Fire extinguished at Branxholme
30-Jan-2009

A fire has damaged approximately 175 hectares of eucalypt plantation near Branxholme in south west Victoria. It is estimated 450 hectares of farmland has also been burnt.

The fire is believed to have started on the verge of the Henty Highway, north of Branxholme, in the afternoon of Thursday the 29th of January 2009. 

The fire was contained by evening of the 29th and the area will be subject to mopping up procedures and ongoing spot checks. The burnt area will be assessed in the coming weeks and affected grower investors will be contacted.

Timbercorp would like to thank the Country Fire Authority (CFA) for their efforts in extinguishing the fire.

Timbercorp also acknowledges the contribution of their staff from the Hamilton office in containing the fire, as well as crews from forestry companies Great Southern Limited and ITC. 

Victoria Police and the CFA are investigating the cause of the fire.  

For more information contact: John Kiely, Forestry Communications Manager, on 0400 893 696