A car which came into contact with long grass was the ignition point of a grassfire which burnt 40 hectares and destroyed a shed in Clarkefield yesterday.
Approximately 40 trucks were called to contain the blaze which broke out at Konagaderra Road in Clarkefield at 11.15am on Wednesday, January 19.
Dealing with the difficult terrain of creeks, gullies and rocks, emergency services volunteers contained the fire at around 1pm.
CFA Loddon Mallee regional commander Bill Johnstone said the units were having to contend with an irregular south-easterly wind, which complicated the job.
“Typically we’re responding to fires with north-westerly winds and a south-westerly change,” he said.
“With the winds we had, once the flame started it fanned the fire very quickly.
“The brigades did an astounding job.”
After containing the blaze by establishing a perimeter, Mr Johnstone said the focus of the job became focusing attention on “the fire within the fire”.
In addition to the truck fleet, Bacchus Marsh Fire Brigade provided air assistance with its Chinook aircraft.
The location of the fire resulted in the closure of Melbourne-Lancefield Road until 5pm.
The fire damaged fencing and a large shed on private property. No one was injured.
Mr Johnstone said the fire should serve as a reminder that these incidents can occur even in the most innocuous of circumstances.
“Yesterday was not by any stretch the worst fire weather. In fact, it was at the lower end of the spectrum,” he said.
“It just reinforces how quickly it can start.”
