The Shoreham fire that nearly got away one year ago

2 March 2020

Above: The Shoreham fire taking hold prior to the arrival of emergency services.

The recent catastrophic bush fires in Victoria and NSW are over but not before the sad loss of life and endless damage to properties, forests, together with heavy losses to wildlife, farming stock, and the irreparable impact on the environment.

We therefore should feel fortunate that the Mornington Peninsula escaped any serious fire threat during the recent summer season of 2019-2020.

Just over one year ago it could have been a very different story had it not been for the quick response and determination of our CFA fire services.

On 28 February 2019, the Vic Emergency App pinged an alert at 12.30pm with the map showing a fire near the corner of Tucks Road and Punty Lane Shoreham, an area of farming paddocks and heavily wooded forests.

Above: A pine tree in Shoreham Road that caught fire soon after the Punty Lane fire

As the fire moved quickly, fanned by strong north-easterly winds, it was evident that units had a fight on their hands. 

What looked like a small fire at first, turned out to be a serious battle lasting six hours before it was controlled. Once the fire reached the dense vegetation of Mantons Creek heavy earth moving equipment was brought in to access areas along the creek line.

Fortunately the fire was put out by nightfall but the situation could have been a very different story had Peninsula CFA units and heli-water bombers been occupied fighting other fires on that day. 

A full force of 36 units and 3 heli-water bombers threw everything they had into the 2019 Shoreham bush fire.

Days after the Punty Lane fire, a pine tree caught fire in Shoreham Road.