Forestry workers on fire stand-by

YARRA Valley timber contractors joined CFA, Red Cross and other emergency services volunteers on stand-by last week as temperatures soared.
Victorian Forest Harvesting and Cartage Council CEO Scott Gentle said harvesting contractors were ready to help protect Victoria’s forests and rural communities from bushfire.
“Harvesting contractors provide heavy earth moving equipment that is designed for forestry operations” Mr Gentle said.
He said the equipment which ranged from bulldozers to excavators, was worth several hundred thousand dollars a machine.
“Combining these machines with bush knowledge that can only be gained from working on a daily basis in Victoria’s native forests means that timber harvesting contractors are some of best people for fire fighting duties,” Mr Gentle said.
Mr Gentle said the contractors were not looking to be seen as heroes but do want the public to know they are part of a combined fire fighting team.