Liam McNally
Fire fighters battled a grassfire all weekend to save nine homes and 16 sheds near Bacchus Marsh.
More than 45 CFA units including aircraft responded to a grass and scrub fire on Glenmore Road at 3.35pm, February 17, triggering a ‘leave now’ warning from VicEmergency for Glenmore, Ingliston, Maddingley, Rowsley at 4.52pm.
A CFA spokesperson said wind speed was high, heading in an easterly and northern direction, threatening nearby assets.
Victoria Police were called to the scene, where they blocked Glenmore Road in both directions, Ambulance Victoria was called to the scene, and Forest Fire Management Victoria were called to the scene with a dozer appliance.
By 7.30pm, the VicEmergency rating changed to ‘stay near shelter, and in the update it said 145 hectares had been burned.
Crews continued to work through the night with five trucks on scene, during which a small section was not contained overnight due to the inaccessible terrain. Additional crews attended the following day.
One shed and three machinery sheds were impacted by the blaze, with crews able to save sixteen sheds and nine homes. Power lines were involved in flame.
By 6.40am Saturday, the VicEmergency status was downgraded to ‘stay informed’, but the incident wasn’t deemed under control until 6.22pm, February 19.
Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) is investigating a fire that started in Glenmore on Friday, February 17.
ESV chief executive Leanne Hughson said the fire impacted 165 hectares and threatened several houses, destroyed farm infrastructure including sheds, fences and tractors, and ESV investigators will establish whether there have been any energy safety breaches connected with the fire.
In a Facebook post Eynesbury CFA said “well done” to the crew on board and all other volunteer crews that attended that brought under control “after a long fire fight in extreme conditions”.
Details: emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/
