HUNDREDS of firefighters from Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic), the Country Fire Authority (CFA), and HVP Plantations have battled a fire that threatened thousands of hectares in the Strathbogie State Forest.
First sighted along Boho Stilo's Track near Violet Town at 6 am on Saturday, 1 March, the fire spread rapidly due to hot, dry conditions.
A strong southerly wind, reaching 50 km/h, further fuelled its expansion.
By Sunday morning, it had grown to 550 hectares, moving north between Upper Boho Road and James Track.
Smoke was visible in Tolmie, and its scent reached Mansfield.
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A hundred firefighters, supported by aircraft and heavy machinery, worked to contain the blaze.
FFMVic Incident Controller Scott Edwards said efforts focused on stopping it from reaching nearby pine plantations.
"The main focus will be to directly attack the fire with aircraft, heavy machinery where it is safe, protect local properties, and keep the fire west of Kay’s Track," he said.
The fire's cause remains under investigation, with authorities treating it as suspicious.
"Victoria Police are leading the investigation, with CFA and FFMVic fire investigators assisting," said FFMVic Incident Controller Jarrod Hayse.
Despite steep and rugged terrain, containment lines were constructed overnight.
By Monday, the fire had expanded to 1,220 hectares, with 180 firefighters battling the flames.
Machinery operators worked around the clock to build containment lines, which by then stretched 17 kilometres.
Scott Edwards provided an update that morning.
"Machinery is working around the clock to construct containment lines as close to the fire as it is safe to do so," he said.
"Back-burning operations are helping to strengthen the containment lines to protect private property and adjoining pine plantations.
"CFA resources are ready to respond to any threat to private property."
By Tuesday, crews had taken advantage of decreased fire activity, expanding containment lines to 30 kilometres.
The fire, now covering 1500 hectares, posed a reduced threat.
On Wednesday, authorities confirmed the fire was contained at 1,660 hectares.
While crews remained on-site for mop-up operations, no further spread was expected.
FFMVic Incident Controller Tim Gazzard praised the collaborative effort.
"The fire has got to a contained status, meaning it has stopped spreading, and there is no threat to communities," he said.
"Our firefighters have done a terrific job over the last five days, working 24-hour shifts to bring it under control.
"The fight is not yet over.
"In the coming weeks, crews will continue ensuring the fire does not reignite, putting more water on the edges and blacking out hazards.
"A big thanks to the community for working with us—firefighting is a team effort."
Victoria Police continue to investigate the fire's cause.
