On the 3rd October 1971 a fire started on the western side of the mountain peak known as Scrubby Knob.  With weather conditions of low humidity, hot and dry with a north-westerly blowing at 13 knots (24kmh) together with tinder dry fuel made for a dangerous situation.

Fingers of fire raced along the south east side of the Laceys Creek valley and through the Armstrong Creek District.
The Armstrong Creek District was predominately used for cattle raising, dairy farming with pineapple plantations along the forest ridges.  Fodder for livestock was burnt, pineapple crops due to be harvested in three months were destroyed.
There were 200 volunteers consisting of farmers, farm labourers and towns people who fought the fires.  Women prepared food for the fire-fighters.  Resources used were two wheeled drive tractors (not many 4WD around in 1971.), a dozer, 4 wheel drive tray backs and farm utilities.   Chip hoes, knapsacks, milk cans carrying water, wet bags and bushes were also used to beat out the fires.
Communication between groups of fire fighters was very difficult.  Messages could only get to crews either by a person on horse back or a person driving around from group to group.
The Dayboro Post Office operated a manual telephone exchange.  The local Postmaster took on the role of directing where fire fighters were required.  The staff at the hotel was also advising where fire fighters were needed.
The fire was contained during the night.  However, the next day, with high winds the fire reignited.  This time the fire jumped the Dayboro-Samsonvale Road.
By now the Pine Rivers Shire Council provided a grader to cut fire breaks and the fire was contained before reaching the North Pine River.  The fire was also contained along Samsonvale Road down to Pringles Road.
An area of 100 square miles was burnt out in two days.  Fortunately no lives were lost nor houses or farm sheds.  Volunteers successfully extinguished smouldering house stumps and saved one house in Samsonvale Road.  Kilometres of fencing were destroyed.
In the 1971 era there were only a handful of houses and sheds in the Armstrong Creek District.  Now in 2009 some 38 years later, the farms have been divided into rural residential blocks on which houses and sheds have been erected with many more people enjoying the rural lifestyle.
The local district now has volunteer Brigades, namely The Dayboro & District, Ocean View and Samsonvale Rural Fire Brigades equipped with appliances and communications to manage and extinguish incidents.  Previously the district had a volunteer bush fire brigade manned by local farmers.
The Brigades recommend property owners review fire management of their properties.
Fuel reduction is important either by stocking, slashing or hazard reduction burns.
Forms are available from Rural Fire Brigades to assess your fire risk.
Everyone who has been in some way affected by the massive fires in Victoria this year should take heed.
No fuel reduction, together with low humidity and high winds and extreme temperatures can create a volatile situation.
Rural Fire Brigades request you assess your property to reduce the amount of fuel.  The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting El Nino to return.  The District has had a magnificent growing season therefore fuel loadings are quite high.  Remember your property is your asset.  Do not let it become a fire statistic.