Local firefighting crews were busy bringing a Barongarook grass fire under control yesterday, with the cause still yet-to-be-determined.
The fire took hold in the area just before noon, about three and a half kilometres north-east of Kawarren.
It travelled from the corner of Lodge Road and Wares Road in a southerly direction, before changing to an easterly direction.
Forest Fire Management Victoria confirmed the fire was under investigation when the Herald went to print yesterday.
Emergency ‘leave now’ warnings were issued to the Barongarook, Kawarren, Gerangamete and Forrest areas throughout the afternoon.
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Where To BuyMeanwhile, Barwon Downs, Birregurra, Yeodene and Yeo also received ‘watch and act’ warnings.
The flames reportedly reached a height of up to three metres in the early stages, running up trees with warnings of possible spotting.
A strike team was deployed to suppress the fire perimeter, with bulldozers and aircraft operating in the area.
CFA District Six assistant chief fire officer Craig Brittain said the region was currently in “a cycle”.
“The Bureau of Metrology said we’re going to have a bit of a lull over the weekend, but summer is going to come back to us,” he said.
“We urge our community not to be complacent, the summer is definitely not over, we’re going to get some more hot and dry weather coming soon.
“We just need to be viligant, maintain our awareness of the conditions that we are living in and the dryness of our area.”
Traffic management points were in place at multiple intersections in the district, with a drop-in centre located at the Colac Otway Performing Arts and Cultural Centre.
A Total Fire Ban Day was declared for the south-west district yesterday, with high heat and winds causing concerning fire weather.
A Total Fire Ban means no fire can be lit in the open air or are allowed to remain alight from 12.01am to 11.59pm on the day of the Total Fire Ban.
Craig thanked the firefighting crews who responded to the blaze.
“Our volunteers left their workplaces and homes to respond to this job, as they do with any of our jobs, and CFA is very grateful to our volunteer cohort.”
