COUNTRY Fire Authority has attributed extremely dry conditions to three fires sparked by lightning on the edge of the Little Desert on Sunday afternoon.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Country Fire Authority District 17 operations officer Trevor Ebbels said about 114 hectares had burnt since the fires started about 3.15pm Sunday.
“After some lightning went through the Wimmera we got a number of lightning strikes which started three fires on the northern edge of the Little Desert,” he said.
“Those fires were on private property neighbouring the Little Desert.”
He said nine brigades were dispatched to respond to the fires as well as resources from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and Parks Victoria.
Two fire bombers also attended the fires.
Mr Ebbels said the fires were under control.
He said they would be contained by mid-afternoon but would continue to smoulder for some time.
Mr Ebbels said the fires were an indication of a tough fire season ahead.
“When we get ignition from lightning instantaneously it is an indication of how dry it is out there,” he said.
Mr Ebbels said because of the dry conditions, District 17 brigades would replace any water they take for fires this season.
“Water for firefighting is scarce in some areas, especially in West Wimmera Shire where they are not covered by the pipeline,” he said.
“In the past land owners have been quite generous.
“We’ll be extremely vigilant and any water we take from private water sources will be replaced.
“It may take a few days or a week but we will replace what we take.”
