Fire crews are battling more dangerous weather conditions this week following a grassfire that spread from South Australia into Victoria on New Year's Eve, which destroyed several thousands of head of livestock and $10 million worth of timber plantations.
Helicopters and fixed-wing bombers were called in to fight the blaze which started at Wrattonbully on the SA border on Friday afternoon, when a car caught fire and set grass alight.
SA and Victorian fire crews had battled the fire since it started, supported by aircraft and heavy machinery, and continue to work on building containment lines to stop further spread of the fire.
Emergency warnings were at watch and act level for Edenhope in the Wimmera on Saturday, while residents of the small farming communities of Langkoop, Poolajielo and Powers Creek were advised to leave.
Crews worked on containment lines on the fire's eastern boundary on Sunday afternoon when the emergency services downgraded the alert level as the threat to private property eased.
Green Triangle Fire Alliance manager Anthony Walsh said local timber plantations had been ravaged with about 800 hectares burnt, valued in excess of $10 million.
Forest Industry Brigades currently have 16 appliances, a helitak and 40 firefighters at the fire, working alongside FFMV and CFA firefighters.
CFA incident controller Mark Gunning said no losses of homes had been reported, however, there was livestock and wildlife losses throughout the area.
Wildlife officers were deployed to assess losses after an area of old native forest had been burnt, which was famous for its red tail cockatoos.
The fire has also affected community infrastructure, with Powercor crews working to re-establish power to about 70 properties in the area.
CFA crews are ensuring that a gas pipeline running underground through the area is not affected by fires burning in the vicinity of the line.
CFA have warned local residents of potential contamination of water tanks due to debris and ash from the fire.
Prior to any rain, residents should disconnect tanks from roof lines and allow the first rain to flush out debris from the roof onto the ground and not into the tank, the CFA advised.
Incident Controller Mark Gunning said weather conditions over the next few days would see fire crews re-enforcing established containment lines.
"The fire is still very active in the area, and we ask the community to stay informed via the VicEmergency app which will provide you with up-to-date information about the fire and support your decision-making in respect to you and your family's actions," he said.
Annabelle Cleeland
Annabelle Cleeland is a Stock & Land journalist. She has worked at Australian Community Media for more than a decade serving in a number of roles including editor, senior journalist and national sheep & wool writer. She runs a fine Merino wool property with her young family in North-East Victoria.
Annabelle Cleeland is a Stock & Land journalist. She has worked at Australian Community Media for more than a decade serving in a number of roles including editor, senior journalist and national sheep & wool writer. She runs a fine Merino wool property with her young family in North-East Victoria.
