On 9 February 2014 fires took hold in the Hazelwood mine as a result of embers spotting from bushfires. The mine fire burned for 45 days, sending smoke and ash over Morwell and surrounding areas for much of that time.
On 21 March 2014, the Governor of Victoria appointed the Hazelwood Mine Fire Board of Inquiry made up of the Honourable Bernard Teague AO, Professor Emeritus John Catford and Ms Sonia Petering.
