Refuelling at Gisborne

 Helitacks refuel at Dixon Field, Gisborne, on Monday night. Photo: Chris Fleming

Waterbombing helicopters refuelled at Gisborne on Monday evening - an event not seen in town for about 15 years.

A crowd of about 50 people watched on at Dixon Field as 10-12 helitacks came and went, some twice, between 5pm and 8.30pm.

The helicopters were refuelling at the site to attend to the Epping and Donnybrook fires.

"They would work and then come back for rapid refuelling, which is when the engine is still running, then they were sent away to work again," Gisborne CFA captain, Sam Strang explained. 

The Department of Sustainability and Environment coordinated the refuelling as the responsible body for the State Aircraft Unit Victoria.

Two aviation fuel trucks provided the fuel.

A Gisborne CFA unit was on site to provide "fire coverage" during hot refuelling which poses a fire risk.

Gisborne SES also attended.

"It was rather exciting. It was very interesting, and it was good that we could help out in some way," Capt. Strang said.

Six helitacks stayed overnight with a view to deploying again on Tuesday. Unfortunately most were struck on site for a further one to two days due to cloud cover and unclear visibility.

Capt. Strang said it was very unusual to host a helitack refuelling operation at Gisborne. 

He recalls the last one occurring during a fire at the Macedon pine plantation in the 1990s.

Fire danger real

Daily Macedon Ranges temperature highs are expected to remain in the 30s until Tuesday.

Extreme weather conditions expected to reach a peak high today pose a severe fire danger in country Victoria.
Yesterday began the heat wave, so far predicted to keep daily Macedon Ranges temperature highs in the 30s until Tuesday.
Fire authorities are on stand-by for severe fire danger as the heat and dry conditions lift the Fire Danger Ratings across Victoria.
"We are looking at Fire Danger Ratings of 'severe' in most parts of the state on Friday with an 'extreme' rating in the south-west," CFA chief officer, Euan Ferguson said.
"The grassland is 100 per cent cured. The north, west and south-west of Victoria are a concern where it has been dry for an extended period of time. Conditions are primed for fast-moving grassfires.
"On a day like (today), if a fire starts and initial attack is unsuccessful and the fire takes hold, it will be uncontrollable and fast-moving. Spot fires will start that will move quickly.
"What this means is that people should consider leaving high-risk bushfire areas early in the day as the safest option. People should also revisit their bushfire survival plans."
Fire authorities are concerned people are still not listening to warnings about having campfires and using machinery during hot, dry weather.
DSE chief fire officer, Alan Goodwin, said over the Christmas period crews have attended almost 20 fires that were started by campfires.
MFB acting chief officer, Peter Rau, said people who normally reside in the metropolitan area but are on holidays elsewhere in the state, must understand that a grass or bushfire could impact their safety and it is vital to be aware of your local conditions.
"Even if you are in an urban area, you could still be impacted by fire. All Victorians must understand they are at risk from fire regardless of their location and check conditions by tuning into local radio stations and using the FireReady app," he said.
Mr Ferguson said there had also been a number of fires sparked by machinery in paddocks as harvesting continues or people conducting burn-offs on private land.
"We are asking people if they have a conducted burn-off in the past month to check it again before Friday to make sure it is extinguished properly. With a gust of strong wind, a burn-off can flare up and quickly turn into a fast-moving fire.
"If you are conducting farm work such as harvesting, make sure you always carry an extinguisher or knapsack and where possible, complete the work early in the morning," he said.
The Department of Health warns all Victorians that the forecast heat wave conditions for today can cause illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke - which can be fatal. The most important things to remember are to keep cool, drink plenty of water, stay out of the sun and look after yourself and others, especially the elderly and very young.