‘Rubber neckers, need to stay away’ - fire captain

Driven by extreme fire danger conditions and winds reaching 69km/h, the fire raced from Corona Road to Whitehead Street in just over 30 minutes. Flames reached up to seven metres as they tore through wheat fields.

About 110 firefighters from across the region responded. Crews worked in challenging conditions as the fire was pushed east towards Honour Avenue, prompting an emergency warning for nearby residents.

Earlier that afternoon, another grass and scrub fire had already broken out on Federation Way, with eight crews attending.

Several of those brigades later redeployed to the Corowa blaze, while the Wodonga West Fire Brigade moved to man the Rutherglen station.

“The community came together with fire brigades from regions far and wide,” Redlands Captain Phil Penny said.

“Locally, we had the Federation Support Brigade and the Redlands Brigade helping to stop this fire before it caused any more damage.

“We were lucky there was no serious infrastructure damage, mainly some fencing. Once the fire was controlled, the biggest job was the clean-up.”

Three aircraft, including a Hercules waterbomber, supported ground crews in containing the blaze.

The Riverina Highway between Honour Avenue and Federation Way was closed for several hours, and the incident caused widespread power outages.

Deputy Group Captain Nathan Ractliffe said the fire’s speed and intensity made it almost impossible to stop without major barriers such as roads or waterways.

“It was a fast-moving, thin fire,” he said.

“Positioning trucks along Whitehead Street stopped it, pushing into other crops toward the Riverina Highway.

“Our next priority was the southern flank, if the wind had turned northerly, the fire would have headed straight for town.”

The NSW Rural Fire Service issued an emergency alert that was later downgraded as crews gained control.

Firefighters also reported difficulties caused by members of the public entering the area.

“We’re putting ourselves at risk when the public intervenes,” Federation Support Captain Luke Doering said.

“We need people to stay away during a fire.

“We’ve got fire trucks and equipment trying to get to the fire, and we’ve been slowed up or impeded by ‘rubber neckers’.

“We’ve got fire trucks and equipment trying to get to the fire, and we’ve been slowed up or impeded by ‘rubber neckers’.”

Deputy Captain Ractliffe agreed: “People were pulling out in front of us or hanging phones out of car windows. We really need them to hang back so we can protect the town.”

RFS leaders said the incident highlighted the importance of public preparedness and compliance.

“Moving into summer, this showed how quickly a fire can start and spread,” Captain Doering said.

“When we put messages out about fire restrictions, they’re there for a reason.”

Captain Penny urged residents to maintain their properties and follow emergency advice.

“Make sure there’s no rubbish against boundaries and that properties are as fire-safe as possible in this high-risk area,” he said.

“Follow evacuation instructions if they’re issued.”

Federation Zone Group Captain Greydn Davis praised the efforts of all responding crews.

“I couldn’t speak more favourably or passionately about the men and women risking their lives in these situations,” he said.

“The teams worked incredibly well in trying conditions. When alerts are sent out, people need to ask themselves: ‘Do I really need to be out here?’”