Crews at Beyond the Valley Festival
CFA crews worked at the Beyond the Valley Music Festival to keep festivalgoers safe while they celebrated the new year.
Although a large number of resources have been focused on the fire in the Grampians, it was important for local CFA members to assist at the event which attracts thousands of community members.
The festival, in its third year, ran for five days from 28 December to 1 January, and included music, arts, and camping.
CFA Commander Gavin Fitzgerald said we’re involved in planning and response before and during the festival in collaboration with a contracted fire service, ensuring that both the local community and festivalgoers are protected.
"The challenge for local CFA members is that it's a farming area and most members are employed in agriculture. This event coincided with peak harvest production," Gavin said.
"We were fortunate to have members not just from Wingeel brigade but from wider afield in the district to support our local people for these peak periods.
“Not only was CFA there to protect those at the festival, but a big emphasis was on ensuring the land around the event stayed safe too.
"It is a big event in the middle of a paddock in summer, so there are lots of risks to manage.
"Having 40,000 people attending and being the size of a regional town, this event adds additional support resourcing from local members.”
Crews at the festival worked within the Beyond The Valley Emergency Coordination Centre and did an excellent job keeping festivalgoers safe, especially during a nearby grassfire in Inverleigh on Monday 30 December.
The fire burned through more than 70 hectares but thanks to the great work of CFA volunteers there was no threat to those at the festival.
"It was great to see so many people having fun over new years and it is a good feeling knowing our people are there to help them and the local community stay safe," Gavin said.