![Fire fighters protecting iconic McKillops Bridge in the Bendoc and Bombala area of East Gippsland with fire close by](https://www.deeca.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0030/449904/varieties/large1200w.jpeg)
'I was recently deployed to the East Gippsland in the Bendoc and Bombala area as Taskforce Leader, leading a crew of 22 Forest Fire Management Victoria firefighters.
As part of our deployment, we were proud to successfully protect the iconic McKillops Bridge. The bridge is located in a very remote area of the Snowy River National Park and is well known and much loved by the four-wheel drive community.
Initially our focus was to cut the surrounding shrub back with brush cutters, chainsaws and rakehoes. We then focused on protecting it from falling embers as conditions moved through the area.
As a team, it was great to protect such a valued community asset which will support tourism and encourage visitors to come to this beautiful part of Victoria as Gippsland recovers.
We really enjoyed working with the local Bendoc firefighting crew to do our bit and see the bridge still standing. It will mean a lot to people.
The construction of the bridge was known as an extraordinary engineering feat for its time. It is bound together by welded-steel trusses on reinforced concrete piers, which support its timber stock bridge structure. The bridge was built between 1931 and 1936 and spans 255 metres long.'
![Fire fighters clearing brush underneath iconic McKillops Bridge in the Bendoc and Bombala area of East Gippsland](https://www.deeca.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0034/449908/varieties/large1200w.jpeg)
![McKillops Bridge in the Bendoc and Bombala area of East Gippsland safe after the fire](https://www.deeca.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0035/449909/varieties/large1200w.jpeg)
![Fire fighters protecting iconic McKillops Bridge in the Bendoc and Bombala area of East Gippsland with fire close by](https://www.deeca.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0030/449904/varieties/large1200w.jpeg)
Page last updated: 07/02/20