General News
27 November, 2025
Lightening Strikes keep CFA busy
The Warracknabeal CFA and neighbouring units were kept busy on Monday evening after five fires were reported, believed to be caused by dry lightning strikes.
The Warracknabeal CFA and neighbouring units were kept busy on Monday evening after five fires were reported, believed to be caused by dry lightning strikes.
Within half an hour, units received call outs to attend fires at Donald, Brim, Sheep Hills, Lah and Bangerang area.
Warracknabeal Captain Russell Brown said the first call came in to attend a fire at Brim/ Lah at 6.45pm followed by a call at 7.15pm to attend Sheep Hills and Boolite fires.
"We then received another call at 7.20pm about a fire at Bangerang requiring attendance," he said.
"We could see the smoke from the fire at Brim from Warracknabeal, and there was erratic wind behaviour, so we had a lot to contend with, so it was fortunate that we were able to stop it before it reached the Warracknabeal Creek.
"The Brim fire burnt some wheat crop and was very close to one home, with about only 300 metres separating the property from the fire.
"The wind turned at Brim, and that was a help, plus we had some rain."
The fires all began in crops with about 10-15 hectares of barley crop, and some trees were lost at Boolite.
"The crops were not ready to harvest yet because there is still some moisture content in them but they were dry enough to burn so we were pleased to be able to get the fires under control quickly and prevent any further crop loss for the farmers," Capt Brown said.
While five fires were reported, he said in a case of lightning strikes, there may have been more, but the rain possibly extinguished the smaller strikes before they got a hold.
Units from Warracknabeal, Brim, Beulah, Lah, and Crymelon attended the fires.
Bangerang Unit attended and extinguished the fire in their area.
Numerous personal appliances attended the fires too.
"They are usually first to reach the fire ground because they are on the spot and are a great help in the immediate work that needs to be done," he said.
"It was good to see the community working together and the farmers helping each other
Captain Brown said there was approximately 30-40 CFA personnel involved in Monday's call outs, and many more on personal units.
"The water bombers unit was notified that they were required, and although the bombers were dispatched, they weren't needed as the fires were quickly brought under control by the CFA units and some change in weather conditions," he said.
Captain Brown said the conditions on Monday could have meant a more serious outcome, but the rain was in their favour.
