Erica & District Fire Brigade

11/05/2026

We’re currently doing planned burning to keep Victoria safer from bushfires.

Want to receive a text or email when planned burns are happening near you?
Sign up for alerts on the Planned Burns Victoria website www.vic.gov.au/plannedburns.

If weather and forest conditions are right, firefighters will light the following burns in the coming days:

📍Erica – Mill Site Heap burn (0.1 hectares)
📍Kalimna West – Uncle Rd Towera (30 hectares)
📍Anglers Rest – Big River (8494 hectares)
📍Cabbage Tree Creek – Newtons Creek (1005 hectares)

Without planned burning and other fuel management works, bushfires will be bigger and harder for our firefighters to control.
🔥You may see or smell smoke.
👀 Watch for our crews and follow their directions.
📞 If you experience symptoms that may be due to smoke exposure, please seek medical advice or call NURSE-ON-CALL on 1300 60 60 24.
🌐Detailed information about current air quality throughout Victoria can be found at www.epa.vic.gov.au

Unexpected weather conditions can mean plans change at the last minute and a burn may not go ahead, even if communities have already been notified. When this happens, our crews will continue to monitor the conditions and re-schedule the burn for a later date.

VicEmergency - Gippsland
Baw Baw Shire Council
CFA South East Region

11/05/2026

Six volunteer firefighters from Erica & District Fire Brigade have visited Rawson Primary School to talk about fire safety.

The seven students heard from brigade members about what to do in an emergency such as a house fire or bushfire.

The students practiced what to do if they found themselves inside a building that was on fire and full of smoke - to get down low and go, go, go!
Afterwards, students had the chance to check out one of the tankers and an opportunity to sq**rt a fire hose.

A huge thank-you to those members who took time away from their day jobs to ensure the visit could take place!

10/05/2026

Celebrating all the extraordinary mums, a lovely Mother’s Day.

07/05/2026

07/05/2026

**This post has been updated with the latest information.**

Severe Weather Warning for damaging winds

Stay informed: http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/warnings/
Issued at 10:17 pm Thursday, 7 May 2026.

Where:
For people in East Gippsland and parts of Central, North East, West and South Gippsland and North Central Forecast Districts.

Locations which may be affected include Wonthaggi, Falls Creek, Dargo, Mt Baw Baw, Mallacoota and Mt Hotham.

When:
Damaging winds developing over the east of the state tonight. Blizzards also possible in alpine areas.

Situation:
A strengthening southwesterly airstream is affecting the eastern half of the state, in the wake of a cold front moving into the Tasman Sea.

Damaging Southwesterly winds averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts up to 90 km/h are likely to develop over parts of the Central, North Central, North East and Gippsland districts tonight. For elevated areas of the eastern ranges above 1500 metres, wind gusts may reach up to 100 km/h.

Blizzard conditions are also possible for alpine areas above 1500 metres tonight and into early Friday morning.

Conditions are expected to ease over the Central Districts, and West and South Gippsland during Friday morning, before easing over the eastern ranges and East Gippsland during early Friday afternoon.

What you should do:
The Victoria State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* If driving conditions are dangerous, safely pull over away from trees, drains, low-lying areas and floodwater. Avoid travel if possible.
* Stay safe by avoiding dangerous hazards, such as floodwater, mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen trees.
* Be aware - heat, fire or recent storms may make trees unstable and more likely to fall when it's windy or wet.
* Check that loose items, such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured. Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
* Stay indoors and away from windows.
* If outdoors, move to a safe place indoors. Stay away from trees, drains, gutters, creeks and waterways.
* Stay away from fallen powerlines - always assume they are live.
* Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks. Heavy rainfall may also increase the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
* Stay informed: Monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency website/app/hotline.

The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 5:00 am AEST Friday.

07/05/2026

The AusAlert website is now live. 💻

AusAlert is the Australian Government’s new emergency messaging system. It will be a fast and reliable way for emergency service organisations to send targeted, near-instant warning messages to compatible mobile devices during disasters.

This will help authorities reach people quickly when it matters most, providing information to help save lives and property.

The AusAlert website has information including how AusAlert will work, community resources, and testing times and locations for the community and national tests.

🔗 Explore the website now at: http://www.ausalert.gov.au

04/05/2026

🗳️ Erica & District Fire Brigade – Election Results 2026–2028 🚒

We are delighted to announce the successful outcomes of our recent brigade elections. Congratulations are extended to all members assuming or continuing in their roles for the forthcoming term:

Leadership Team
Captain: Russell Wright
1st Lieutenant: Bryce Eishold
2nd Lieutenant: Rebecca Closter
3rd Lieutenant: Jack Skinner
Community Safety Coordinator: Kate Matthyssen OH&S Coordinator: Rebecca Closter

Support Roles
Training Officer: Bryce Eishold
Secretary: Russell Wright
Treasurer: Julie Tairua
VFBV Delegate: Michael Matthyssen
Communications Officer: Kurt Meier
Fire Equipment Maintenance: Trevor Closter
Baw Baw Group Delegates:
Russell Wright & Michael Matthyssen

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to District Business Manager Mark Allan for overseeing the election and to all the individuals who nominated and continue to support the brigade. The commitment demonstrated by our members contributes significantly to ensuring the safety of our community.

03/05/2026

In December 1998, five CFA (Country Fire Authority) firefighters lost their lives fighting a bushfire in Linton, 150km west of Melbourne.

This tragic event rocked the firefighting community. To recognise the sacrifice of those firefighters, and the work of firefighters around the world, International Firefighters' Day was established in 1999.

The date, 4 May, was chosen to coincide with St Florian's Day - the patron saint of firefighters.

Day and night - in the heat, cold or rain - firefighters answer the call to assist our communities every day of the year.

Today, we're thinking about what they give up to protect lives and property.

Thank you CFA (Country Fire Authority), Forest Fire Management Victoria and Fire Rescue Victoria for everything you do to help keep Victorians safe ❤️💙