Community
6 September, 2024
Hedge fire prompts warning
COUNTRY Fire Authority (CFA) units responded to a hedge fire last Friday morning, prompting a warning to avoid burn-offs in the windy conditions.
Three units from Camperdown, Chocolyn and Bookaar responded to the incident on Chocolyn Road, Chocolyn at around 11.30am.
CFA District Six acting assistant chief fire officer Tony Field said fire investigation had not been conducted yet, but embers are believed to have been blown under the hedge during the strong winds on Friday morning.
“It could have been someone having a little bit of a burn-off,” he said.
“We can’t be 100 per cent certain, but it’s the most likely cause.
“Due to the windy conditions, and there is still a bit of dryness prior to the rain we’ve been having, it’s not advisable for people to light fires in the windy conditions even though we’re not in the fire conditions yet.
“The southwest region is very dry at the moment because of lack of rain.”
Mr Field advised residents to take extra care in clearing debris from the wind event of last week and early this week, as well as with burn-offs.
“The lead-up to this summer so far has been quite dry,” he said.
“We’ve been experiencing one of the lowest rainfalls on record in parts of the south west.”