THEY reckon a fire hasn’t burnt through these parts in 30 years, leaving built-up foliage and dead trees just waiting for a spark.
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Yesterday, about 11am, the bone-dry scrub around Dereel, 30 kilometres south of Ballarat, exploded in flame, which then tore across the surrounding hills and gullies.
Flames licked high above the gum trees, as residents joined firefighters trying to hold back the blaze.
Some prepared their fire plans, those with the intent of staying to protect their threatened homes.
Others tried to come back through police roadblocks to retrieve belongings and pets.
As the fire bore down on homes and property, those who stayed were being bombarded by calls from friends and relatives who wanted to know how they were.
In the aftermath, residents were left to try and figure out what had just happened.
The earth and trees were charred black, while livestock, previously herded away from the oncoming fire, began to return for a drink.
Some had theories on how it started, others refreshed themselves with a cold beer as they kept their eyes on spotfires.
That there had barely been a drop of rain in the area recently didn’t help, they said.
“Last year everything was green, it went brown overnight,” said one resident, whose property was saved from the blaze.
Later, as the fire swung around, CFA volunteer units gathered on a rise near Paynes Bridge Road.
Five tankers sat next to a pack of yellow-clad firefighters, faces covered in soot and dust, as they discussed their plan.
Lieutenant Barry Tomlin briefed volunteers on what to expect, including wind changes and possible ignition fuel near the house they were trying to save.
“You all know your jobs, do them well and we can go home,” he said.