House lost near Benalla as Victoria prepares for high fire danger
Horses are led away from the fire near Benalla on Thursday. (Supplied: Carli Brennan)
In short:
Authorities have confirmed one house and 6 sheds have been destroyed in a fire near Benalla in Victoria's north east, a week out from Christmas.
Multiple emergency level warnings were issued for the fire, which was sparked by farm machinery at Tarnook road in Goomalibee.
What's next?
The incident controller says they're bracing for more tricky conditions today and is cautioning residents to prevent further outbreaks today.
Authorities have confirmed one house and six sheds have been destroyed by a fire near Benalla, in Victoria's north east, a week out from Christmas.
The fast-moving grass fire broke out at 11.30am on Thursday and raced towards the Broken River and Benalla.
Multiple emergency level warnings were issued for the fire, which was sparked by farm machinery at Tarnook Road, Goomalibee.
More than 200 firefighters and 50 tankers were sent to help control the fire but were unable to stop it from crossing Carroll Road.
Incident controller Lachie Gales said there were 146 properties under varying levels of fire threat,
"Unfortunately, we weren't able to protect all of them in the way that we like," he said.
"When we look at what was out there, it could have been much worse.
"That's not much comfort for the people that have suffered those losses."
The fire at Goomalibe near Benalla was sparked by farm machinery, and destroyed 1800 hectares. (Supplied: Annabelle Cleeland MP)
Mr Gales said the fire, caused by a header operating in a crop, "cut through it like a knife."
He said crews experienced challenging firefighting conditions yesterday with high temperatures and winds.
"Today is not our friend with fire weather either. We've got again high temperatures, low relative humidity,"Mr Gales said.
"The wind won't be what we had yesterday but it's still a day for extreme caution.
"We do not need more fire in the landscape, so if people could take the utmost care to prevent further fire in the landscape."
On alert today
Nationals member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland said the response from volunteer firefighters was "nothing short of remarkable".
"I understand there was a burn over with some volunteers who are all safe, fortunately, and there were also two trucks that were burnt,"
"I understand that one of the trucks that was burnt was one of the newest being distributed in recent months — it just about melted on the fire front with some of the parts made out of plastic," she said.
Benalla Mayor Bernie Hearn said residents in the area would be busy repairing their properties as crews continued to battle a blaze.
She said damage ranged from "loss of feed for their animals, to fencing and you can't run a property without fencing."
A relief centre has been set up at Benalla Town Hall.
Meanwhile, at Charlton in the north-west of the state, a fire destroyed one home and burnt 284 hectares.
Buloke Shire mayor Graeme Milne said the fire burnt more than 3000 hectares along the Avoca River.
"There'd be 15 or 20 farms probably impacted in one way, shape or form," Cr Milne said.
"They've had major losses of crop and hay, and we have lost one residential home on a small property which has impacted a family here in Charlton."
A fire at Charlton on Thursday destroyed one house and crops. (Supplied: Donald CFA)
Mr Milne said the husband and wife who lost their home were able to escape with their caravan and a small number of personal possessions.
"They are okay, very stoic when we caught up with them last night to inform them," Cr Milne said.
Cr Milne said the fire may have been caused by a smouldering tree stump.
"We are led to believe there was a lightning strike probably three weeks ago in that area where the fire originated," Cr Milne said.
A total fire ban is in place for the Wimmera and Mallee, where the fire danger rating is extreme.