Bush and Forest Fires in Australia

11 January 2002

Canberra plans national bushfire strategy 
(Source and Copyright: The Sydney Morning Herald, 11 January 2001)

The federal government today pledged to co-ordinate a national firefighting strategy as it signed an
$800,000 cheque for two giant helitankers leased from the US. 
Acting Prime Minister John Anderson today toured the NSW south coast where 40 homes were lost as an inferno swept through several holiday towns at the height of the state's bushfire emergency.  With three helitankers still dumping their 9,000 litre water loads on the area, Mr Anderson announced the federal government would pay for the transport costs of Georgia Peach and the Incredible Hulk, relieving the NSW government of the $800,000 burden. The two helitankers were rushed from the US and have spent the past few days with Elvis the aircrane on loan from Victoria, bringing a huge 45km firefront on the south coast under control. 
The federal government also plans to facilitate talks with the states on how best to implement a national aerial firefighting strategy. 
"We're prepared to co-ordinate a national overviewing of the best way to handle the matter of aerial firefighting," Mr Anderson said. "If that's a useful way forward for the states without crossing the boundaries of responsibilities, we're prepared to help in that way if it can produce better outcomes." 
Mr Anderson said the government was not considering the purchase of a helitanker outright but was open to all aerial machinery that would be available to all states during bushfire seasons. "We probably need to do further research on whether they are automatically the best way to go, the best deployment of resources, but basically they're the sorts of things we will look at," he said. 
As the crisis in NSW eased and more firefighters were stood down to return to their families and work for the first time since Christmas Day, Mr Anderson comforted those who lost everything to the worst fire crisis in NSW's history. Mother of two Heather Hall from Falls Creek was hugged by Mr Anderson as other victims were by Prime Minister John Howard when he toured devastated parts of western Sydney. 
A fulltime Rural Fire Service worker, Ms Hall told Mr Anderson volunteers were responsible for saving so many homes in Sussex Inlet at the height of a firestorm. Mr Anderson then put his arm around her and said: "You're a very gutsy Australian, you really are. And you give those kids a big hug." 
About 600,000 hectares have been burnt out in recent weeks with an arsonist adding 70 hectares to the tally overnight.  A fire believed to have been deliberately lit overnight in the Brisbane Water National Park on the NSW central coast was late today brought under control and limited to 70 hectares, the Rural Fire Servic said. 
To date 33 people have been charged with lighting fires.  Extreme conditions forecast for today failed to eventuate and mild conditions over the weekend will allow crews to continue backburning and mopping up.  But with 3,200 kilometres of fire line across the state, it will be weeks before the emergency can be declared over. 
AAP 

Fire Update provided by the NSW Rural Fire Service
(http://www.bushfire.nsw.gov.au/main.htm) 

Friday, 11 January 2002

A Total Fire Ban is in force for most of New South Wales, except Metropolitan and Riverina.

Blue Mountains S44 Declared 1500 24/12/01
LAWSON ROAD: The Lawson Road fire is on patrol status. Air reconnaissance is occurring.
MT HALL: The Mt Hall fire is now on patrol status. Air reconnaissance is occurring.
LIMIT HILL WEST FIRE: 24 raft crew (NPWS and TAS) have been inserted into helipads at the Wolgan River for direct attack and mopping up. Air Ops 2 x water bombing and air recon, 1 x air attack and ground support. Awaiting up to date intelligence from air reconnaissance.
Cessnock/Wyong S44 Cessnock declared 1400 24/12/01
Wyong declared 1800 28/12
BIG YANGO FIRE: Air ops undertaking direct attack by water bombing of hot spots. Raft crews to back out active fire edge after water bombing. Dozer consolidating trail on j sector. Ground crew investigating possible containment on kilo sector. Aerial incendiarism to deepen back burn on eastern containment line in finchley division. This fire still has some potential to run into settled rural and residential area.

Fire ground has still not expanded significantly since 8/1/02. Rate of spread for active fire edges are typically less than 500m per day, and in some areas as little as only 100m per day. High level state readiness is current for areas of Wallabadah, Boree and Laguna and crews are available for rapid response if required. Winch capable rotary wing aircraft are being sourced for close containment strategies currently being implemented and further close containment options are being planned for.

