General News
6 August, 2024
East Greenmount fire a warning sign
A significant team of firefighters was needed to battle a large grassfire which broke out alongside the New England Highway between East Greenmount and Eton Vale on Saturday afternoon.
Authorities received the first call around 4.15pm.
First on the scene were units from the Cambooya Rural Fire Brigade.
As the fire spread across the dry grassland on the western side of the highway, more personnel gathered at the scene, with eventually five units from the Cambooya Rural Brigade and teams from West Pittsworth, Felton, Massie and two urban fire teams fighting the blaze.
Police were called and closed the highway for a time as thick smoke combined with the activity of firefighters posed a possible threat to traffic safety.
The First Officer with Cambooya Rural Fire Brigade, Garry Greer said the fire burnt out an estimated 100 acres before it was extinguished.
He said it took about four hours to control.
The cause of the fire is not known.
Mr Greer said the region is carrying a heavy load of fuel in the form of dry grass as a result of good rain earlier in
the year,a recent extended dry period and a number of severe frosts.
This is setting the scene for a likelihood of numerous grassfires as the season draws near.
Mr Greer said Saturday’s fire started in grass that was about three feet high with a heavy cover across the affected area.
His warning echoes comments earlier from fire authorities who warned landholders across the south and south west of the state to prepare for a serious fire season by eliminating anything that could pose a threat, such as long dry grass around buildings, leaves in household guttering and piles of rubbish.
