Community
24 December, 2025
Frantic moments: fire fanned across 2000 hectares
Hundreds of CFA volunteers from across the state battled the fast-moving crop and stubble fire as the mercury was thrust through 41 degrees.
A HOME has been destroyed as strong winds fanned fire across more than 2800 hectares on Thursday, threatening Charlton and blocking major roads.
Hundreds of CFA volunteers from across the state battled the fast-moving crop and stubble fire as the mercury was thrust through 41 degrees.
They took more than nine hours to contain the blaze and were still on the fireground yesterday.
Investigations continue into the fire’s cause and the Charlton-St Arnaud remains closed.
Fire brigades began getting call outs to a grass fire spreading on Parish and Reservoir Road between Charlton and Wooroonook about 12.30pm.
What started as a grouping of 20 tankers soon went downhill as the fire continued to spread through crops still to be harvested and stubble.
The blaze began travelling from Parish Road in a south-westerly direction towards Charlton-Jeffcott Road, causing police to close the St Arnaud-Charlton Road off at the Napier Street roundabout.
As residents watched from Charlton, the fire continued to spread, with additional brigades from across the state and air support being called in to support local crews. There were 60 tankers plus 10 aircraft and a number of local farmers with private appliances fighting while also moving livestock around out of the fire’s path. Despite their best efforts, the Simpson’s home at Yuengroon was lost in the fire.
Smoke could be smelled and the sky turned orange. Ash was reported to fall more than 90km on Thursday night.
Residents were turned away on the Calder Highway, initially at the Nine Mile-Woosang Road and then back further towards Wedderburn at the Wychitella Road.The highway was closed for more than six hours.
Crews said radiant heat made a close attack difficult, as well a large volume of smoke fanned by wind gusts but they soldiered on and controlled it by 9.30pm.
Charlton rallied to support firefighters with refreshments throughout the night.
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