Fire fighters saved four homes under direct threat from a significant grass in Northwood, north-west of Seymour, on Friday.
The cause of the fire, which started in the Bromfields Road and Cowles Road area at about 3.30pm, is yet to be determined.
More than 200 fire fighters from across the district, with 27 appliances on site, were required to fight the fire, with air support by the Super Puma and Chinook helicopters.
Friday, a total fire ban day, experienced temperatures reaching a high of 39 in Seymour.
An emergency warning alert was issued to residents at 4.30pm, advising people it was too late to leave and to take shelter. The threat was later downgraded.
Hilldene Fire Brigade second lieutenant Jake Kociancic said one shed was damaged in the fire, but firefighters were able to save four homes that were under direct threat.
“We faced fire behaviour that we haven’t seen for a number of years – flames that were six metres plus, and it was rapidly spreading,” he said.
Mr Kociancic said crews had been manning the station on the total fire ban day, and ‘were out the door in 45 seconds’.
“We escalated for 10 tankers within seconds of turning out,” he said.
“We had multiple assets under threat. Our first attack slowed the fire with the help of HT346, but it was the following tankers that made a real difference.
“After escalating to 20 tankers, the next three arriving tankers went straight into asset protection, saving four houses, and preventing major damage to a shed.”
Mr Kociancic said the fire was brought under control at about 7pm, and declared safe at 5pm on Saturday.
Crews continued to patrol the fire ground on Sunday.
“We’ll continue to monitor conditions this week,” Mr Kocianic said.
“Big thanks to the local community who supported us – this kind of thing affects the whole community and we thank them for their help.
“We’re unbelievably proud of not just our members, but every single volunteer brigade who supported us. Without their support, much more could have been lost.”
VicEmergency issued 26 warnings in 24 hours, with the Northwood fire one of more than 50 grass and scrub fires across the state in elevated fire conditions on Friday.
Authorities remind people that grass and bushfires can develop quickly, so warning times may be short, and the best way to stay informed about emergencies is to download the VicEmergency app.
