Timboon Fire Brigade

14/08/2026

What happens to old tankers when we get a new one?

The CFA has a resource cascade- busier brigades (those with more call outs) tend to be prioritised for new appliances like tankers and pumpers. The vehicle that is being replaced moves on to another brigade as a ‘hand-me-down’. Our most recent upgrade saw our dual cab tanker go to Simpson CFA Community Board.

The aim is to put new vehicles in at one location and retire an older vehicle somewhere else to make best use of a single new resource by achieving upgrades across multiple bridges.

👏Meet District 15 Spare Tanker 1… filling in for Musk Tanker while it’s offline for some body repairs.

You may remember we had a similar truck for a week in December last year. This is what’s known as a CFA 3.4D tanker, based on a 1999 Isuzu FSR750 4x4. That means 3000 litres of water and 4 wheel drive, “D” means diesel, back when CFA First introduced 3.4d tankers a lot of tankers still had Petrol V8’s. Even though it’s single cab, it has more seats then our own truck with 6 members able to ride either 3 in the cab or 3 seats on the deck in the ROPS area.

🚒 When put into service it was Timboon Tanker then some time past before getting made a District Spare Tanker. We thank the Ballarat DMO (District Mechanical Officers) who dropped of the spare truck for us 👍

24/07/2026

There’s still a chance that if you start your application to join our brigade now, you could be trained and ready for the next fire season!

Joining your local CFA is the most rewarding way you can give back to your local community. Our CFA members are dedicated and skilled and each volunteer makes a valuable contribution through the roles they perform. Here you will find out how to apply to become a brigade member.

21/05/2026

Traffic update – Timboon-Curdievale Road.

Traffic on Timboon-Curdievale Road at Timboon has been reduced to one lane due to road slippage, about 700 metres from the Haywards Road intersection.

Traffic lights are in place to manage alternating flow.

The lane closure will remain in place until further notice.

Please drive with care and allow extra travel time.

29/04/2026

24/04/2026

A big thank you to community members who have been careful with lighting their burn piles following the lifting of the Fire Danger Period on 20 April. There have been a few fires escape in the wider region but our patch has been pretty good which is a credit to you all! Well done for preparing your burns properly, waiting for suitable conditions and monitoring your fires once ignited.

Please remember to register your planned burns at this website:

Information on carrying out planned burns and what you need to do before carrying out a planned burn and notifying fire services.

14/04/2026

The Fire Danger Period (FDP) will officially end at 1.00 am on Monday, 20 April in the following municipalities within CFA’s District 5 and 6.

Southern Grampians Shire Council
Moyne Shire Council
Warrnambool City Council
Colac Otway Shire Council
Corangamite Shire Council

It has been a long and challenging fire season and as we head into autumn there is still fire risk with several areas remaining dry.

As fire restrictions begin to lift, CFA is urging residents to remain alert as the current and continued conditions can still lead to grassfires even in cooler weather.

CFA Deputy Chief Officer South West Region Adrian Gutsche said the easing of restrictions was due to a number of favourable factors in these areas.

“Cooler temperatures and some welcomed rainfall has helped reduce overall fire risk,” Adrian said.

“However, even with milder weather we still want landowners to take precautions and ensure conditions are safe before burning off, and that someone is in attendance at all times to monitor the burn.

“Registering your burn-off means that if smoke is reported, it can be quickly cross-checked to help avoid unnecessary call-outs for CFA crews.”

Residents travelling to other parts of Victoria are reminded to remain vigilant and to check the Fire Danger Periods that are in place in the region they are residing.

With the end of the FDP, some landowners may choose to burn-off, but it’s essential to take precautions and ensure conditions are safe before proceeding.

To prevent unnecessary emergency callouts, landowners must register their burn-offs. If smoke or fire is reported, it will be cross-checked with the register to avoid an emergency response.

Burn-offs can be registered online at www.firepermits.vic.gov.au or by calling 1800 668 511.

Where possible, landowners should also notify neighbours and those nearby who may be sensitive to smoke.

Burn-off safety checklist
▪️ Check fire restrictions in your area and register your burn-off.
▪️ Monitor weather conditions, especially wind.
▪️ Notify neighbours to prevent unnecessary emergency calls.
▪️ Maintain a three-metre firebreak, clear of flammable materials.
▪️ Have enough equipment and water to contain the fire.
▪️ Never leave a burn-off unattended – stay until it is fully extinguished.
▪️ If your burn-off gets out of control, call 000 immediately.

For tips on protecting your health from smoke, visit the EPA Victoria website.

11/04/2026

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!

10/04/2026

Fire Restrictions end soon BUT, if you light a fire, you are responsible for any damage it causes. Make sure you have a clear area around and above the fire, have water ready for any break outs and constantly monitor your burn off.

The Fire Danger Period has been amended for the following municipalities, and will now be lifted as of 1:00am Monday 20 April 2026:
Moyne Shire Council
Southern Grampians Shire Council
Warrnambool City Council
Colac Otway Shire Council
Corangamite Shire Council

For more information and a full list of municipalities and dates: www.cfa.vic.gov.au/firedangerperiod