By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
Firefighters were called to a private property on Old Emerald Road in Monbulk on Thursday 21 November after a controlled burn-off spread to nearby trees.
Monbulk CFA captain Glenn Hickingbotham said the property owner had followed all the necessary safety measures, including clearing around the burn pile, having water supplies and tools on hand, and registering the burn as required.
“The weather conditions was suitable for the burn-off at the time, but an ember from the fire flew up into a stringy bark tree, which ignited easily and this caused a small fire to spread into the trees,” Mr Hickingbotham said.
The Monbulk CFA quickly responded, along with Emerald CFA crews – the situation was under control within 10 minutes of their arrival.
Although the fire had spread in the trees, it did not pose a serious threat and the team remained on-site for about 30 minutes to ensure the fire was fully extinguished and there was no risk of it reigniting.
Mr Hickingbotham said the property owner was praised for their quick response and for calling for help when the fire began to spread.
“After we brought the fire under control, the owners were very appreciative and even offered us icy poles to cool off,” he said.
The captain said while the property owner had done everything right, the fire still spread because of the ember that caught in the trees.
“This is a great reminder that even when all safety measures are followed, fire can still be unpredictable,” he said.
This incident serves as an important reminder that while burn-offs are a common method for clearing land, they can be risky.
Mr Hickingbotham strongly emphasised that burn-offs should never be left unattended and that property owners must have the right tools and water supply available when conducting a registered burn-off.
They also must ensure that weather conditions, especially wind speeds, are safe for burning – wind gusts above 10-15 km/h can make burning unsafe.
As the fire danger period approaches, likely to be early December, residents will need to apply for a burn-off permit – without a permit, local police will investigate, and enforcement will be carried out.
Mr Hickingbotham is reminding the public to follow the guidelines to avoid any legal consequences.
Fortunately, there was no damage to the property or injuries to anyone.
The quick action of the fire crews and the property owner prevented the situation from becoming more dangerous.
The CFA thanked the community for their cooperation and reminded everyone to remain vigilant as we head into the fire season.
“Being prepared and following the right steps can make all the difference,” he said.
