Tuesday, 28 February, 2023
Lilydale
War memorial vandalised in mindless act
Lilydale Rotary looks to expand to the Hills
Inspiro joins push for health recognition
Leila Fraser celebrates 100 years with spirit
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A Star News Group Publication
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Strike team aids By Mikayla Van Loon As a large grassfire was breaking out in Flowerdale on Tuesday afternoon, CFA crew members from Mooroolbark and Wonga Park were gearing up to respond. With the call out going to strike team 1378, the initial response saw four members from each brigade deployed, assisting on the ground, into the night. Mooroolbark CFA spokesperson Phil Cuthbert said members had linked up with other brigades, like those from the Maroondah group, to form a larger strike team to work on asset protection. “They were heavily involved in some asset protection of between six to eight homes, so working through the night, basically protecting houses, sheds, farming equipment and so forth,” he said. “They’ve been working hard. The fire was moving a bit in the evening as well, which is a bit unusual.” Normally fires would calm significantly during the night because of added moisture in the air but Tuesday night’s conditions meant firefighters were working harder than would usually be expected. “It certainly wasn’t as strong as it was during the day, that’s for sure but being in grassland and scrub land, it was still moving reasonably well in the evening,” Mr Cuthbert said. Reports from firefighters on the ground suggested that while the fire started as a low lying grassfire it has spread further upwards to scrub and bushland, as well as potentially into pine areas. With the fire reaching close to 800 hectares
Mooroolbark’s tanker sits on the edge of the blaze as firefighters battle it throughout the night. of land, more than 100 firefighters had been deployed by Thursday 23 February, along with six helicopters supporting from the air. Wonga Park CFA captain Aaron Farr said his
brigade members have assisted in a number of tasks including backburning, firefighting and welfare checks but primarily the brigade’s specialist appliance was needed in Flowerdale.
Mooroolbark CFA have been on the ground in Flowerdale as water bombers attack the fire from the air. Pictures: MOOROOLBARK CFA “It’s a specialist appliance called a ‘big fill’ and it’s ultimately used to fill other vehicles with water,” he said. Continued page 7
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