After investigating the deaths of two firefighters in a fire near Harriteville, Victoria, a report released Tuesday concluded the management, strategy, and tactics employed on the fire were appropriate. Firefighters Katie Peters, 19, of Tallandoon, and Steven Kadar, 34, of Corryong, died on February 13 when a tree fell on their vehicle while they were working on the fire. The report was written by Victorian Emergency Services Commissioner Michael Hallowes.
Locals had questioned the management of the fire after it was under control, only for it to spot and then burn for another 55 days. The report said the fire spotted over firelines, “from one remote, steep and densely vegetated inaccessible area to another”.
