Bushfires started by lightning strikes in Monbulk had Dandenong Ranges CFA crews in tough fight
High winds and travelling embers hampered firefighters’ efforts during three blazes in the Dandenong Ranges, but a CFA captain warns it could have been worse. VIDEO: Watch crews battle the fires.
Outer East
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Lightning strikes are to blame for three fires that started in Monbulk on our hottest November day since 1894.
It was all hands on deck for CFA and Forest Fire Management crews, who came from across the Dandenong Ranges to help fight the blazes.
Across the state firefighters battled more than 150 bushfires with more than 2000 firefighters, 300 trucks and 33 aircraft fighting blazes in what was described as an “extraordinary weather day”.
CFA crews from District 13 — the area that covers the Yarra Ranges, Knox, Maroondah and Manningham — were supporting crews in northern Victoria who were facing even worse conditions.
Monbulk CFA captain Simon Schroder said firefighters had to contend with winds of between 80 and 100km/h yesterday afternoon.
“Had the grass been dryer it would have been a lot worse,” Mr Schroder said.
“I think it even took us by surprise.
“We’re still very green and wet out here so it shows you with a bit of wind behind the fire even what green fuel can do.”
Mr Schroder said the first fire started at the Silvan dam about 3.20pm yesterday, covering about 2ha, which was handled by Forest Fire Management Victoria crews.
“We had a run of lightning strikes throughout town in quick succession,” he said.
“It was lightening without rain, which is bad.”
Five minutes later another strike ignited grass on Carcoola Rd, but crews managed to keep it within a 50sq m area.
“It was troublesome because it kept spotting in the gully and had make sure it was 100 per cent out,” Mr Schroder said.
He said the biggest fire — 1.4ha — was on Rankins Rd, caused by another lightning strike.
Mr Schroder said 15 CFA trucks from Clematis, Menzies Creek, Selby, Kallista Monbulk, Silvan, Olinda and Belgrave, a Forest Fire Management bulldozer, and two helicopters were on scene from 3.30pm to after midnight.
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“Crews are back on scene today blacking out,” Mr Schroder said.
“It started in the gully on Rankins Rd and crews had to defend half a dozen private properties.”
He said the wind blew embers which caused a spot fire 200m ahead of the main fire on the nature strip outside Monbulk College on David Hill Rd.