Bushfires remind us to heed CFA advice

by SUSAN FOREMAN
10th February 2025

THE RECENT fires across the state, including the Grampians and the Bass Coast are a timely reminder to Warrandyte residents to take bushfire seriously.

Locally, firefighters had a great save when 35 crews and aircraft turned out to get a fire in Christmas Hills under control.

The fire had started from sparks from a grinder.

Crews from all over the area worked well into the night and spent the following days making sure that it had been fully extinguished and would not spread any further.

Research CFA reminded residents via social media to be vigilent:

“It’s a good eye-opener to how dry the fuels are at the moment, even late in the day on a day that wasn’t too hot or windy, fires can easily start and take off out of control!”

Over on the Bass Coast, a Gurdies local had a close escape as he watched the fire arrive at his doorstep.

He is urging everyone to listen to the advice of authorities and leave early when it comes to bushfires.

Glenn Skrobalak was at his home in the Gurdies on December 20, 2024, when, what was a small bushfire, started to unexpectedly intensify and head towards his home and property following a south-westerly wind change.

People were advised to evacuate the area, but despite having a bag packed ready to go, Glenn decided to stay – a decision he says he now regrets.

“My initial thought was to stay and defend the property and I probably regret that now.

“Seeing how severe it was and how fast it came I don’t think I would be doing that again,” Glenn said

“I thought I was well and truly capable having been in other high-pressure situations and handled them well, but this was totally different.

“I was just exhausted.

“I can work all day outside, but seven minutes of that I had well and truly had enough,” he said.

It was at that point Corinella CFA captain David Cox and Kernot-Grantville CFA Lieutenant Andrew Blackney were driving past, as part of the fire response at the time.

Despite not having a truck David saw Glenn standing in his property ‘looking panicked’ and swooped in to help.

“We could see Glenn just standing out there by himself, we could see the panic starting to come and I said ‘we have to go and help him’.

“Anyone out there that day would have done the same thing – it’s just our instinct.”

David approached Glenn and using Glenn’s fire pump and hose got to work fighting off spot fires and defending the property.

Glenn said watching David work was incredible and it really opened his eyes to how much skill is involved in fighting a fire.

“I never would have thought to do the things that he was doing,” Glenn said.

“I have never experienced a bushfire before and I was just so overwhelmed by how incredibly trained David and the CFA crews were and when the situation changes how quickly they react to it.

“I really do believe he [David] stopped it from not only engulfing our place but all of our neighbours.

“I don’t really have words to describe how grateful we are.”

A short time later the Glen Alvie brigade was able to get some appliances into Glenn’s property and completely tackle the fire.

Both Glenn and David said this incident highlighted the importance of listening to advice and leaving early.

“We would rather people are not there, it does hinder our firefighting abilities,” David said.

“Things can be replaced, but imagine never getting to hug your loved ones again, imagine never being able to see them again.”

Glenn said he was extremely grateful for the work of David and the other firefighters that day.

“Don’t stay, it’s not worth it,” he said.

“I chose to stay, and I won’t be doing that again.

“Take off and you can hope for the best but at least you will be safe.”

Tips for leaving early:

• On a Catastrophic day, leaving high risk bushfire areas the night before or early in the morning is the safest option.
• You can go to family or friends in a low fire risk area, a shopping complex, library or another community building in a low-risk area.
• Plan your route and ensure your car has enough petrol so you don’t need to stop.

Read more about leaving early at cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/before-and-during-a-fire/leave-early.

 

Photos: CFA MEDIA, ROBYN ADAMS and TRIS DEWEY, CHRISTMAS HILLS FIRE BRIGADE