By Raquel Mustillo
APPROXIMATELY 90pc of the landscape destroyed in Avenue-Blackford fire is owned by Country Fire Service (CFS) volunteers, with losses ranging from $50,000 to $107,000, according to Lucindale CFS group officer Patrick Ross.
But the blaze, which destroyed one house and several property, could have been worse if not for a drain located roughly 24km from Lucindale, which acted as a natural fire barrier.
Mr Ross explained the impact of the blaze to Premier Steven Marshall, Emergency Services Minster Vincent Tarzia and CFS chief officer Mark Jones during a tour of the five-ravaged Avenue, Blackford and Lucindale area last week.