By JESSE GRAHAM
THREE volunteer fire brigade crews were called out to a burn off on an extremely windy day in Healesville, with firefighters working for more than three hours to extinguish unattended flames.
Healesville, Coldstream and Yarra Glen CFA crews were all called out to an unattended burn off on Argoon Lane, opposite the Healesville SES depot, at 3pm on Wednesday 16 October.
Healesville CFA Captain Graeme Bates said the burn off did not pose a threat to the surrounding area but that a Yarra Ranges Council bylaws officer had called the CFA due to extreme winds.
“As far as the fire brigade was concerned, it wasn’t an issue, because it’s so green and damp – it wasn’t going to spread,” he said.
“But it’s shire law.”
Mr Bates said that burn-offs are not allowed to occur on days with wind-speeds over 15 kilometres per hour, and the winds on the day were extreme.
He said there was also a great deal of smoke from the burn off, which was a considerable size, and that the fire was left unattended.
The crews worked for three hours to extinguish the fires at the site, leaving at about 6.15pm.
Mr Bates said that burn offs and fires must be attended at all times and extinguished when finished.
“As soon as they go, something always seems to happen,” he said.
“Have some caution and think of others,” he said.
He encouraged anyone considering burning off to check conditions and restrictions online at www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au, and to be aware of fire restriction periods, which have yet to be announced for the Yarra Ranges.
