgon, Westbury, Fire Rescue and Forest Fire Management Victoria worked hard to bring the blaze under control.

Around 1.40pm, the fire was being marked as contained on the Vic Emergency app.

No go zone: Tyers-Walhalla Road was closed from Matthew’s Quarry and up further towards Erica as a 0.1-hectare bushfire arose. Photographs: Katrina Brandon (unless specified)

“Earlier today, our crews responded to two callouts within minutes of each other,” the Tyers Fire Brigade posted to Facebook.

“Aerial appliances quickly confirmed both reports were the same incident, allowing crews to get on scene fast near Matthew’s Quarries.

“With support from air attack, Erica & District Fire Brigade, Glengarry Fire Brigade, Yallourn North Urban Fire Brigade, Traralgon Fire Brigade – CFA Volunteers and Fire Rescue Victoria Pumper 77, crews worked alongside FFMV swiftly to contain and extinguish the fire.

“A huge thank you to all the brigades who assisted today, and to our members who crewed the station to ensure a rapid response when it mattered most.”

The cause of this fire is currently under investigation.

A small fire was also reported on Yabbie Track, Moondarra at 11.43am, attended by three vehicles.

 

Nilma-Warragul fire

A GRASS fire was sparked alongside the Princes Freeway between Nilma and Warragul on Monday, February 16.

The fire was said to have been lit around 10.30am, when workers were attempting to put out the fire before fire crews came and took over.

The incident was marked under control as of 11.30am.

While ablaze, drivers pulled alongside the opposite side of the road to let crews work to get it under control.

 

Morwell bin fire

FIRE Rescue Victoria responded to an incident on Commercial Rd, Morwell on Tuesday, February 17 at 10:59am following a call to Triple Zero (000) reporting a bin fire.

Firefighters arrived on scene in five minutes to find a small bin fire and quickly extinguished the flames.

The incident was deemed under control at 10.09am.

On scene: A small bin fire was reported on Commercial Road, Morwell on Tuesday, February 17.

 

High angle rescue

TAKING advantage of the good weather, a few adventurers unfortunately went off track north of Walhalla.

On Saturday (February 21), an incident was alarmed where a couple of people needed assistance on Pheasant Track.

Paramedics and a helicopter team were called out to the incident around 11.50am.

 

Traralgon fire bug

MULTIPLE alerts were raised on Sunday (February 22) relating to fires in Traralgon.

At 11.35pm, a small fire was recorded on Vic Emergency on Traralgon West Rd.

Another fire was found alongside the Princes Freeway, near Northern Avenue at 2.39pm.

 

Cigarette safety

ALARM was raised on the Mirboo North Community Facebook Page on Tuesday, February 17 as a cigarette was found in Baths Reserve.

The poster warned that due to high fire danger, dry and hot conditions, people should be more aware of their cigarette butts and of the risks involved near high-fuel areas.

According to Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV), smoking is the leading cause of house fire deaths in Australia.

Half of fatal fires attended by FRV in the last financial year involved discarded smoking materials such as cigarettes, lighters and matches.

Safety first: A cigarette butt was found at Baths Reserve, Mirboo North. People have been reminded to dispose of cigarettes correctly to avoid potentially fatal fires.
Photograph supplied

In high and dry conditions, authorities warn that even a toss of a cigarette out the car window can risk starting a fire, particularly where there is high grass alongside the road.

While quitting is recommended, FRV said that there are a few ways to minimise the fire risk, particularly for homes:

  • If you can, smoke outside the home in a single location;
  • If smoking occurs in the home, there should be a smoke alarm in every room;
  • Never smoke in bed;
  • Don’t smoke when affected by alcohol, drugs or medications that may cause drowsiness;
  • Use heavy, high-sided, non-combustible ashtrays to dispose of cigarette butts. Pour some water on the ash and butts to make sure they’re out;
  • “Stick it don’t flick it” – never flick cigarette butts, either inside or outside;
  • Never leave a lit cigarette unattended and butt out your cigarette before you walk away, and;
  • Keep matches and cigarette lighters out of reach of children.

FRV recommend when emptying an ashtray or cigarettes into the bin, ensure all cigarettes and ash have been extinguished. This can be done by pouring some water on the ash.

For more fire safety information on safe smoking practices, visit the FRV website: https://www.frv.vic.gov.au/smoking-practices