GFMC: Bush and Forest Fires in Australia
Bush and Forest Fires in Australia
06 December 2002
Latest Satellite Image:
FireDanger Extreme in New South Wales
New South Wales, Australia, has been experiencing severe drought in late 2002.Crops have suffered, and wildfire danger is extreme. In southeast New SouthWales, multiple large wildfires are burning both north and south of Sydney,which can be seen roughly in the center of the image. Throughout the territory,people have been evacuated from their homes or have been urged to remain indoorsand watchful. This true-color ModerateResolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) was captured by the Aqua satellite on December 4, 2002, and shows active fires marked with red outlines.In the southern part of the image, large plumes of grayish-brown smoke waft outover the Tasman Sea.
Source: NASA/EO
Australia´s fire seasons
Actual Fire Situation Maps
An actual fire situation map in NSWcan be found directly at:
http://www.bushfire.nsw.gov.au/Combined%20Fires%2022112002.pdf
An actual fire situation map inVictoria can be found directly at:
http://www.nre.vic.gov.au/fires/updates/report/index.htm
Friday, 6 December 2002: Total Fire Ban
The Commissioner of the NSW RuralFire Service has declared a Total Fire Ban in the following Weather ForecastDistricts:
North West Plains, North West Slopes, Hunter, Central Tablelands, Metropolitan,Southern Tablelands, Illawarra, South Coast.
The weather forecast for this area is very high temperature, low humidity andmoderate to strong winds. These conditions are conducive to fire activity andthe community is urged to take particular care. Fire danger in this area will beextreme or approaching extreme.
The Total Fire Ban will become effective for the 24 hours from MIDNIGHT TONIGHT,Thursday, December 5, 2002 until MIDNIGHT Friday, 6 December 2002.
During a Total Fire Ban no fire of any kind may be lit in the open. Thisincludes incinerators and barbecues, which burn solid fuel, e.g. wood orcharcoal. You may use a gas or electric barbecue, but only if
· It is on residential property within 20m of the house or dwelling;
· It is under the direct control of a responsible adult;
· The ground around the barbecue is cleared for 3m of all material which couldburn;
· You have a continuous supply of running water.
A map identifying the boundaries of weather districts can be found on the Bureauof Meteorology web site at http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/nsw/dist_map.shtml Members of the public can phone 1800 654 443 or their local NSW Rural FireService Fire Control Centre for more information.
FOR MEDIA ONLY: For more information or interviews regarding fire danger & fire safety:
Duty Media Officer 02 9898 1855
Source: NSWRural Fire Service
Statewide Fire Update of NSW,6 December 2002, 7.30pm
More than 4,500 firefighters are working on 79 fires that are affecting morethan 69,994 hectares across NSW.
Firefighters from the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS), National Parks and WildlifeService (NPWS), State Forests (SF), NSW Fire Brigades (NSWFB) will be working onthese fires today. The Country Fire Authority (CFA) of Victoria has provided 130volunteers to assist in todays firefighting efforts, Country Fire Servicecrews from South Australia will join them tomorrow.
Weather conditions yesterday were very hot and dry with strong winds andconditions are expected to be relatively benign tomorrow.
Total Fire Bans have been declared for the Central Tablelands, Hunter,Illawarra, Metropolitan, North West Plains, North West Slopes, South Coast,Southern Tablelands
weather districts today.
The fires of most concern are still the Glenorie fire heading towards Berowraand the Blue Mountains fire.
Baulkham Hills district – Glenorie Fire
The group of fires in the Baulkham Hills district area has run together tocreate significant urban impact upon Glenorie, Kenthurst, Maraylya, Arcadia,Fiddletown, Cattai, Kenthurst and Box Hill through private property and Crownland.
At this time it has consumed 18,000 hectares, with confirmed loss of 10 houses.
The fire is now affecting Berowra, Brooklyn, Canoelands and Cowan, which issuffering from ember attack and running fire.
The fire has also entered the Ku-Ring-Gai National Park.
The fire has headed north of Cowan and has closed the F3.
The fire will continue to the Hawkesbury River and this should be a viablecontainment line.
All CFA crews and both Erickson Africans have been deployed to Brooklyn.
Blue Mountains – Blackheath
The fire in the Blue Mountains started on the Shipley Plateau yesterday and isnow going on the northern side of the Great Western Highway.
One house is confirmed lost at Grand Canyon Road, Medlow Bath, Thursdayafternoon, 5 December.
Fire intensity has picked up this afternoon and property was protected atBlackheath and Wentworth Falls, no property is under immediate threat.
