Update: 4.20pm
The Deep Lead neighborhood was forced into fire protection mode as a grass fire threatened nearby properties about 1.30pm on Thursday.
The blaze which burnt more than 20 hectares off grass land off Red Hill Road was fought by 20 Country Fire Authority brigades.
A resident who lived nearby on 37th Parallel Road, Malcolm Hayes, said a neighbour called him immediately after smoke started to rise above the tree line.
“She saw the fire first and rang me straight away then reported it to triple zero,” he said.
“A spotter plane was up quickly within five minutes and as well as the trucks there were two fire bombers fighting the fire.”
Mr Hayes said he was impressed with how the community banded together in a stressful scenario.
“We had a CFA meeting at Deep Lead a few weeks ago and it went through what you should do in this sort of scenario,” he said.
“They also taught us about different types of smoke and what they mean – white is not serious and black is serious and today’s was black so we knew something was up.
“All the neighbours rang each other and others who were working in town came home quite quickly – it was really nice to see how everyone banded together.”
Mr Hayes’ property was never in threat, but he still put his fire plan to action as practice for a potential situation in the future.
“I started my fire pump and checked the hoses were ready to go,” he said.
“The horse was galloping around like a maniac, but we were never in threat because the wind was going in the opposite direction.
“It is just good to practice these things for the future.”
Earlier: 3.30pm
Fire crews have finally managed to control a large grass fire at Deep Lead after battling the blaze for two hours.
A second bushfire at Great Western is also under control.
Earlier: 2.25pm
Country Fire Authority brigades are responding to a second fire, this time at Great Western off Allanvale Road.
The incident is listed as small on the Vic Emergency app, while a grass fire at Deep Lead is not yet under control.
About 20 hectares of grassland has been burnt.
Earlier: 1.45pm
A staggering 19 Country Fire Authority brigades are scrambling to put out a grass fire at Deep Lead off Redhill Road.
The fire is not yet under control, but the CFA has advised there is no current threat to the community.
Residents nearby should continue to stay informed and monitor conditions.
The next update is expected by 3.40pm or as the situation changes.
What you should do:
Monitor weather conditions and warnings as grassfires can spread rapidly.
Keep the roads clear so emergency services can respond.
Impacts in your area:
Grassfires can create a lot of smoke.
Firefighters are attending to this fire.
Smoke will be visible from nearby communities and roads.
