General News
16 January, 2026
Emergency services busy during holiday period
CFA activity in the district during the few weeks before Christmas has thankfully not been too busy; however, crews faced a demanding day with multiple emergencies.
On December 27, a car ended up in a paddock and rolled onto its roof next to the Watchem-Warracknabeal Road, and the driver was able to call 000 to alert emergency services.
CFA Warracknabeal group officer David Drage said Bangerang and Watchem tankers attended and “CFA volunteers assisted in removing the driver from the vehicle, and helping him into the ambulance”.
“He was conscious through it all, he called 000, and he elected to stay in the vehicle and allow the experts to extract him, which is probably a very sensible move on his behalf,” David said.
“He knew he was in no danger, because the vehicle was just on its roof, and he just waited until someone who knew what they were doing helped him out of the vehicle.”
David said switching the motor off and waiting for help was the right option in the circumstances.
In response to the Natimuk fire, Warracknabeal CFA captain, Russell Brown, said they were asked to send strike teams to protect town assets, with one team in particular having to work hard to keep the nursing home protected, which was successful.
“We took our pumper from Warracknabeal and two tankers out of the Warracknabeal group, and went over there for a few hours in the afternoon,” he said.
“It wasn't too bad at the nursing home, where the Warracknabeal pumper basically provided protection at the nursing home, and kept monitoring conditions there.
"They had 35 or 36 residents, I believe, plus staff, on site, and they were planning on leaving them in place and actually protecting the premises, which all worked out OK in the end.
“The other two tankers from the Warracknabeal group were also doing asset protection around the township of Natimuk, protecting other buildings from ember attacks, as well as general fire suppression around town.”
He said conditions on the day “were obviously not real pleasant, and certainly stirred things up a lot” and was happy to get back home in the evening – but unfortunately the day wasn’t yet over, with a call out to a house fire – “I was hoping I was done for the day, I was in the shower (when) my phone went off!”
“Just after 10.30, I think it was, we got called to a structure fire in Warracknabeal in Molyneaux Street,” Russell said.
“It looks like it's come from the switchboard, and the main damage was to the exterior of the house, with some interior damage to the ceiling as well as the front of the building.
“No injuries, (but) one gentleman was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation.”
With some assistance in cleaning up still ongoing at Natimuk and a long way to go yet in the fire season, Russell reminded the community to remain vigilant.
“Stay alert and watch the fire ratings.”