Local brigades in the hot seat

The Elvis water bomber helped fight the fire at Wallan on Monday. Photo: Chris Fleming

CFA crews from across the Macedon Ranges were called into action on Monday to fight a fast moving grassfire of about 50 hectares at Wallan.
Crews from Kyneton, Tylden, Gisborne, Riddells Creek, Mount Macedon, Lancefield and Darraweit Guim battled the fire which began on Old Sydney Road on the outskirts of Wallan. 
There were fears the blaze could threaten homes in the township but the seven firefighting strike teams and three aircraft in attendance were successfully able to bring the fire under control before it reached the town. 
Kyneton Fire Brigade 1st Lieutenant John Pearce led a strike team consisting of crews from Kyneton, Tylden, Riddells Creek, Mount Macedon and Gisborne which battled the fire from about 4pm through to 9pm.
"We were working towards the head of the fire, on the north flank trying to save a couple of houses which fortunately we were able to do so," Pearce said.
"We then spent the remaining time mopping up in preparation for Thursday which is estimated to be a day of extreme fire danger," he said.
BOLINDA FIRE
A fire in Bolinda spread to about 100 hectares on Tuesday.
More than 25 tankers and two water bombing helicopters attended to the blaze which was called in at 2.20pm.
Brigades at the scene included Riddells Creek, Romsey, Clarkefield, Gisborne, and a strike team of Macedon, Hesket, Newham, Woodend and Bullengarook. A number of units from nearby shires were also called in.
"It was a fully engulfed, running grass fire," Riddells Creek 1st Lieutenant Martin Leitch said.
"The first response was it was pretty hairy, obviously the flames were pretty high.
"One of the challenges they had was that there were quite a number of fences because it was running through two horse properties."
Romsey Deputy Group Officer Allen Beaton was proud of the fire fighters' work.
"They did a great job. The biggest problem we had is that it's all stone country here it's just horrendous driving through here, everywhere you drive it walking pace," DGO Beaton said.
"The fire fight was really good, they did a great job.
"We didn't have any stock losses, they were all protected. We just lost some hay bails and a small out shed, and of course fencing."
The blaze was under control by about 5pm.
Fire crews were blacking out on Wednesday, and remained on scene yesterday to monitor, with extreme temperatures bringing about high fire risk.
Police are investigating the cause of the fire.