the february 2009 fires - 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission

The February 2009 Fires
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1.143 At 15:11 a fire at Coliban Park Road, Redesdale was reported to the CFA. As the point of origin was on
private land, the CFA was identified as the control agency, although responsibility passed to DSE when the
fire was burning on public land after 7 February. 380 The ICC was located at Huntly, Bendigo, which was the
ICC for the Maiden Gully fire. 381
1.144 At 15:11 5 local brigades were paged. At this time no aircraft were available for this incident. Two strike
teams were activated at 15:30. 382 The fire burned through undulating grassland and scrub fuels and grazing
country with steep gullies and washaways. 383 It burnt in a south-easterly direction and crossed the Metcalfe–
Redesdale Road at 15:27 and the Kyneton–Heathcote Road at 15:42. At 16:49 Victoria Police was advised
to close Watchbox Road to traffic. Further road closures followed. 384
1.145 Direct attack on this fire was made wherever possible. However, due to the terrain, dozers and other
equipment were needed to secure the fire edge. The speed of this fire was so rapid that there was concern
that the fire might reach the Cobaw Ranges or further beyond to the communities of Lancefield and
Carlsruhe. This did not eventuate. 385
1.146 At approximately 18:30 the wind change reached the fire. Approximately two-thirds of the eastern flank of
the fire was secured. The remaining eastern flank that did break away was in rough steep-gullied country.
This part of the fire was progressively contained. 386
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1.147 Over the next few days firefighters continued to secure the fire. This involved the strategic redeployment
of resources between this fire and the nearby Maiden Gully fire. The fire was listed as contained at 09:56
on 10 February. 388
Warnings
1.148 At 16:13 an urgent threat message was posted on the CFA website for the communities of Barfold, Langley
and Metcalfe East. At 16:47 a revised alert message was posted for the communities of Sidonia, Pastoria,
and other communities to the east of Kyneton. 389
1.149 As the fire progressed, urgent threat messages were updated, advising ‘the communities of Pipers Creek,
Carlsruhe, Woodend North, Newham, Cadello and Carbow [sic]’ to be alert and implement their fire plans.
The messages advised that when the wind change arrived the fire would run in a north-easterly direction.
Residents in Redesdale, Glenhope, Baynton and Baynton East, and residents in the areas between
Glenhope, Baynton, Redesdale, Heathcote, Tooborac and Pyalong, were advised that they might also
be under threat when the wind change passed through.’ 390
1.150 Threat messages were downgraded to alert status on 8 February, as the fire was controlled. Further urgent
threat messages were issued when the fire again threatened communities on 9 February. 391
Narre Warren
392
1.151 The Commission has not yet taken evidence on the Narre Warren Fire that began at 15:32.
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