A grass fire near Mount Duneed caused significant disruption on a key Geelong artery on Tuesday afternoon, leading to lane closures and lengthy traffic delays on the Surf Coast Highway.
Emergency Response to Blaze
The incident was reported shortly after 2:30 PM on Tuesday, February 20. Firefighters from the Country Fire Authority (CFA) were swiftly dispatched to the scene to tackle the blaze, which was burning in grassland near the highway.
To ensure the safety of fire crews and motorists, authorities were forced to close one lane of the Surf Coast Highway. This necessary action, however, created a major bottleneck for afternoon commuters and other road users. Traffic quickly backed up in the area as vehicles merged into the single open lane.
Traffic Chaos and Commuter Impact
The lane closure had an immediate and severe impact on traffic flow. Drivers faced long delays as they approached the incident site, with congestion stretching back for several kilometres. The Surf Coast Highway is a critical route connecting Geelong to the popular Surf Coast region, and the disruption affected a large number of motorists during the busy afternoon period.
Authorities managed traffic around the scene while firefighters worked to bring the grass fire under control. The cause of the fire is not yet known and remains under investigation by the relevant authorities.
Containment and Reopening
Thanks to the rapid response of the CFA crews, the fire was contained and prevented from spreading to nearby properties or causing more significant damage. Once the fire was extinguished and the scene was made safe, the closed lane was reopened to traffic.
The reopening brought gradual relief to the congested highway, but residual delays persisted for some time as the backlog of vehicles cleared. The incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly a roadside fire can disrupt major transport corridors, especially during the warmer and drier months when the fire risk is elevated.
Motorists are advised to always drive to conditions, heed emergency service warnings, and be prepared for unexpected delays when travelling during the fire season. Checking live traffic updates via reliable apps or radio reports before travelling is highly recommended.
