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CFACFA
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“This is ridiculous”: Calls for urgent overhaul of emergency systems after January fires

“This is ridiculous”: Calls for urgent overhaul of emergency systems after January fires

Corangamite council's submission to the state’s parliamentary inquiry warns ageing trucks, communication blackouts and emergency management gaps left fire crews exposed.

Zara Cuthbertson
CFACFA
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Red tape, blackouts and recovery gaps: What went wrong during January’s bushfires?

Red tape, blackouts and recovery gaps: What went wrong during January’s bushfires?

Corangamite Shire Council will make a formal submission to the state’s parliamentary inquiry into Victoria’s extreme conditions at the start of the year.

Zara Cuthbertson
CFACFA
Volunteer firefighter says training gaps are leaving rural brigades exposed during high-risk scenarios

Volunteer firefighter says training gaps are leaving rural brigades exposed during high-risk scenarios

A senior Warrnambool volunteer says some country units complete baseline instruction once, then rarely revisit complex situations.

Zara Cuthbertson
CFACFA
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“At the mercy of mother nature”: Western Victoria braces for more extreme fire conditions

“At the mercy of mother nature”: Western Victoria braces for more extreme fire conditions

The CFA said brigades were already positioned - including in towers - and monitoring conditions.

Zara Cuthbertson
CFACFA
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Beyond the blaze: Why Otways locals fear they’ll be forgotten

Beyond the blaze: Why Otways locals fear they’ll be forgotten

“Impacts often peak months later, when initial support winds down and people are left managing loss and uncertainty.”

Zara Cuthbertson
CFACFA
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Otways bushfire has doubled in size since Saturday to 11,000 hectares, officials say

Otways bushfire has doubled in size since Saturday to 11,000 hectares, officials say

More than 170 vehicles and 390 responders were on the scene as of Tuesday.

Zara Cuthbertson
CFACFA
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“A little goes a long way”: Locals distribute more than 2,000 supply packs to West Vic firefighters and impacted communities

“A little goes a long way”: Locals distribute more than 2,000 supply packs to West Vic firefighters and impacted communities

“The smile on their faces when we drop off grab bags - they’re just so grateful.”

Zara Cuthbertson
CFACFA
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Lending a hand at Gellibrand: Firefighting crews from across West Vic travel to help combat blaze

Lending a hand at Gellibrand: Firefighting crews from across West Vic travel to help combat blaze

Crews from Port Fairy, Wangoom and Nullawarre were among volunteers who jumped on a tanker and grabbed a hose.

Zara Cuthbertson
CFACFA
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“Time to go”: Thousands of Otways locals urged to evacuate as 40-degree weather brings severe fire risks to the region

“Time to go”: Thousands of Otways locals urged to evacuate as 40-degree weather brings severe fire risks to the region

With the Otways still burning weeks after dry lightning first struck, Carlisle River and Gellibrand residents have faced more challenging days of extreme heat and stressful fire conditions.

Zara Cuthbertson
CFACFA
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“A dome of heat” to loom over Victoria as south west faces another total fire ban

“A dome of heat” to loom over Victoria as south west faces another total fire ban

West Vic will face extreme heat and elevated fire danger less than a fortnight after fires and flash floods damaged parts of Victoria’s coast and hinterland.

Zara Cuthbertson
CFACFA
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Unpacking the disasters unfolding in Victoria's west

Unpacking the disasters unfolding in Victoria's west

The West Vic Brolga's Zara Cuthbertson speaks to the National Account about the recent catastrophic fires and floods in Western Victoria.

Zara Cuthbertson
CFACFA
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The aftermath: Tens of thousands of hectares scorched in Western Victoria

The aftermath: Tens of thousands of hectares scorched in Western Victoria

Bushfires at Carlisle River and Kennedys Creek in the Otways remained out of control on Monday afternoon.

Zara Cuthbertson