NSW Fire Trucks Rush To Aid Ballarat Amid Escalating Victoria Bushfire Crisis

In response to the escalating bushfire crisis in Victoria, five fire trucks from New South Wales (NSW) have arrived in Ballarat.

This deployment is part of a collaborative effort between NSW Rural Fire Services and the Country Fire Authority (CFA) in Victoria.

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Over 110 firefighters have formed strike teams to reinforce the emergency response.

The NSW Rural Fire Services, along with a larger air tanker and a Black Hawk helicopter, have positioned themselves in Ballarat, aiming to provide crucial support over the next few days. 

The move aims to strengthen the firefighting capabilities in western Victoria, which faces severe fire activity and challenging conditions.

Country Fire Authority chief, Jason Heffernan, pointed out the urgency of the situation and issued a plea for residents to evacuate the fire-prone zones. 

He says that no houses are designed to withstand catastrophic conditions, urging residents to prioritise their safety.

“Unless your property is immaculately prepared and you have firefighting resources available, and that you are fit and mentally capable to sustain a long duration firefight in protecting your own home, my strong advice to community is leave early,” Mr Heffernan says.

He cautions that scorching temperatures are expected to intensify the fire risk once the clouds subsides. 

“Today unfortunately there’s real potential for thunderstorm and dry lightning as well, which could introduce further fire into the landscape.”

Due to the declared Catastrophic fire danger rating for the Wimmera fire district, coach services in the Wimmera region were suspended for the entire day on Wednesday, February 28, 2024. 

Additionally, extreme heat timetables are implemented on all V/Line rail corridors.

Coaches replaced trains on the Bendigo, Echuca, and Swan Hill lines due to maintenance work, and passengers are advised to use the temporary timetable to plan their journeys accordingly.

Residents are advised to follow the latest update on the V/Line website and use the temporary timetable to plan their journeys. 

There are also several stay-informed alerts issued for the surrounding areas. For the latest advice and warnings, visit Vic Emergency website.

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