TWO fires at Lake Mundi at the weekend were stopped in their tracks thanks – once again – to massive co-operative efforts from private, corporate and emergency services groups.


Farmer Kevin Stark said Friday’s blaze began on his property on the Casterton-Penola Road, around lunchtime.


“It started from a truck, I believe, it had a flat tyre and must have been throwing some sparks,” he said.


“It started three fires in about a one-and-a-half or two kilometre stretch of road,” he said.


“The fire on Saturday, it was spotted by a passerby who called in to tell us.


“We think it got started by a solar powered bore pump, which is a bit of a worry, because we’re all putting them in.”


Mr Stark said the hot and windy conditions on both days could have had disastrous results, but the co-operative effort in containing and fighting both blazes, prevented them from threatening property and lives.


“We were out on the Lake Mundi truck watching the (Friday fire) for hotspots, when we were told about the Saturday one,” he said.


“It was called in and there would have been about 15 or 16 appliances turn-out and they’re from everyone … private, timber companies, the CFA, department, water bombers, helicopter … I do not want to name names because I know I’ll miss someone.


“The fire did not burn a big area, we were really lucky it got stopped because it was headed for the State forest and once it gets in there, it can burn for days.


“It was stopped because of that big effort from everyone, it’s a wonderful response and we’re very appreciative, very lucky to have it.”


Greenwald also – again – saw the benefit of co-operative fire-fighting efforts last week, after crews pulled up a blaze “a few feet” from a house.


Dartmoor CFA Group Captain, Neale Emerson said the fire started from a machinery spark.


“A farmer was working with machinery, it sparked and started the fire and while he did all the right things, had the water unit on hand and everything that he should have, the unit would not start at the critical moment,” Grp Capt Emerson said.


“He called Triple-Zero and when I called for assistance, I got a lot more than I asked for.”


Units from seven local volunteer fire brigades, private landowners, companies HVP, GTFP, One Forty One and PF Olsen, as well as Forest Fire Management Victoria and the Green Triangle Fire Alliance, with aerial support, brought the fire under control – again before property or lives could be threatened.


“It was burning in all directions because of the conditions … it burned about 20 acres and there was a home threatened – it burned within a few feet of a house,” Grp Capt Emerson said.


“But now we’re getting, seeing such a wide-ranging and quick response from everyone, working together to get the job done, they just come from everywhere and the community is a lot safer, because of it.”


Thumbs-Up


THE Stark family and Lake Mundi community send their thanks to everyone who turned out to help fight fires at the weekend.


The co-operative effort prevented any loss of life or property and they are extremely grateful.


NEVILLE Roy also sends Thumbs-Up to the CFA and volunteers who extinguished a fire at his property.