Blackwood CFA

09/06/2026

Regarding the current power outage in Blackwood.

Powercor has passed on that a very large fallen gum tree has brought down lines near Blue Creek Rd in Newbury - sweeping bend as you leave Newbury going north. More resources are on their way, but they think 4 hours to repair. This aligns with PowerCor's text of 4:30 PM for power restoration.

The road to Trentham is open.

Some pics from the scene:

Ross, Blackwood Capt.

06/06/2026

At 9:27 PM last night (Friday), Blackwood brigade was paged to a power pole fire in Decker St, Blackwood. A resident had seen and heard power leads under a pole transformer smoking and crackling with some flames. Power to surrounding homes was then lost. Powercor were notified of the incident when the brigade was paged.

When CFA crews arrived on scene, all fire activity had ceased and apart from loss of power, the scene was safe. Powercor vehicles arrived on scene soon after the brigade returned to station.

Blackwood tanker was back in station about 10 PM.

Ross, Blackwood Capt.

04/06/2026

The count down is on. 4 days to go! Thank you so much to everyone who has already donated so far. Let's keep it going for a great cause.
I have to nominate someone from the CFA for next year so who do you all think I should nominate to represent the Blackwood CFA for the 2027 big freeze?

Fighting MND starts with a choice. I choose fight. Will you join me? Every donation, no matter how big or small, goes directly to FightMND to fund vital research and support programs for those living with motor neurone disease.

29/05/2026

Only 9 days till I take to the slide.🥶
Please help me support the big freeze 🥶 MND fundraiser on the link below 👇.
It's a very worthwhile cause.
Thank you to all those that have supported the course so far.😘

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ReDsgoJPn/

Fighting MND starts with a choice. I choose fight. Will you join me? Every donation, no matter how big or small, goes directly to FightMND to fund vital research and support programs for those living with motor neurone disease.

22/05/2026

Support a good cause. Come to the Blackwood pub on Monday 8th June to watch us all freeze 🥶

Donate now.
Thanks Tommy

Fighting MND starts with a choice. I choose fight. Will you join me? Every donation, no matter how big or small, goes directly to FightMND to fund vital research and support programs for those living with motor neurone disease.

30/04/2026

Fire Danger in the Central Weather District, which includes Blackwood, increases to High today and tomorrow - May 1st and 2nd.

Winds will increase to about 20 km/h in the middle of the day with gusts to 35 km/h. Tomorrow is similar to today, but with winds gusting to 45 km/h as a cold front approaches from the west. Rain to follow early Sunday.

Blackwood had 56 mm of rain in the first two weeks of April, but nothing in the latter part of the month. With the predicted winds, the dry bark and leaves on the forest floor will happily carry a fire.

Please check that any burn piles you may have are completely extinguished with water, and hold off any more burning until the winds subside again.

Ross, Blackwood Capt.

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27/04/2026

Forest Fire Management Victoria have three fuel reduction burns currently being carried out in the Blackwood area.

228 hectares at Blakeville.
248 hectares north of Lyonville.
1202 hectares at North Blackwood, Firth Rd

You may see/smell smoke from these burns.

Ross, Blackwood Captain

26/04/2026

At 1:25 this afternoon (Sunday), Blackwood and Trentham brigades were paged to a grass fire spreading on Cowans Track in the Lerderderg State Park.

The fire had been reported by bushwalkers to be on Cowans Track near the intersection of the East Walk. When Blackwood appliances arrived at the corner of O'Briens Rd and Cowans Track, they were met by a Parks Victoria Ranger who unlocked the track gate. Blackwood Tanker waited on O'Briens Rd as Blackwood Ultra Light Tanker followed the Parks Victoria vehicle down the track.

Luckily, Cowans Track had been widened and upgraded as a fall back fire break for the 15 hectare O'Briens Crossing fire on February 3rd this year. Blackwood Tanker was able to follow down to the fire's location at the turning loop where the track ended before the steep drop to the river. This gave the crew 3000 litres of water to put on the fire if required.

The fire had spread to some small trees and shrubs from what looked like an abandoned campfire. Area burnt was about 30 square metres. Trentham Tanker was cancelled en-route. A Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMV) appliance also attended. Parks and FFMV crew constructed a rake hoe mineral earth break around the perimeter of the fire while CFA crew extinguished the trees and hot embers on the ground.

Blackwood appliances were back in station about 3:30 PM. Our thanks to Alex from Parks Victoria and Ben from FFMV for their work on the break.

Ross, Blackwood Captain

24/04/2026

Fire Danger for the Central weather district increases to High today.

Winds are expected to increase to 20 Km/h in the middle of the day with gusts to 35 mm.

Please ensure any burn piles you may have are either safe or have a 3 metre fire break around.

Ross, Blackwood Capt.

20/04/2026

With a week of calm, sunny weather ahead, Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMV) has started some local fuel reduction burns.

The Blakeville Cricket Ground track burn is due to be ignited at 10 AM this morning. This 228 hectare burn is about 10 km west of Blackwood.

You may see/smell smoke in the coming days. The burn may be ignited in stages depending on weather and fuel conditions.

For more details of planned burning - https://plannedburns.ffm.vic.gov.au/

Ross, Blackwood Captain.