Upwey Fire Brigade - CFA

Burning off in bushland areas of the Yarra Ranges Council is NOT permitted during JUNE and JULY. This includes all of the Upwey and broader Dandenong Ranges area.

Yarra Ranges Council bylaws apply.

For full details and to check your location, visit: https://www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Our-services/Climate-and-environment/Burning-off

What a wonderful surprise to receive a generous donation from Upwey Junior School Council. This will go toward helping the brigade fund and maintain essential equipment.

Did you know there are specialised smoke alarms for people who are deaf or hard of hearing?
If you or someone you know might need a specialised smoke alarm visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/smokealarms

On the 15th May, 2 of our members, Darron and Liam, were recognised for their actions in the town of Mallacoota over New Years 2019/2020.

In late Dec 2019, District 13 strike team 1392 was sent initially to Swan Reach to take part in the protection of towns in the area from a large fire approaching from the north.

Whilst out surveying the area around Bruthen the strike team was ordered to head East at speed as lighting strikes had started a fire to the northwest of Mallacoota. Nine strike teams were planned to get into town, however the Princes Hwy was soon shut resulting in only 3 strike teams totalling 16 Tankers making it in to compliment the 2 Tankers at Mallacoota fire station.

For those who have never been to Mallacoota, in the off peak, it is a sleepy little seaside place with about 1500 residents. With the largest caravan park in the southern hemisphere being in town though, the population swells to well over 10,000 people during the holiday periods. When ST1392 arrived, most had fled and there were around 4,000 to 5,000 remaining with advice to "get in the water" if the fire made into the town.

Media coverage showed the world the resulting effects of what happens when a raging bushfire meets an urban environment however, the efforts of ST1392 were largely unseen as almost all residents and holiday goers had listened to instruction either fleeing the town or had headed to the waters edge for safety.

ST1392 was on the western side of town and was first to deal with the fire as it tore out of the bush. No words can describe what it's like to be in the middle of an event like that.

To the credit of all strike teams present, not a single life was lost despite over 150 homes being destroyed in the inferno.

To recognise their efforts, Darron and Liam were awarded, as part of ST1392, the Chief Officers Unit Citation for Courage by Acting Chief Gary Cook.

Both Darron and Liam would like to acknowledge all who were there that day who were brave enough to entrust their safety with them, as well as those who had the courage to rebuild after having lost everything they owned in this world.

They would like to acknowledge the other strike teams present in the town, the members of the Mallacoota fire brigade and the crews that came in afterwards to continue providing protection and support to a town devastated by one of Mother Nature's most powerful weapons

When Did You Last Test Your Smoke Alarms?
We lose our sense of smell when we are asleep. A smoke alarm is your electronic nose. It will alert you if there is smoke from a fire.
A small fire can grow to involve an entire room in just two to three minutes.
Working smoke alarms will provide you with early warning and time to escape.

Following these 3 steps will help ensure your smoke alarms work.
1) Each month press and hold the test button to confirm the alarm sounds
2) Dust the alarm annually to keep vents clear and unobstructed
3) Change the 9V battery annually. Modern alarms have lithium batteries that last 10 years.

More information about the What, Why & Where About Smoke Alarms : https://upweycfa.org.au/smoke-alarms/

During mid to late May 2026, Yarra Ranges Council will be introducing drop off points for used household batteries at 6 locations throughout the Yarra Ranges region. Each area will have a local drop-off location.

As part of a broader recycling service, the following items will be accepted;
- Household batteries
- Vapes
- Small e-waste items, including those with embedded batteries

Drop off locations include;
- Belgrave Library - Reynolds Ln, Belgrave
- Healesville Community Link - 110 River Street, Healesville
- Lilydale - Yarra Ranges Council Civic Centre 15 Anderson Street, Lilydale
- Monbulk Community Link - 21 Main Road, Monbulk
- Upwey Community Link - 40 Main Street, Upwey
- Yarra Junction Community Link- 2444 Warburton Highway, Yarra Junction

The picture shows an example of the type of collection containers that will be in place at each site, as applicable for the items listed above. Each location will also be equipped with a fire blanket for use in the event of a lithium-ion battery incident.

For further details, visit https://www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Our-Council/Latest-news/Recycling-hubs-coming-to-Yarra-Ranges

From all the team at Upwey CFA, have a very happy Mothers Day.

Jumble Sale is now open until 2:pm Grab a bargain.
See you here.

Early bird crowd building for the upwey CFA 55th Jumble Sale.
Furniture, bric-a-brac, electricals, books, DVDs, tools and much much more.
BBQ is on with sausages, egg n bacon rolls, drinks. Plus donuts, cakes and more.

Have you lost this gorgeous dog? Found roaming near fire station.
Come to Jumble Sale this morning and ask for Finn O.