CFA
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Parking fines imminent?
Parking fines look imminent for residents of a Kyneton housing estate who say they have no other option than to park on their naturestrips. Parking officers last week resumed full patrols and the issuing of fines in Macedon Ranges following scaled back activity from April. The move comes as COVID-19 restrictions ease and visitors return…
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Out-of-control burn-offs prompt warning
CFA is urging Victorians to take extreme care when burning off after responding to several escaped private burn-offs across areas of the state yesterday. Deputy chief officer Gregg Paterson said there were some simple steps Victorians could take to keep their burn-offs safe. “We encourage residents to clean up their properties before fire danger periods…
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CFA friendships are like no other
Word of mouth inspired Joel Wood to join Gisborne Fire Brigade in 2006 and he hasn’t looked back, growing from the youngest member to being a strong mentor for the fresh faces at the brigade. Country Fire Authority volunteers across Victoria are acknowledging the close bonds they’ve formed as brigade members to celebrate International Day…
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Unrest as new chapter opens
Tomorrow July 1 marks a historic day as the Country Fire Authority’s ‘integrated’ metro and regional stations and Metropolitan Fire Brigade merge to become new service Fire Rescue Victoria. The controversial move led by the state government comes after years of bitter disputes about the proposal between the government, the United Firefighters Union, volunteers association…
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Fierce forest fire
A thick layer of smoke has blanketed parts of the Macedon Ranges after lightning sparked a fierce blaze in the Cobaw Forest near Pipers Creek about 4pm Sunday. About 40 CFA, Forest Fire Management and Parks Victoria crews attacked the firefront that threatened farming properties. Emergency warning alerts were issued as winds spread embers over…
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Tackling the ‘wildfire gateway’
Malmsbury Common has long been regarded as a neglected piece of land. Large areas of gorse, non-native grasses and a northerly aspect effectively made it the town’s high-risk ‘wildfire gateway’. The repatriation of the common has been a long-term project championed by the local landcare group and in recent times Macedon Ranges Council has added…
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Reckless ignorance
Local fire brigades were left in disbelief when they discovered a group of campers in the Wombat State Forest had lit a potentially disastrous campfire last Friday afternoon. Woodend, Macedon and Mount Macedon Fire Brigades were called out to a smoke sighting about 4.13pm, spotted by the Mount Macedon fire tower. Woodend captain Mike Dornau…
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Locals join fire fight
Local firies joined the fight at Bunyip State Park and Gippsland firegrounds last week. A Macedon Ranges strike team with firefighters from across the district was in force, as well as crews from Harcourt and Campbells Creek and CFA members from Castlemaine and Newstead. The strike team comprised members from the Coliban and Mountain brigade…
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Honouring a legend
Bobby Adams joined his local brigade to fight fires when he was just 14 years old. Today at 95 he still takes a big interest in his home brigade, Newham, nearly always making a guest appearance at its special events and supporting it strongly financially. In fact, the newest four-wheel-drive support vehicle the brigade has…
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CFA exercise in the Cobaws
In recent years, there have been several major fires in the Cobaw Ranges resulting in some serious losses, especially to land and property. On Sunday October 21, the CFA will be conducting their first large exercise for the fire season when they undertake a test of the revised Cobaws Pre-Plan for the initial brigades to…
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Heat over CFA sale move
Local firies are fighting to halt the shock sale of the Romsey Group Headquarters. Group officer Ralph Hermann said the bombshell news had left brigade members baffled as the decision appeared to be made in Melbourne CFA headquarters without proper consultation at a local level. The old courthouse at Stawell Street has served the brigade…