Natimuk has long been a community that supports one another, and in recent times, the town has faced more than its fair share of challenges. Located just an eight-minute drive from Mount Arapiles, Natimuk is home to both climbers and farmers.
On Friday, 9 January 2026, an out-of-control grass fire that started in Grass Flat swept through parts of the town, destroying farmland, homes, and other structures. The fire raced 13 km in just 20–25 minutes, driven by 40 °C heat and winds gusting to 90 km/h. Fire Rescue’s Terry Fradd later described the day as “horrendous,” with the speed of the fire making containment incredibly difficult.
On the Toolondo Tanker catching the blaze at the corner of Schurmann Street before turning to defend the Natimuk Nursing Home. Image by Hywel Rowlands
The Natimuk tanker, crewed by climbers Geoff Little, Marc Graesser, and Constantine Dritsas, was already in the thick of it well before the fire reached town.
Fellow climber Hywel Rowlands was stationed on the Toolondo tanker, tasked with defending the Natimuk Nursing Home. He described a volatile and fast-changing scene:
“Behind the Natimuk Nursing Home the winds were strong and erratic, whipping fire through trees and grass. As nearby homes burned, multiple tankers worked to knock down flames threatening yet more houses.”
Left: Toolondo Tanker along the southern edge of Natimuk sent to put out a blaze that was threatening the Nati Showgrounds Pavilion. Right: Craig and Heather on the Natimuk Pumper stopping the spread of the fire. Images by Hywel Rowlands
During the fire the key Telstra tower (located on top of Mt Arapiles)—critical for communications across the Wimmera—failed despite being expected to have reliable battery backups and a diesel generator. As a result, volunteers and emergency responders were left without sufficient communications.
Claims relating to the circumstances of the outage and its broader impacts were raised in a YouTube video published this week by Martin Colbert. In the video, Colbert questioned the reliability of the tower’s backup systems, the adequacy of maintenance, and the reduction in network redundancy following the removal of 3G coverage in the region.
Colbert also claimed that the fire spread rapidly across the landscape, bringing down power lines and cutting mains power to both the Telstra tower and the nearby fire observation tower. He said these events coincided with failures in the CFA’s communication systems, which he alleged left fire spotters and ground crews unable to communicate as the fire moved through multiple towns and destroyed homes.
According to Colbert, remote-controlled cameras have since been installed on the Mount Arapiles tower; however, he stated that only one is currently operational, raising concerns about gaps in fire surveillance and situational awareness.
These claims have not been independently verified, and attempts to confirm the details have produced mixed responses. Colbert described the situation as deeply concerning, particularly with severe fire weather forecast, and said he believes unresolved systemic issues could increase the risk of similar incidents in the future.
Martin Colbert’s analysis of the communications issues throughout the fires.
Regardless of the communications failures, the physical impact of the fire was significant. In total, around 20 homes across Grass Flat, Natimuk & Quantong were lost that day, along with the bowls club, sheds, and farm buildings. For some residents, their homes were reduced to crumbled iron roofing, metal plates from stumps, brick fireplaces, and a whole lot of rubble. The sight of the damage is confronting, to say the least.
Left: Welcome to Natimuk Sign – Arapiles End. Right: Natimuk Bowls Club. Images by Claire Williams
The official cause of the fire has not been publicly released. The information provided to local brigade leadership was that the fire is believed to have originated from an electrical fault on a private property, involving a private power line rather than public electricity infrastructure. CFA fire investigators attended the site, and no investigation findings have been formally published.
In the days following the fire, volunteers mobilised across Natimuk to assist wherever needed, helping to clean smoke damage from homes and the town hall as part of the early recovery effort. In some cases, community members returned to fire-affected properties at the request of homeowners to sift through rubble in search of possessions that had survived. Among the debris, salvaged climbing equipment which serves as a reminder of how closely the climbing community is woven into the town.
Remains of climbing equipment pulled from the debris. Images by Claire Williams
Natimuk’s resilience has always been remarkable, and much of it stems from the connection between the town and its climbing community. Fire Chief David Sudholz explained:
“Our brigade wouldn’t function anywhere near as well as it does without the climbers. They’re often the ones available to turn out on the trucks, while farmers are busy out in the paddocks. I’ve made submissions to Parks Victoria about just how important the climbing community is—not just to the town, but to emergency response.”
Stories from the fire highlight the compassion and quick thinking of locals. Neighbours rushed to help each other, extinguishing small fires before they could spread. Toney Baron helped save Sonja and Eric Jones’s home after spotting stumps alight and calling for assistance. One climber defended a friend’s home using only a garden hose, ultimately saving the property.
Left: Hywel Rowlands Right: Bec Hopkins Images by Claire Williams
Amid the devastation, Lachlan Hick, Climber, local business owner and resident, stood out. Despite losing his own home in the fires, Lachlan continued to help neighbours reconnect power through his business, Natimuk Solar—the town’s only electrician. His determination to support others, even while coping with his own loss, exemplified the spirit of Natimuk in the face of personal tragedy.
Left: Lachlan Hick holding melted carabiners at his property. Right: Remains of Lachlan Hick’s house, the Hills Hoist clothesline still intact. Images by Claire Williams
Less than a week after the fire, the wider community response was well underway. A hub was created with resources for those affected: Natimuk Plumbing has provided some free emergency plumbing services to those affected. The Goat Gallery became a space for locals to collect cleaning supplies, while the Nati Café offered meals and refreshments. Natimuk Plumbing has provided free emergency plumbing to those affected.
Left: The Goat Gallery – Cleaning supplies Right: Nati Cafe – Food hub. Images by Claire Williams
A community information evening brought people together. Local vendors, Bunnings, and the Lions Club provided a BBQ, drinks, and the Big Bertha Van with free ice cream—creating a space for residents to connect, access support, and check in on one another.
Left: Lions Club Volunteers on the BBQ. Right: Neil from Big Bertha serving free ice cream to the community. Images by Claire Williams
Even amidst ongoing fire flare-ups, Natimuk continues to prepare for the next stage: rebuilding. BlazeAid has set up in town to assist local farmers in getting back on their feet, and volunteers continue to work on homes and properties.
The story of Natimuk is one of resilience, connection, and quiet heroism—both from emergency services and the everyday people who step up in times of crisis. It’s impossible not to be moved by how the town has come together.
Particular thanks are due to climbers and CFA volunteers Hywel Rowlands, Bec Hopkins and Marc Graesser. Since 9 January, all three have been on the trucks day and night, responding to spot fires, monitoring dangerous trees with heat sensors and maintaining a constant presence on the fireground, despite mounting exhaustion. Their ongoing commitment has been a critical part of the local response.
Left: Marc Graesser, Bec Hopkins & Hywel Rowlands Right: Hywel Rowlands & Marc Graesser. Images by Gianna Sudholz
Spot fires and ongoing callouts still occurring a week after the fires. Images by Claire Williams
Natimuk Truck outside the Mt Arapiles Frame after a long day of call outs. Image by Bec Hopkins
