'No foam, no air con': the tanker is 34 years old and still on the front line Submitted by daniel on Wed, 14/01/2026 - 05:19 Picture Image A local CFA brigade using a 34-year-old tanker helped fight the devastating Streatham fires but now it's focus is on a different battle - obtaining a modern truck. Gazette CFA brigade captain Lincoln Ellis and members were part of a strike team sent to the Skipton area on January 10, 2026. The brigade has battled other fires, such as the ones on St Patrick's Day in 2018 and the more recent Grampians fire in December 2024, using its tanker, which was commissioned in 1991. Read more about 'No foam, no air con': the tanker is 34 years old and still on the front lineAdd new comment
'It's devastating, heart-wrenching': multiple homes lost in south-west fires Submitted by daniel on Mon, 12/01/2026 - 05:07 Picture It will be a "long road ahead" for Skipton which has been hit with floods, drought and now devastating fires, which have destroyed more than 59 structures, including homes. Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue reading Holiday Offer All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All other in your area Read more about 'It's devastating, heart-wrenching': multiple homes lost in south-west firesAdd new comment
'We have reached that level of danger': Premier declares state of disaster Submitted by daniel on Fri, 09/01/2026 - 23:00 Picture Image Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has declared a "state of disaster" in 18 fire-affected local government areas including Corangamite Shire Council. Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue reading Holiday Offer All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All other in your area Read more about 'We have reached that level of danger': Premier declares state of disasterAdd new comment
Residents urged to leave Skipton as fire spreads; total fire ban for Saturday Submitted by daniel on Fri, 09/01/2026 - 05:08 Picture UPDATED 2.50pm, January 9 Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue reading Holiday Offer All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All other in your area A strike team was called to a grassfire at Streatham, north-east of Lake Bolac. The fire is heading east and Skipton residents have been advised to leave now. A total fire ban has been declared for all regions across the state for Saturday, January 10, 2026. Read more about Residents urged to leave Skipton as fire spreads; total fire ban for SaturdayAdd new comment