District 6 Operations Manager Malcolm Fallon said it was one of many similar incidents today in the District and across the State.
‘It’s disappointing that volunteers’ time is being taken up by fires that could have been avoided,” he said.
Mr Fallon stressed that burnoffs should never be left unattended and landowners and residents should take weather into account when burning off. People should never burnoff on hot, dry, windy days.
He also stressed that landowners need to call the Victorian Burnoff Notification Line on 1800 668 511 before burning off and tell their neighbours so brigades aren't called unnecessarily.
“The fire in Colac has burnt into two large sawdust heaps and volunteers will be there well into the night. It is one of many fires started from burnoffs that we’ve responded to today - we’ve had between 20-25 brigades out,” Mr Fallon said.
Crews from Colac, Nalangil, Corangamite, Barongarook, Yeodene, Cororooke, Irrewarre, Beeac and Larpent are at the fire, which started at 4:23pm.
The sawdust created some heavy smoke and crews used breathing apparatus to fight the fire.
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