General News
27 January, 2025
Boroka fire now contained
Halls Gap residents were once again bracing for the worst as another bushfire at Boroka Lookout, two kilometres west of the township, broke out on Sunday January 19 at about 10pm.
Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) crews worked throughout the night to contain the fire with efforts succeeding on Monday with an advice message issued Tuesday morning stating that the fire is contained.
FFMVic chief officer Chris Hardman said it's believed to have been caused by campers or people that lit the fire over the railing on the edge of the Boroka Lookout.
"The fire came off the top of that rock and started a new bushfire," he said.
“This behaviour is reckless, it is irresponsible and it is unacceptable.
“We are putting the community at risk for no reason at all."
Horsham incident controller Les Vearing told ABC Radio aircrafts came in first thing Monday morning with ground crews, FFMVic and CFA crews.
"They didn't have to evacuate anybody in the township of Halls Gap," he said.
"Had we not contained it yesterday (Monday) the fallback lines were a long way back ad would've made probably another 30,000 hectare fire."
The rocky terrain has made it harder for crews to reach and fight the fire safely.
"It's so steep and they're quite dangerous for firefighting crews," he said.
"Fire investigators haven't completed all their work yet. It was so unsafe for them to get right in there and trace the full run of that fire."
With the situation ready to change at any time, residents in and around the affected area should stay informed and plan next steps.
Anyone who witnessed or has information relating to the Boroka Lookout fire is urged to contact police immediately.
“We will do our best to ensure that we protect the communities in this area as we always do," Mr Hardman said.
This bushfire comes as a timely reminder to check conditions and brush up on campfire safety ahead of the Australia Day long weekend.
The Conservation Regulator, Parks Victoria, and Forest Fire Management Victoria will be conducting patrols in Victoria’s parks and forests throughout the weekend.
“Even if a Total Fire Ban has not been declared, we encourage campers to consider the need for a campfire on hot or windy days," Mr Hardman said.
"If you are building a campfire, make sure you know how to build a safe one, don’t leave it unattended while it is alight and that you put it out with water. If the ashes are cool to touch – it's safe to leave.
"It only takes one stray ember to cause a destructive fire.”
Parks Victoria manager of enforcement capability Chris Mercier said unsafe campfires can have devastating consequences.
"It only takes one camper ignoring the rules to endanger the community and our environment," he said.
Those who breach campfire regulations on public land can face a maximum penalty of $19,759 if the matter is prosecuted in court.
The maximum penalty for lighting or maintaining a fire during a Total Fire Ban day is $47,421.60 and/or two years in jail.
Unattended campfires are to be reported to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) at 136 186 or call 000 to report a bushfire.
For more on campfire rules visit https://www.vic.gov.au/campfires-stoves-and-bbqs