Swanpool CFA from June 2023

15/04/2026

Hi Swanpool CFA friends
Another good post from CFA District 12...
https://www.facebook.com/share/1NFwi2oLDt/

With so much cleanup work happening across our region—from fire recovery around Longwood to general seasonal maintenance—many of us are looking to clear piles of fallen or felled trees and leaf litter now that fire restrictions have lifted. While a burn-off is a great way to get on top of the debris, it’s a task that still requires plenty of caution.

Even though we’ve seen some rain across the region recently, it’s easy to get a false sense of security. It doesn't take much—just a bit of sun and a steady breeze—to dry out the top layer of fuel enough for a simple pile burn to become an escaped fire that can quickly threaten property.

If you’re planning to light up, let’s keep things controlled and neighborly with a few simple steps:

📝 1. Register Before You Ignite
This is the big one. When people see smoke, they naturally call 000. If your burn isn't on the system, our local volunteers get paged away from their work and families to investigate what turns out to be a controlled fire.

💻 Register online: firepermits.vic.gov.au
📞 Register by phone: 1800 668 511
🏘️ Check Local Laws: Remember to check with your local council for any specific bylaws or "no burn" days in your area.

🪵 2. Setting Up for Success
💨 Watch the Wind: Wind is the number one cause of escaped burns. If the breeze is picking up or the forecast looks gusty, it’s better to wait for a calmer day.
🚜 Clear a Break: Give yourself a safety net. Clear at least 3 meters of bare earth all the way around your pile to stop the fire from creeping into the surrounding grass.
💧 Have Water Ready: Don't wait until things look "dicey" to find your hose. Have your pump, tank, or knapsack tested and sitting right next to you before you strike the match.

👨‍🚒 3. Stay Until It's Out
Most escapes happen when a fire is left "just for a minute." A fire is only considered supervised if you are physically there with the equipment to put it out. These piles—especially heavy timber—can hold heat deep in the center for days. Once you're done, give it a good stir with a tractor or rake and douse it until it's cool to the touch.

How is the cleanup going on your end? If you have any questions or need a bit of advice on safely managing a burnoff, drop a comment below or you can try reach out to your local CFA brigade.

Stay safe and look out for one another!

04/04/2026

Hi Swanpool friends, the end of Fire Danger period for Benalla Rural City is 1am on Tuesday 7th April 2026. Wishing you a safe and Happy Easter.

12/03/2026

Swanpool residents... come and meet Neil Williams, your local fire brigade captain and your local CFA fire fighters. Take a look over our fire truck and have a chat to us about fire preparedness and have a look at an example Go Bag. We'll be at the Swanpool Community Spirit BBQ tomorrow from 6pm - at the Albert Heaney Oval. We look forward to meeting you there.

10/03/2026

Hi Swanpool friends
We have an Extreme Fire danger day tomorrow and a Total Fire Ban...
https://www.facebook.com/share/1N2N3ALKxj/

An Extreme Fire Danger Rating has been forecast for tomorrow, Wednesday 11 March 2026, in the North Central and North East districts. Take action now to protect your life and property – fires will spread quickly and be extremely dangerous.

A Total Fire Ban has also been declared in these districts. This means no fires can be lit or be allowed to remain alight in the open air.

Stay up to date with warnings and incidents via VicEmergency: www.emergency.vic.gov.au

Fire Danger Ratings are forecast using Bureau of Meteorology data up to four days in advance, but can change on the day. Therefore, it is important to check the Fire Danger Rating for your area every day and know which rating is your trigger to act.

04/03/2026

Hi Swanpool friends, given the quieter conditions, this could be a good time to complete this useful course...
https://www.facebook.com/100064809966193/posts/1372913218212331/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

Do you work or travel through high bushfire and grassfire risk areas over summer? Complete the Bushfire Safety for Workers e-Learning module www.cfa.vic.gov.au/workers

02/03/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Agm8LPCfp/

An event for this Wednesday at the Benalla CFA Fire Station. Own horses, live in a bushfire risk area and concerned about your horses welfare during a bushfire? Join us for an information on Bushfire planning for horses.

26/02/2026

Hi Swanpool friends, a message from VicEmergency to say we will continue to face a high risk from bushfires during autumn. We've had a difficult summer already. Take a moment in this cooler weather to review your plan, check your Go Bag, decide where you'll go and how you'll get there if you decide to evacuate.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1aJKJthnco/

Our busy bushfire season is sadly far from over. The new seasonal outlook from AFAC shows increased fire risk during autumn for most of our state.

Victoria has faced a very hot and dry summer season this year already. These conditions are set to continue well into autumn, increasing the potential for fires to start and spread.

However, Victoria continues to be well prepared for any new fires that may start.

Stay up to date with the latest warnings by downloading the VicEmergency app or visiting emergency.vic.gov.au.

Have a fire survival plan ready before a fire starts. Visit the CFA (Country Fire Authority) website for more information.

