LIGHTNING STRIKES LEAD TO A LONG NIGHT IN THE COBAW

Just after 6pm last evening, Woodend was called to a lightning strike on Old Lancefield Road. Woodend Captain arrived first on scene followed by Woodend T1, T2 and Pumper and tankers from Carlsruhe and Macedon. Fortunately due to heavy rain nothing was found. Then all hell broke loose for Macedon Ranges brigades as two lightning strikes started significant fires in the Cobaw. Woodend Tanker 1 was called to the first fire just before 8pm and was tasked for asset protection. Just after 9pm Woodend Captain was called to Lead Strike Team 02220 to the same fire along with tankers from Hesket-Kerrie, Newham, Macedon, Mt Macedon and Riddells Creek. ST0220 was tasked to protect a house right on the fire edge, as the fire burned to an area beyond 60 hectares and cast an eerie glow in the night. Woodend T1 was released early in the morning and part of ST0220 arrived home around 3am. Hesket-Kerrie and Newham tankers remained on scene until 7am when they were released and helicopter bombing could commence. In total around 40 vehicles were tasked to the fire, as well as Parks crews with a large dozer to build bare earth breaks. It could have been a lot worse if not contained.