CFA
“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.
CFA
+1
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.
CFA
+1
“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.
CFA
+1
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.”
CFA
+1
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.
CFA
+1
“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.”
CFA
+1
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.
CFA
+2
“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.
CFA
+1
“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.
CFA
+4
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.
CFA
+1
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.
CFA
+2
What to do with your horses if a bushfire starts in western Victoria
Having a plan in place well in advance is the best way to reduce risk to your animals.
CFA
+1
Fire restrictions locked in as West Vic’s summer fire risk climbs
Authorities say the region’s spring rain is unlikely to offset the predicted heat.
CFA
+1
Crews still battling 1,900-hectare blaze through Mount Richmond bushland
The fire was ignited by a lightning strike, and dozens of firefighters are facing wet conditions on the ground.
CFA
+1
When the pager sounds, these young Western Victorians drop everything and prepare to face the fire
“If everyone thinks someone else will go, then no one goes. I’m proud that I push myself to show up.”
Profiles
+1
New CFA Apostles brigade prepares to “put the wet stuff on the red stuff” over summer
With above-normal fire danger forecast, shrinking brigades across south west Victoria have merged to cut administration overlaps.
CFA
+2
When spring turns to summer, a lack of rain could leave West Vic exposed
“The more fuel available, the hotter and more intense a bushfire can become and the faster it can spread.”
CFA
+1
Meet the North Hamilton Fire Brigade’s first-ever female lieutenant
The single mum, student nurse and business owner is confident if she can do it, so can other women.
CFA
+1
$30M CFA grants raise eyebrows amid rural levy anger
As the state government doubles volunteer equipment grants to $30 million, some working for rural CFA brigades say it may be an attempt to quiet frustration.
CFA
+1
