TWO fires near Lake Boga last Wednesday are being treated as suspicious.
The incident came on the eve of the region’s first total fire ban day of the fire danger period, which came in effect on Monday and firefighters have warned conditions remain dry.
The Lake Boga CFA brigade responded to reports of two fires burning on properties along Benjeroop-Tresco Road just before 10.30pm, supported by Swan Hill volunteers.
The Goschen and Lake Charm brigades were also called to attend, but were turned back once the fire was controlled.
Lake Boga CFA captain James White told The Guardian there was no clear cause of the fire.
“We’re unsure (of the cause) at this stage, there were two fires on Tresco Road in two separate paddocks,” he said.
“We couldn’t identify a cause, it is being treated as suspicious.”
Capt White said the fires burnt an estimated half-acre combined, but caused no property damage.
He said the fires were called in by a CFA member, who had been alerted by locals in the area, and called on the community to report any sightings of smoke or fire, with the fire danger period now in effect.
Capt White said the results could have been a lot worse.
“The conditions are very dry out there, luckily there was no wind last night, if wind was a factor it could have been a lot more serious,” he said.