Residents will see significant smoke from a backburn on Shipley Plateau in theMegalong Valley, north of Katoomba and Wentworth Falls.
Sutherland district
A fire burning in the Holsworthy area burned through the Holsworthy MilitaryReserve, from Wattle Grove and Macquarie Fields in the west to Alfords Point andBarden Ridge on the east.
The fire is burning up towards Menai and property is being protected at WindelPlace, Hall Road, Windel Drive and Charlton Place. The fire has crossed betweenthe Old and New Illawarra Roads and is affecting Lucas Heights.
The fire has the potential to run through valley systems and impact uponresidential areas of Barden Ridge and Menai, but is currently burning wellwithin contained areas and is causing no immediate threat.
Cessnock/ Singleton district
Over 200 firefighters and eight aircraft will work on fires around the Cessnockand Singleton shires today.
A new fire southeast of Singleton on Glendon Road is threatening up to 12 ruralresidential properties at Scotts Flat. Property protection is being carried outon this fire and there has been no confirmed property loss.
Several fires in the Singleton district, in the Broke township, have spreadthroughout the Pokolbin State Forest area.
The Davis Creek fire in the Scone district is threatening residential propertiesin the Mt Royal village and Davis Creek area and property protection is beingcarried out. One house is confirmed lost yesterday afternoon at Davis Creek. Thefire is picking up with strong winds.
The Oakley Lane fire, threatening the Pokolbin State Forest, has the potentialto threaten properties on the Broke Road. Containment lines are been establishedon the southern and southwestern sides fire. The fire is burning on theBrokenback Ridge in the telecommunications complex.
The Tollongong Range fire in the Wollomi National Park, 5km west of Puttyvillage may threaten property in Putty Valley over the next few days. Crews willbe consolidating existing containment lines and putting in dozer lines aroundproperty in the Putty Valley.
Shoalhaven district Touga fire
The Touga fire is heading northeast towards Longreach and West Nowra withsouthwesterly winds of up to 30kph. The fire has not crossed the PrincesHighway.
The fire is going near the Yalwal Road in Grass Gully and is threatening anindustrial area in West Nowra.
Property protection is put in place at the pumping station Bammarang Dam, andParma Road and BTU Road South Nowra.
180 personnel with 32 tankers will be working on the fire today.
Eurobodalla district
Several fires, west and south west of Moruya ranging from Tinpot in the south tothe Buckenboura Valley in the west, were ignited 19 November from lightningstrikes most of these fires are at patrol status.
The fires have the potential to threaten the Mt Wandera communications tower.
The Winbenby fire, in the middle of the Deua National Park, has spotted over theAraluen Road causing no threat to rural residential property.
The Halfway fire has the potential to threaten property in the Deua River areaand has spotted over containment lines and containment work is being put inplace in the Buckenboura Valley.
Three new fires have started in the Eurobodalla area, one at Nerrigundah and twoat German Creek, which are causing no immediate property threat.
Gosford district
The Wellums Creek fire, in the Yengo National Park, 8km west-southwest ofMangrove Creek Dam, has burned 9,200 hectares since it started on 24 November.
The areas under current threat are Mangrove Mountain, Kulnura, Peats Ridge andthe property protection is being carried out on Waratah Road and Wisemans FerryRoad, Mangrove Mountain. Ember attack has occurred at Wisemans Ferry Road, tothe East and the fire is now heading north towards Mogo Road.
One house was confirmed lost on Bell Road, Mangrove Mountain.
Great Lakes – Bullahdellah
The Postmans Ridge fire in the Bullahdellah State forest has broken itssoutheastern containment line. Property is under threat at Violet Hill andBoolambayte, and the Pacific Highway is closed at O’Sullivans Gap.
Dungog
A new fire at Jerusalem Creek, 20km northeast of Dungog has the potential tothreaten rural residential properties and dwellings in the Jerusalem CreekNature Reserve.
Tamworth
A new fire at 25km northeast of Tamworth is threatening rural residentialproperties at Moombi.
The New England Highway has been closed except for one northbound lane.
Liverpool
A new grass fire has started this evening at Cecil Hills and crews areresponding, at this time it is unclear if property is under threat.
Source: NSW Rural FireService
Fire Weather Forecast for the Pacific Region
Fire Weather Index for the
Pacific Region for tomorrow.
(Source: ECPCFire Weather Index Forecast)
For more information on Australia see the IFFN country notes and have a look at the Australian and New Zealand links.
For background Information see also: Recent Media Highlights on Fire, Policies, and Politics
