DELWP creates thriving environments and communities
Working tirelessly to bring the fire under control and stop it spending to a nearby pine plantation nearly 60 firefighters from the Country Fire Authority (CFA) and forest industry brigades with support from Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) fought the fire from the ground and the air.
As the fire was pushed by a southerly wind towards a pine plantation a first attack bulldozer and offsider from FFMVic's Dartmoor depot were sent to support the fire fight on the ground while the Casterton airbase was set up with an airbase manger and 4 retardant mixing and loading crew members to support the air attack.
The ground crews were ably supported from the air with over 10 aircraft including single engine airtankers, water bombers, a fixed wing air attach platform and a Type 3 helicopter involved. Landing at the Casterton airfield for refilling, the bombers crews were able to drop 22 loads or 55,000 litres of retardant on the fire to lessen its impact.
Once the fire had been deemed safe and extinguished, the final assessment found that nearly 5 hectares of recently harvested and replanted pine plantation had been affected, however, the amazing work of fire crews and support staff ensured the fire didn't reach the larger plantation nearby.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Barwon South WestAndrew Morrow said it was definitely a case of 'we work as one' to bring the fire under control and then extinguish it before it entered the pine planation.
"This recent fire near Nelson was a fantastic outcome, with a great save with successful initial attack from both air and ground that ensured there was no plantation losses involved,' Andrew said.
'The fire response showed each agency played its part with FFMVic managing the airbase at Casterton, and in fire control line construction, plus in readiness to escalate the incident if needed to an Incident Management Team at the Heywood Incident Control Centre.
'It's great to be able to talk about and recognise the efforts to keep fires small, as the work can be often unnoticed.'
