Threat averted

Firefighters mop up after bringing a bushfire at Pipers Creek under control.

Angela Crawford

The well coordinated efforts of local fire brigades prevented a bushfire at Pipers Creek from escaping out of control in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Firefighters were called to the bushfire between Balls Lane and Three Chain Road at about 4am.
The nature of the terrain and lots of fallen timber in the bush made it difficult for vehicles to gain access, and a shire council bulldozer was called in to cut a line around the fire as a firebreak and access path.
The fire spread across five hectares and took about two and a half hours to control.
Twenty units from Calrsruhe, Kyneton, Pastoria, Benloch, Malmsbury, Tylden, Spring Hill, Metcalfe, Lancefield, Hesket-Kerrie, Woodend and Newham brought the fire under control and continued mopping up until midday.
Three brigades continued to patrol throughout the day and further patrols were conducted on Wednesday and Thursday morning.
Kyneton group officer, John Pearce, said he was very happy with the effort of all involved.
"They did an excellent job under very trying conditions," he said.
The cause of the fire is being investigated but is suspected to have resulted from the reignition of a burnoff conducted some time earlier.