IT was a close call for Tahara residents after an out-of-control grassfire threatened the town on Sunday.
Residents were advised to evacuate the area or shelter in place as the blaze travelled in a south-easterly direction on Sunday afternoon.
The fire response was a large, combined effort with resources from the Country Fire Authority (CFA), Forest Fire Management Victoria, Southern Grampians Shire Council, Victoria State Emergency Service, Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria attending the fireground.
Crews tackled the blaze from land and sky with 160 firefighters supported by four water bombers, one helicopter and two large air tankers.
CFA District five commander, Robert Howell said the blaze, which began at about 12.40pm on Dohles road, was caused by a previous fire in the landscape.
Mr Howell said the fire has been investigated and was not considered suspicious but offered a timely reminder to anyone burning-off, that remanence of a blaze can light a fire well after the burn.
“Any burn-offs done a month ago or more can bring a fire to light,” he said.
Sunday’s blaze burned around 310 hectares of steep terrain and left one firefighter with lacerations to the back of their hands.
According to Mr Howell, a couple of sheds and uninhabited houses were also burned in the grassfire.
Dundas Group deputy group officer and incident controller, Duncan Macgugan said crews responded quickly and effectively to the blaze and worked hard to control it.
He said while the blaze was under control, crews continued to mop up and warned the public to steer clear of the affected area for now.
“Members of the public should stay away from the area as work is continuing - felling trees, restoring power infrastructure, repairing fencing, and patrolling the fire edge,” he said.