General News
18 January, 2026
Our local heroes: Firies help save homes
FIREFIGHTERS from Loddon brigades battled through Friday night helping save dozens of homes as fire ravaged Harcourt.
They were in the first strike teams called to the wild blaze south Bendigo about 3.30pm, joining more than 180 other CFA units on the fireground that now covers more than 4100 hectares.
The catastrophic danger day fire started at Fogartys Gap Road, jumped the Calder Highway and raced over Mount Alexander knocking out transmission towers and indiscriminately destroying homes and businesses.
Terrick group captain Richard Hicks said brigades had been part of strike teams on Friday night trying to save homes and buildings in the town.
Firefighters have told the Loddon Herald winds fanned erratic fire behaviour at Harcourt. “Some homes we were able to save, others we just couldn’t,” one volunteer said.
The devastated Harcourt community and the fire’s south-eastern flank at Sutton Grange has seen rotating crews of CFA volunteers from Loddon brigades on the fireground since Friday.
Their selfless service during the height of the fire has been quickly praised by Harcourt residents whose homes were saved.
Dingee-Tandarra brigade was credited by Hailey Bucks for keeping flames from her home in a message to members on Monday while Jessica Clarke-Hong thanked the Pyramid Hill brigade for safeguarding her home on the southern side of the township.
However, authorities estimate at least 47 homes have been lost in the fire.
It has been confirmed that among homes lost was that of Loddon Shire CEO Lincoln Fitzgerald and his family.
Mayor Dan Straub said councillors and staff were supporting the Fitzgeralds.
The first strike teams had firefighters and tankers from Inglewood, Bridgewater, Newbridge, Rheola, Murphys Creek, Boort, Pyramid Hill, Dingee-Tandarra, Serpentine and Barraport racing to the out-of-control fire. Relief crews were on the fireground Saturday morning - Loddon businesses Bridgewater Bakehouse, Coffee on Loddon and Four Posts Jarklin giving them breakfast and coffee before they headed to Harcourt.
A cool change overnight had seen temperatures dramatically drop from the searing 45o across the Loddon on Friday when a fire at Jarklin had threatened the Four Posts but was quickly extinguished by eight units that rushed to the scene. More than a dozen volunteers were on standby at Inglewood fire station from 8am Friday - enough for to crew five units. Inglewood’s Cafe 3517 provided them with lunch.
Free-to-air television and some radio stations have been unable to broadcast in the region after fire swept over Mount Alexander. Three days of 40o-plus temperatures saw Coliban Water adjust “treatment processes” for water in Inglewood and Bridgewater. While Coliban say water remains safe to drink, there may be changes to taste and odour of water.