Farm burn-off threatens to escape near Cape Paterson

CAPE Paterson farmers were concerned to hear the sirens of local CFA brigades after they were called to a farm burn-off, that was threatening to get away into coastal bush, heath and grassland near Cape Paterson-Inverloch Road at about 10.30am on Thursday, November 23.

Smoke and flames were clearly visible from a burn off on private property, between Fulton Road and Marine Park Drive, about 1km east of the Cape Paterson township.

Crews from Wonthaggi, Inverloch and Cape Paterson turned out, however, while an area of grass had been burnt around the fire, it was mainly a monitoring role for firefighters, some of whom were turned back after assessing the scene.

Locals expressed concern about the potential for the fire to ignite hard to extinguish heathland and coastal bush, but given that the ground in the area is still damp, weren’t concerned about the potential for the fire to spread.

While fire restrictions have already been introduced in many municipalities across the state, none are currently in force in Bass Coast.

Similarly, there are no fire restrictions presently in force in South Gippsland.