A FIRE at Henty has prompted another plea from the CFA, for farmers, contractors and workers to be wary of weather conditions when operating machinery – regardless of the day’s official fire danger status.

Hot, windy conditions fanned Monday’s blaze, which appeared to have started from a header, harvesting in a paddock.

Casterton, Sandford, Dunrobin and Henty Fire Brigade members were on scene quickly and brought the fire under control within 15 minutes, however CFA District 4 commander, Terry Heafield said the blaze was a warning for others of the potential for serious risk to land, home and lives.

He said the ‘Can I, Can’t I’ list of dos and don’ts on the CFA website should be considered by machinery operators, regardless of the day’s official fire danger status.

“Everybody needs to be vigilant in what they’re doing, make sure their machinery is clean and fit for purpose,” he said.

“This fire was moving and there was definitely the potential for it to be much more serious.”

The Glenelg Shire Fire Danger Period officially began last month and under FDP restrictions, machinery including tractors and slashers that are propelled by a heat engine, cannot be used within nine metres of any vegetation, including crops, unless it conforms to strict conditions.

These included being fitted with a spark arrester in working order, a turbocharger or exhaust aspirated air cleaner and carrying fire suppression equipment comprising either at least one knapsack spray pump, or at least one water fire extinguisher; both must be in working order and fully charged.

Commander Heafield said hotter weather predicted for later this week indicated a “spike” weekend for fire services and he pleaded with all residents – both in town and on the land – to check the CFA’s website for the ‘Can I, Can’t I?’ rules and be vigilant under increased fire risk conditions.

For more information visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au.

Heating up for New Year

HIGH 30s and low 40s temperatures was the word from the Bureau of Meteorology heading into the new year, with the rise in temperatures expected to start on Thursday and continue through to Sunday.

A top of 36 degrees and overnight low of nine will start the heat spell in the South-West on Thursday, with winds up to 25 kilometres per hour in the middle of the day.

Friday will see temperatures bump up to as high as 39 and winds increasing to 35km/h north-westerlies in the morning, before shifting to south-westerly 20 to 30km/h, during the day.

Some cloud cover and easing winds will see in the first day of 2022, with overnight temperatures falling to between 12 and 17 and daytime temperatures reaching 37 degrees in some parts.

VicEmergency is asking all residents to look out for those vulnerable in our community, including elderly neighbours and relatives, as well as pets.