General News
22 July, 2025
Kayla Turner's first Mallee fire season
A newcomer, Kayla Turner, who moved to Rainbow in November 2024, has wrapped her first season as a seasonal firefighter in the Mallee region.
Originally from the Mornington Peninsula, Ms Turner made the 260-kilometre move to join the firefighting crew in Rainbow.
For the crew based in this small town of Mallee, most of the work took place in the vast Big Desert.
Ms Turner and her team spend days maintaining State Forests by clearing firebreaks, managing campgrounds, and controlling pests.
She and her team did all the outdoor recovery work while immersing themselves in nature.
“While on task force, being away from loved ones can be challenging, but the rewards nature of the job shines through,” she said.
This past summer, Ms Turner was deployed at the Grampians and Little Desert fires.
“My work included vital tasks like backburning to slow fire spread, checking on properties, and patrolling fire lines,” Ms Turner said.
She was then involved in extinguishing embers and logs to prevent reignition and undertaking hazardous tree work to ensure public safety in reopened parks, once the immediate threat had dispersed.
After the weather cools down, Ms Turner shifted focus to planned burning, which is a crucial preventative measure to reduce future fire risk.
She shared her most memorable moments from a career-defining night shift at the Grampians fires.
“Driving uphill to get a better view of the fire front as the sun rose over the iconic Grampians rocky outcrops was a very surreal feeling,” she said.
“Witnessing the fire calmly burning through leaf litter was a profound experience.”
Ms Turner’s advice is just simple and encouraging for the women considering a firefighting career.
“You truly won’t know if it’s for you until you try, and as a seasonal role, there’s little to lose,” she said.
“Just go for it.”
Ms Turner holds a degree in Wildlife and Conservation Biology, along with certifications in chainsaw operation, traffic management, and the safe use of chemicals.
Ms Turner has made a strong foundation in the town in a very short time.
“Working in Rainbow offers the unique benefits of working in a small depot and team, fostering strong connections with colleagues,” she said.
“The welcoming nature of the town and community has made the transition smooth, adding another layer of enjoyment to a career dedicated to protecting Victoria’s natural landscapes.”
