By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
A controlled burn got out of hand on Old Macclesfield Rd in Monbulk on Wednesday afternoon, 11 December.
The fire quickly spread across a nature strip, jumped a road, and rapidly advanced through surrounding trees.
Emergency services, including the Monbulk, Macclesfield and Silvan Fire Brigades (CFA), Victoria Police, and Forest Fire Management Victoria, responded swiftly, working tirelessly for several hours to bring the fire under control.
Monbulk CFA captain Glenn Hickingbotham said they received the call at 4.43pm on Wednesday when a landowner’s planned burn quickly got out of hand.
Initially contained to a small area, the fire spread across around an acre of scrub and grass, impacting around 50 trees – the fast-moving blaze raised concerns as it jumped a road and threatened local properties.
“The initial firefight lasted about 15 minutes, but it took several more hours of patrols and blacking out the fire to fully contain it,” Mr Hickingbotham said.
The landowner, who was conducting the burn in accordance with prescribed fire management regulations, was forced to watch as the fire spread beyond their control – fortunately, thanks to a coordinated effort from local brigades, the threat was mitigated.
Monbulk and Macclesfield fire brigades led the response, supported by Silvan CFA and several units from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP).
Firefighters worked tirelessly to prevent the blaze from spreading further, with additional crews called in to remove burning trees that posed a significant risk.
“The fire was contained within 15 minutes, but because of the number of trees involved, crews remained on-site for several more hours, blacking out hot spots and making sure it was safe,” Mr Hickingbotham said.
“DELWP crews were called in to drop dangerous trees that couldn’t be accessed by the fire crews, ensuring the area was fully secured.”
Victoria Police were also present, assisting with managing the scene and ensuring public safety.
The incident has served as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of bushfires, even under relatively calm conditions. Despite a cool day with little wind, the fire spread rapidly and required significant intervention from emergency services.
The Mr Hickingbotham is urging residents to start preparing their properties for the summer fire season.
“This incident shows how quickly a controlled burn can escape. We want to remind everyone to be vigilant and ensure they have a solid bushfire plan in place,” he said.
Fire restrictions for the region are set to come into effect on December 23 at 1am, with no further burning allowed once the fire ban is in place.
Landowners are reminded to register any burn-offs before this date and to follow the prescribed burn size limits.
Additionally, the Mr Hickingbotham recommends that all landowners ensure they have a reliable water supply and do not leave the fire unattended until it is fully extinguished and cold to the touch.
Ember attacks are a significant risk, especially following windy days, which can cause embers to spread beyond control.
“It’s critical that any burn-offs are monitored closely,” he said.
“If it’s safe to do so, never leave a fire until it is completely cold. If we can all take these simple precautions, we can reduce the risk of incidents like this getting out of hand.”
The CFA, local fire brigades, and emergency services will continue to monitor the situation in the coming weeks, as hotter weather and stronger winds pose an ongoing risk during the fire season.
For more information on fire safety and bushfire preparedness, contact your local CFA brigade or visit the Fire Danger Ratings website.