27/01/2026

Good morning Swanpool friends,
Another excellent post from District 12...
https://www.facebook.com/share/17qU9j4QRG/

The "We Are Not A Pizza Delivery Service" Post 🚒💨
Listen, I’m going to be real with you because I’ve had three coffees ☕️ and the AI I’m using to make this sound "professional" is currently glitching out. 🤖🥴

Dave is currently staring at a map of the South West trying to make the maths work.
Spoiler: It doesn’t. 🗺️✖️
Phil is checking the tyres on the tanker for the fourth time today 🚜💨, and Mandy is just vibrating with stress in the corner.
Steve? Steve is just staring blankly at a spreadsheet of fleet numbers and sighing. 📉😮‍💨

Here is the cold, hard, un-sugarcoated truth:
We do not have a fire truck for every driveway. 🏠
🚫 No amount of fancy wording or "hero" imagery changes the fact that pretending we can be at every gate is pure fantasy. 🧚✨

The Reality Check: 📢
The Maths is Cruel: If your town has 500 houses and we have two trucks... well, I’m not a mathlete, but those odds are worse than a cold meat pie. 🥧❄️

We Aren't Immune to Fire: If it’s too fierce, we pull back. We like our volunteers (and Phil) alive, thanks. 🙅‍♂️🔥

Roads Aren't Always Open: If trees are down or visibility is zero, we aren't getting through. We’re good, but we aren't "driving through a wall of solid wood and smoke" good. 🌲🚜

The Ember Shuffle: Embers can jump 30km. While we’re out chasing a spot fire, your street might be left undefended. It’s not personal; it’s just physics being a jerk. ☄️🚫

The Bottom Line: If your fire plan is "I’ll just wait for the big red truck," you don't have a plan—you have a wish. 🌠 And as Mandy keeps telling me, "Hope is not a strategy." 🙅‍♀️📋

Leave early. 🚗💨 Prep your property. 🧹 Don't make the crew have to come rescue you because you thought we had a fleet of 5,000 hidden in a secret shed somewhere. We don't. 🏚️🚫

23/01/2026

ATTENTION CLASS! 📢 Angela is grading your "Defence Plan" and Phil just got an 'F'. 📝🔥

Admin here. I’m hiding in the truck.

Angela has decided to conduct "Home Defense Audits" today. She just landed on Phil the dill’s fence while he was watering his hydrangeas and telling the neighbour, "Yeah mate, I reckon I’ll stay and fight if it comes through. I’ve got a hose." 🥒🚿

Angela actually laughed so hard she nearly fell off the post. Then she opened her Clipboard of Doom and absolutely shredded him.

Angela’s Lecture (Listen up, Darlings):

🪖 "This isn't a movie, Sweetheart." You think defending is standing on the veranda with a beer and a hose? Cute. Reality: It is 10+ hours of physical labour in 40°C heat, in pitch black smoke, while a jet engine screams in your ear. Phil gets winded walking to the fridge. Phil will not survive this.

🪖 "Polyester is a death wish." I see you in those boardies and bin tang singlet. Reality: Radiant heat melts synthetic fabric onto your skin. You need heavy cotton overalls, leather boots, gloves, goggles, and a P2 mask. You need to look like a Minion, but less yellow and more fireproof.

🪖 "Your garden tap is a decoration." Phil thinks the water will stay on. Reality: When the power goes, the mains water dies. Unless you have a diesel fire pump and 10,000L of independent water that you have actually tested, you are defending your home with a damp wish.

🪖 "The Red Trucks aren't coming for you." This is the big one. Phil thinks we will turn up to save his pergola. Reality: On a bad day, every truck is committed. You are on your own. If you panic (and you will), there is no 000 backup.

The Pivot (Admin trying to save Phil's ego):

Angela is harsh, but she’s right. "Staying and Defending" is a legitimate plan for well-prepared rural properties with the right gear and training.

For everyone else? For the Phils of the world? Your best defense is to be in a cinema in Warrnambool eating a Choc-Top while the fire passes. 🍦🎬

Don't be a hero. Be smart. Leave early. -Admin ☕️ (scared of Angela)

14/01/2026

Good morning Swanpool
Please read the VicEmergency update on thunderstorms today.
Stay safe out there.
Jessica, Swanpool CFA Community Safety Officer
https://www.facebook.com/share/1FbbgWHaQs/

Severe thunderstorms are predicted to develop today (Thursday 15 January) and into the next few days in parts of the state, including the Hume Region. Conditions are likely to bring heavy rainfall and damaging winds.

Due to recent fire in the landscape, storms may present additional risk. Bushfires can have long-lasting impacts on the natural environment, increasing the dangers from floods and storms, and the chance of landslides

Watch out for trees which may be more likely to fall in gusty winds due to the stress from recent heat and fire damage.

Stay safe by
• Avoiding burnt areas or along river banks and gullies during and immediately after rainfall.
• Never enter floodwater – a car can float in just 15cm of water
• Think about how fires might have impacted your storm risk – areas most likely to be impacted are located downhill and downstream from burnt areas.

Stay informed of warnings at emergency.vic.gov.au. For flood and storm safety, visit the Victoria State Emergency Service website - ses.vic.gov.au.

13/01/2026

Good morning Swanpool, Longwood fire update: here is a link to the community meeting held on Monday evening (12 Jan) in Euroa to provide an update about the Longwood fires. It's a little dated, but there is still lots of good information:

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