Fires rage after wild weather

AS temperatures soared on Friday, CFA brigades throughout Bass Coast and South Gippsland were inundated with call outs.

Ventnor was the scene of an intense grass and scrub fire, with 20 CFA units responding near Justice Road Estate at around 5:07pm.

Air appliances were called to the scene. 

Victoria Police were notified to attend the scene for traffic control, and protection was placed on a farm shed. 

The incident was ‘deemed’ safe at 7:20pm.

CFA also responded to numerous fires in West and South Gippsland and the Strzelecki Ranges, which were started by lightning strikes.

The extent of the fires stretched from Heath Hill through to Mirboo North Regions.

Other incidents last Friday included:

• Two CFA units from Leongatha South responded to a grass fire in Leongatha South at around 8:04am (Friday, February 17). Crews discovered the one tree was ablaze but not spreading. Incident was deemed under control at 8:23am. Incident was deemed safe at 8:27am. Crews remained on scene to assess the tree. 

• Three CFA units from Leongatha and Koonwarra responded to a grass and scrub fire in Leongatha South at around 8:56am. Crews discovered the fire ignited from a tree being hit by lightning. Incident was deemed under control at 9:14am. Crews remained on scene to mop up and black out. 

• Berrys Creek: Four CFA units from Leongatha, Berrys Creek and Mirboo North responded to a grass and scrub fire spreading on Strzelecki Highway in Berrys Creek at around 12:42pm. The fire spanned approx. 1ha. Incident was deemed under control at 1:36pm.