Eurobodalla/Tallaganda S44 Eurobodalla declared 0700 28/12/01
Tallaganda declared 2030 29/12/01
Donovan Creek (850ha): The Donovan Creek fire is now on patrol status.
DEUA FIRE: Limited potential for containment lines in German creek / Bryces divisions to be put under pressure by predicted hot, NW conditions today. Topography and associated rotor winds along the Munuma fire trail present potential containment and safety threat. Dampier Mountain division still presents limited potential threat to containment lines under north westerly conditions.
Hawkesbury S44 Declared 2300 24/12/01
Vale of Avoca (820ha): The Vale of Avoca fire is now in patrol status.
The Grahams Creek and Limit Hill 2 fires are being controlled.
LIMIT HILL 2 FIRE: Active fire southeast of Mellong creek is running north towards proposed containment line on Mellong Sector. Backburning along this sector was completed overnight. Small areas of active fire and isolated smoking logs in Nayook Division east of Bowens Creek still persist at the edge of the burnt ground.
Shoalhaven S44 Declared 1800 24/12/01
HYLANDS FIRE: Weather conditions have been favourable to consolidate & reinforce containment lines. Aircraft including Skycrane being heavily utlilised.
Heavy aircraft have been bombing in Clyde Gorge, west of Tianjaram nth of Endrick & Danjera. Property protection has been undertaken on both sides of Hwy sector.
Singleton/Muswellbrook S44 Declared 2000 25/12/01
Swamp Arm: The Swamp Arm fire is now on patrol.
MARTINDALE GROUP FIRE: Indirect attack on some fire areas will see tactics of patrol & blackout whilst monitoring previous backburning and aerial incendiary work. Direct attack is being utilised where possible incorporating the use of raft crews to black out hot spots along fire edge.
Wollondilly/Campbelltown/Wingecarribee S44 
Wollondilly declared 1300 25/12/01
Campbelltown declared 2300 25/12/01
Wingecarribee declared 1400 28/12/01
Belmore Falls(150ha): The Belmore Falls fire is now on patrol status.
Currently the Bellambi (West) (1000ha), Burke River (46000ha) and Burragorang Complex (60,000ha) fires are being controlled.
BELLAMBI (WEST) FIRE: Ground crews are being tasked to black out northern fire edge between Lake Cataract and Allied Colliery and assess other close containment options in this area for a possible backburn should this be required. A dozer line and handtool line being constructed from power line to Wallandoola Creek in power line sector. Fire road 8 is being upgraded. Hot spots at Wallandoola Creek are being extinguished by ground crews with heli support. ground crews will be coming in by foot (1km walk). A further Outbreak has occurred at zulusector with crews and heli support directly attacking this fire.
BELOON SOUTH FIRE: Patrol and mop up burnt edge along control lines is continuing. Continue backburning in Beh Har Sector. Deepen backburn at North Western end of High Range sector.

General

Section 44 Declarations have been terminated in the following areas:

- Oberon (1900 09/01/02)

There are going fires at:

- Blenhein (Oberon)
- Banda Banda (5200ha) (Kempsey)

The following fires are being controlled:

- Hawkes Knob (2996ha) (Armidale/Dumaresq)
- Byrne Plantation/McKenzies Complex (15000) (Kempsey)
- Paradsie (3644ha) (Walcha)
- Enfield range Road (34700ha) (Taree)

The following fires have been contained:

- Blenham (Oberon)
- Sawers (100ha) (Hastings)

Patrol status has been allocated to fires at

- Billinudgel Nature Reserve (155ha) (Byron)
- Angle Gap (1725ha) (Gilgandra)
- Wassels (1800ha) (Gloucester)
- Waterfall Royal NP (15030ha)(Sutherland)
- Bagnoo Hills (300ha) (Hastings)
- Two Mile (3000ha) (Mudgee)
- Claggers Spring (28320ha) (Narromine)
- Thurloo (56ha) (Quirindi)
- Ewingar (600ha) (Copmanhurst)
- Spencer (12800ha) (Gosford)
- Richardˇ¦s Crossing (1085ha) (Kempsy)
- Stafford Wells Road (2500ha) (Narrabri)
- Scabby Jack (20ha) (Cabonne)
- Barton Reserve (205ha) (Cabonne)
- Covi (900ha) (Hastings)
- Tunnel Road (100ha) (Hastings)
- Lockmarie (16250ha) (Oberon)
- Government Rd (2ha)(Lake Macquarie)
- Wakefield (2ha) (Lake Macquarie)
- Oaky Gap (5107ha) (Armidale/Dumaresq)

Aircraft

79 aircraft were to be deployed today as under 

- Blue Mountains: 5
- Cessnock: 4
- Coffs Harbour: 1
- Dorrigo Plateau Area: 1
- Eurobodalla: 12
- Evans: 2
- Hawkesbury: 13
- Line Scan: 1
- Northern Tablelands: 1
- Oberon: 3
- Region East: 1
- Shoalhaven: 8
- Singleton: 6
- Taree: 1
- Task Force Alpha: 3
- Task Force Bravo: 2
- Task Force Charlie: 3
- Task Force Delta: 2
- Wollondilly: 7
- Wollongong: 3 

Weather 

- Total Fire Bans are in place for the all of the State.

