AS firefighters were working throughout last night in a bid to contain an out-of-control bushfire near Wangaratta and the Warby Ranges, the true picture emerged as to how close Wodonga came to a disastrous outcome on Tuesday night.
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The toll of the Wangaratta fire is already high; it has burnt out 6800 hectares, killing 2000 head of sheep and destroying fences and farm sheds.
Fortunately no homes have been lost and fire authorities hope they will have the blaze in hand ahead of today’s less favourable weather.
In Wodonga, firefighters revealed how they had “dodged a massive bullet”, holding the fire back from impacting upon the city’s western urban fringe.
Wodonga West CFA captain Ross Coyle said it was not good fortune but years of planning for the nightmare scenario of a fire that would approach Wodonga from its western side, taking hold and spreading quickly all the way to Parkers and Felltimber Creek roads.
When residents awoke yesterday morning to the news the watch and act warning had been downgraded, Mr Coyle said it was the efforts of crews who had worked overnight in steep and dark terrain that should be credited for the favourable outcome.