General News
23 January, 2026
Rainbow crews back region fires
Rainbow CFA crews were deployed to Natimuk and Wyperfeld National Park during the catastrophic fire danger period starting on January 9, supporting asset protection and blackout operations as fires threatened nearby communities.
Rainbow CFA group officer Nathan Smith said the brigade sent a crew to Natimuk on Friday afternoon as conditions escalated.
“Well, the day was filthy, extremely high and catastrophic,” he said.
“We sent a crew down on Friday afternoon, one truck and five members.
“They worked on asset protection and worked till about 8:30.”
Mr Smith said Rainbow crews were also tasked to assist further north at Wyperfeld National Park, where lightning sparked another fire near a campground.
“At the same time, we sent a crew up to Wyperfeld to the fire that started up there from lightning near the campground,” he said.
“The ones that went to Wyperfeld National Park helped black out a little bit of the back end of the fire.”
On Saturday, January 10, Rainbow dispatched another crew to support efforts around Natimuk township.
Rainbow CFA volunteer and former Wallup brigade captain Matthew Staples said the team left early to get into position before the day intensified.
“We left Rainbow around six in the morning, and we had five crew members on the truck, including me,” Mr Staples said.
“I was the driver of the truck, but we didn’t start doing anything until nine.”
Mr Staples said the crew focused on supporting locals and inspecting fire-affected areas around Natimuk Lake, where hazards such as downed powerlines posed challenges.
“We just basically supported locals doing their bit around their own farmyard,” he said.
“We actually checked out one side of the Natimuk Lake, the power lines down and stuff like that.”
He said the crew used water to black out hotspots and keep fires contained.
“We did put out about two tanks full of water - blacking out,” he said.
“Probably just making sure fires were extinguished in case something cleared up.”
Mr Staples said volunteers were proud to assist neighbouring towns during emergencies.
Both crews returned home later that night after supporting operations in the fire zone.