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Yeodene member marks first strike team deployment

When the Skipton-Streatham fire broke out on 9 January 2026, Yeodene Fire Brigade member Christine Spencer was deployed to the fireground on her very first strike team to assist.

6 May 2026 Incidents - Bushfire Others People

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CFA urges burn-off delay ahead of warm, windy conditions

CFA is urging landowners to rethink burning-off activities tomorrow (Saturday 25 April), with above-average temperatures and moderate winds forecast for parts of Victoria.

24 Apr 2026 Incidents - Others Others

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New CFA podcast series

'From the frontline' is a new podcast series about the extraordinary work our members do to protect the Victorian community.

23 Apr 2026 Incidents - Bushfire People

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Homes can be rebuilt, lives can't - leave early

Long-time Gellibrand Fire Brigade member John Cochrane knows the risks of bushfires better than most, but when fire conditions escalated rapidly near his home he knew leaving early was the safest opti ...

16 Apr 2026 Incidents - Structure People

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Fire restrictions to lift in parts of South West

The Fire Danger Period (FDP) will officially end at 1.00 am on Monday, 20 April in the following municipalities within CFA’s District 5 and 6.

8 Apr 2026 Environment Community Safety Health and Safety

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Gellibrand helping hands join local brigade

When fires tore through their farm and local town in January, Gellibrand resident Rob Murphy and his daughter Veronica quickly jumped into action to help out at the local pub.

26 Mar 2026 Operational Information People Training and Recruitment

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Carlisle River brigade member reflects on her January fire experience

The January fire season looked different for many CFA volunteers across Victoria, as they navigated responding to calls for help knowing their own families and properties were in fire impacted areas.

23 Mar 2026 Incidents - Bushfire People

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Private burn-off permits issued for some South West farmers

CFA is preparing to issue a small number of Schedule 3 private land burn-off permits to farmers around parts of Lismore, Camperdown and Colac areas, through to the Great Ocean Road.

5 Mar 2026 Community Safety Operational Information People

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Future firefighters deliver care packages to Otway locals

The children of the Carlisle River Fire Brigade Captain have left their mark on the local community this fire season, putting together care packages for those who needed it most.

3 Mar 2026 Events / Fundraising / Offers Incidents - Bushfire People

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An open house at Gellibrand

CFA was warmly welcomed into the Gellibrand Community House Wednesday evening with many community members present to watch the February Volunteer Forum.

27 Feb 2026 Incidents - Bushfire People Training and Recruitment

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Primary students say thank you to Beeac Fire Brigade

More than 100 primary students from Colac and Beeac recently dropped into Beeac Fire Station to say thank you to local CFA volunteers for their hard work and service this fire season.

13 Feb 2026 Incidents - Bushfire People Youth and Juniors

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Six-month-old burn piles pose risk to landowners

Residents in the south west of the state are being urged to check burn-off piles and bonfires as old as six months, following response from CFA volunteers to recent flare-ups.

11 Feb 2026 Community Safety

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Crews praised for swift containment of Larralea bushfire

Firefighters have been praised for their rapid response to the Larralea bushfire, which broke out under extreme fire danger conditions during last week’s heatwave.

3 Feb 2026 Incidents - Bushfire People

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Crews battle Carlisle River Fire

Following the incredible firefighting efforts from ground and air crews in challenging conditions on Tuesday 27 January, some residents surrounding the Carlise River fire are now able to return home.

29 Jan 2026 Community Safety Incidents - Bushfire

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The balance between studying and volunteering

CFA’s youngest first lieutenant Brodie Hanks is one of the many young people in CFA who has juggled volunteering with studying.

27 Jan 2026 Youth and Juniors

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Colac Otways communities benefit from face-to-face information sessions

Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) have been hard at work this week visiting towns surrounding firegrounds to offer up-to-date information and answer questions.

20 Jan 2026 Community Safety Health and Safety Incidents - Bushfire

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Carlisle River Fire Brigade reflects on fire response

Carlisle River Fire Brigade has commended the extraordinary efforts of firefighters and support crews following recent fires in the area, while urging the community to remain vigilant as conditions co ...

20 Jan 2026 Incidents - Bushfire Operational Information People

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Webinar supports women’s participation on the fireground

Women firefighters from South West Region recently came together for an online webinar hosted by the District 7 Women’s Network.

14 Jan 2026 Inclusion and Fairness

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Training exercise prepares the south west

More than 80 personnel from CFA and other emergency services gathered at the Colac Incident Control Centre to simulate an emergency scenario to sharpen skills and train some fresh faces last week.

23 Dec 2025 Training and Recruitment

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Recognising the anniversary of the 2015 Wye River bushfire

Today, 19 December, marks 10 years since the devastating fires in Wye River.

19 Dec 2025 Incidents - Bushfire Others

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Ten years on from the devastating Wye River fires

It is hard to believe this December marks 10 years since the devastating bushfires which destroyed 116 houses in the coastal towns of Wye River and Separation Creek.

19 Dec 2025 Community Safety Incidents - Bushfire Operational Information

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Final municipalities in the south west to enter Fire Danger Period

The Fire Danger Period will commence at 1am Monday, 8 December 2025 for the following municipalities in the state’s south west.

25 Nov 2025 Environment Community Safety Health and Safety

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Wye River community flocks together

Many of the locals came to Wye River fire brigade - by foot, vehicle and air - as a native King Parrot inspected the broadcast gear before we went live tonight for the October Volunteer Forum.

30 Oct 2025 Community Safety People Training and Recruitment

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South west brigades open doors to prepare for fire risk

Amid drought conditions, nearly 150 fire brigades in Victoria’s southwest will open their doors to community members throughout October, helping to prepare them for fire season.

9 Oct 2025 Community Safety Health and Safety Incidents - Bushfire

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