A Ticking Time Bomb on the Side of the Road? That’s how many are describing the long, dry grass lining the Hume Freeway near Longwood, which has now become the center of a heated debate following the devastating fire that ripped through the region. But here’s where it gets controversial: while officials investigate whether sparks from a truck trailer ignited the blaze, questions are mounting about whether neglected roadside maintenance played a role in its rapid spread. And this is the part most people miss: even if the grass had been mowed, the extreme conditions might have made it burn anyway—but could better management have slowed the fire’s relentless march? Let’s dive in.
On January 14, 2026, The Age revealed that the grass along the Hume Freeway near Longwood was significantly taller than the 10-centimeter limit recommended by the Country Fire Authority (CFA) during the fire danger period. This discovery comes as arson detectives probe the fire’s origins, with one theory pointing to a truck trailer throwing sparks. However, Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch clarified that this is just one of many leads being pursued. “The cause remains undetermined at this stage,” he emphasized, leaving room for speculation about other potential triggers.
The fire, which has ravaged 137,000 hectares, destroyed 90 homes, and claimed the life of Maxwell Hobson, has sparked outrage among locals. At a recent media event, Premier Jacinta Allan was confronted by an angry resident who accused the government of underfunding the CFA. “Shame on you,” the woman shouted, a sentiment echoed by many in fire-traumatized communities. Allan denied the claims, warning that misinformation could exacerbate stress in already vulnerable areas.
But is the government doing enough to prevent such disasters? Critics argue that roadside vegetation management has been overlooked, particularly in light of the CFA’s guidelines. While Chief CFA Officer Jason Heffernan noted that extreme conditions—temperatures above 40 degrees, strong winds, and single-digit humidity—would have fueled the fire regardless of grass length, others disagree. Brad Marson, vice president of the CFA Volunteer Group, called the long grass “hazardous, without a shadow of a doubt,” pointing out that it makes fires harder to control.
The CFA’s guidelines suggest strategies like pull-over lanes and maintaining grass at 10 centimeters to reduce risk. However, these measures are limited by weather conditions, as slashing grass can create sparks and regrowth diminishes effectiveness over time. Even so, slashed grass halves flame height, making suppression more manageable—a critical factor when every minute counts.
Here’s the kicker: In 2013, the government mapped bushfire risks along Victoria’s arterial roads, but the analysis is now 12 years old and doesn’t account for newer roads, environmental changes, or recent disasters like the 2019-20 bushfires and 2022 floods. An update is underway, but it’s expected to take three years—leaving communities vulnerable in the meantime.
Adding to the complexity, flexible wire rope barriers installed along country roads to prevent crashes have made vegetation management more challenging. While VicRoads acknowledges the issue, balancing road safety and fire prevention remains a delicate act. Councils, the Department of Transport, CFA, and Victoria Police all share responsibility, but coordination gaps persist.
So, what do you think? Is the government doing enough to manage roadside fire risks, or is more urgent action needed? Could better maintenance have mitigated the Longwood fire’s impact? Let us know in the comments—this is a conversation that demands your voice.