Friday: A cold front passed through Melbourne, Swan Hill and Broken Hill around 1500 hours Friday. It is expected to be near the Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands and South Coast early morning. Very hot and dry westerly winds with extreme fire danger over the inland and tablelands this afternoon. Coastal areas will experience hot and humid conditions with onshore winds and very high fire danger. Chance of showers along the NSW/Victorian border, the Southern Tablelands and south coast associated with the front.
Saturday: The front will move through the NE of the State. Dry west/southwesterly winds ahead of and following the front are expected to maintain extreme fire danger over the slopes, tablelands, Hunter, Mid-North Coast and Northern Rivers. Coastal areas south of the Hunter can expect milder conditions with southeast winds. Chance of showers and thunderstorms in the NE of the State. Clearing showers about the remainder of the coast.
Sunday: A trough of low pressure will develop over NE NSW. Southwest winds and very high fire danger are expected over the central and northern inland. NE/SE winds and milder conditions on the coast. Isolated showers about the north coast and adjacent ranges.
Monday: A trough will extend over the NSW slopes. Warm to hot and dry southerly winds over the inland. Milder SE winds over the coast and ranges. No rainfall expected.
Tuesday: The trough will shift into western NSW/SA. Light winds in western and central areas. Northerly winds over the slopes and tablelands tending NE on the coast. A few afternoon showers about the NW Slopes and Plains.

Fire Weather Forecast for the Pacific Region

Fig.1. Fire Weather Index for the 
Pacific Region for 12 January 2002.
(Source: ECPC Fire Weather Index Forecast)

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment is responsible for the management of fire prevention and suppression on public lands in Victoria. The last updated bushfire statistic of 9 January 2002 shows 8 controlled fires. The locations of these fires are displayed in the statewide fire situation map below.

Fig.2. Statewide Fire Situation Map of Victoria, 11 January 2002
(for legend of symbols see: National Resources and Environment)

Bird Satellite (German Aerospace Center / DLR)

Figure 1 and 2 show image fragments of the BIRD HSRS MIR 
band (at 3.4 – 4.2 µm) obtained over Australia / New South Wales region at 
~ 150° longitude East between the South latitudes 33° and 36° on 4 January 2002 at 
00 h:09 min:13 sec (UTC) and on 5 January 2002 at 00 h:08 min:16 sec (UTC) for 
Sydney  overpass, respectively. (This is of about 10:08 h local time). The fires are red color 
coded to be  in good contrast to the “ambient” black  and white background with apparent 
pixel  temperatures lower than 52° C (325 K). The changes of the fire lines within 24 hours 
can be well examined by comparison of the two figures.

Some remarks on BIRD´s detection  of  the "Cristmas Fires".

For more information on BIRD: See http://www.dlr.de/BIRD/ (News).

Modis Land Rapid Response System

Fig.4. These images were acquired by the Moderate-resolution Imaging 
Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor on 10 January 2002 and shows 
fires burning in the Southeast and Northeast of Australia. For details see: 
http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/products_rr.html
and image search support at:
http://www.uni-freiburg.de/fireglobe/current/MODIS.htm
(For earlier satellite images: see Australia fire updates off 30 
December 2001 - 9 February 2002)

Operational Significant Event Imagery (OSEI)
The following significant events were identified by Satellite Analysis Branch meteorologists and reviewed by the OSEI support team of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA):

The Age Company
An animated map "The trail of Destruction" generated by The Age Company (2001) shows the development of fires starting on Boxing Day 2001:
http://www.theage.com.au/flash/special/firemap.html

CSA RADARSAT-1 Disaster Watch 

CSA RADARSAT-1 Disaster Watch offers the following scenes covering the Australia fires:

•  02 Jan 02 08:36:29 UTC; S1; cycle 93 orbit 184.89987 duration 0.00900; OBR -GSS orbit 186.3128)

•  03 Jan 02 19:21:21 UTC; S2; cycle 93 orbit 205.59160 duration 0.00900; OBR -GSS orbit 207.0713)

•  05 Jan 02 08:48:54 UTC; F3N-16; cycle 93 orbit 227.89808 duration 0.00910; OBR -GSS orbit 229.3107)

•  07 Jan 02 19:04:47 UTC; F4; cycle 93 orbit 262.59390 duration 0.00883; OBR -GSS orbit 264.00652)

For more information see: http://www.uni-freiburg.de/fireglobe/emergency/radarsat.htm

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology is the National Meteorological Service for Australia and provides essential meteorological services to all sectors of the Australian community.

Fire danger:

Northern Territory	High in the Alice Springs District.
Western Australia
CENTRAL WEST	Very High
LOWER WEST	Very High
CENTRAL WHEATBELT	Very High
GREAT SOUTHERN	Very High
SOUTHWEST	Very High
SOUTH COASTAL	Very High
TOWN OF PORT HEDLAND	Very High
SHIRE OF ROEBOURNE	Very High
SHIRE OF ASHBURTON	Very High
SHIRE OF EAST PILBARA	Very High
KIMBERLEY	High