WOODEND PERFORMS ABOVE PAR!

Yesterday afternoon Woodend CFA was called to a fast-moving grass fire on the Avenue of Honour. On arrival Captain Christie called for “make tankers five” as the fire sped up a hill and also threatened a house. Woodend Tankers 1 and 2, first on scene, raced up the hill to the head of the fire, fighting flames over 1 metre and strong winds, to quickly control the spread of the fire. They were soon joined by tankers from Hesket-Kerrie, Newham, Macedon and Mt Macedon to have the fire under control. The volunteers ensured the house was safe and spent some time ‘blacking out’. The fire spread rapidly in the windy conditions, even though the property owner had slashed the paddocks. It also goes to show that you don’t need to leave in or near the bush to be threatened, with this fire only a short drive from the centre of Woodend, next to the golf course. A fire can start anywhere at any time. The fire was started by a fault on a power pole, which was quickly repaired by Powercor. Thanks to Chris for the photo from the Mt Macedon tower.