General News
30 January, 2026
Carisbrook’s 15-minute fire
The local response to a fire near Carisbrook, both by emergency responders and local community, has been commended.
While several communities are still battling out of control blazes across the state, the Central Goldfields has still been spared despite some close calls.
Emergency services were alerted of a smoke sighting in Carisbrook just after 4.15 pm on Tuesday afternoon, prompting an immediate turn out of CFA, Forest Fire Management and police.
Fire fighting aircraft from Bendigo was also sent to the blaze
Under the 44 degree heat of an extreme fire danger day Talbot, Carisbrook, Maryborough and Bowenvale tankers all turned out to a fire that started on a private property on Curragh Moor Road, beginning between two structures and tree cover, which spread south into a paddock.
Goldfields Group Officer Peter Higgins said crews immediately contained the fire, while others immediately managed to save all buildings on the property.
“We released all vehicles and kept Carisbrook and Maryborough tanker with Carisbrook pumper on scene. I put a stop on the aircraft, they had it busy enough as it was,” he said.
“If the fire had’ve crossed the road, I would have kept them coming but I saw the resources that we had were going to be able to control the fire.
“We are very lucky, we dodged a bullet, it already crowned in the trees around the house, but it was under control after about 15 minutes.”
He believes the immediate actions of quick thinking neighbours, the swift arrival of emergency services and extensive preparation for extreme conditions are the formula to beating a fast moving fire.
“It’s great work from everybody, local land owners, Forest Fire Management, and Carisbrook tanker being there so quick. We had some landowners that just happened to be watching with their private firefighting units, and they did a magnificent job,” Mr Higgins said.
“One, they saved the house, and two, putting in that effort to make sure the fire didn’t cross the road ... if the fire had’ve jumped that road, we would have been in a bit of trouble.
“We need to be very careful in our planning, even though we have got members away, we also have to be aware of our fire suppressing capabilities. On bad fire days, only so many resources will go away, but we also have to make sure we have sufficient resources so if a fire gets away we have a massive turn out.”
To make matters more complicated, local brigades were already pressured by limited members, with some sent to relieve crews battling the bushfire south of Lismore.
“They just keep giving. They cruise away, protecting other towns, but local resources and brigades, realising the enormity of Tuesday, they have been excellent,” Mr Higgins said.
“They are nothing short of sensational.”
Lastly, Mr Higgins acknowledged the impact wind conditions had on the outcome of the fire.
“On the day, thinking of when the wind change started, if it had’ve been half an hour later, we would have been chasing that fire up Bald Hill,” he said.