By JESSE GRAHAM
CATASTROPHE was narrowly avoided this afternoon, when a burn-off in Badger Creek took off and spread into nearby bushland.
The fire began at about 3.20pm this afternoon, when a burn-off in a Pine Avenue paddock spread into grass and got out of control.
After burning extensive amounts of the paddock it was in, the fire spread into trees beside the road, jumped the road, and began to spread into nearby bushland near the Badger Creek Boarding Kennels and Cattery.
The kennel’s staff started sprinkler systems and began to run a fire drill to defend the property and the animals within, though the fire was stopped in its path before it came too close.
Badger Creek and Healesville CFA crews both attended the blaze, which was declared under control about 15 minutes later.
Healesville CFA Captain Graeme Bates said that, while it is a good time of the year to burn off excess vegetation, property owners should not bite off more than they could chew, and should have the means to extinguish their fires if it begins to spread.
The property owner assisted firefighters, using tools to help extinguish parts of the paddock while a fire truck sprayed the area.
Capt Bates said he could not speculate on whether the owner may be fined for the burn-off running out of control.
Healesville police also attended the scene.
The official Fire Danger Period, where burning off of all kinds is prohibited, ended on Monday 23 March.
For the full story, see next week’s Mail.
