GFMC: Bush and Forest Fires in Australia
14 Oktober 2004
Fires in Northern Australia
Several large fires and many scattered smaller ones were burning in Northern Territory, Australia, on October 11, 2004. This image of the fires (actively burning areas marked in red) shows the area imaged by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASAs Aqua satellite. Large-scale fires (dark brown terrain shows what has burned) are not uncommon for the tropical savannas and woodlands of northern Australia for this time of year, at the transition from dry to wet season. Sometimes the fires occur naturally through lightning strikes, and sometimes they are intentional, land management burns.
Latest news
A fire that has burnt out more than 1100 hectares, approximately 10 kilometres southeast of Woodburn has been contained by NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) and National Parks and Wildlife Service crews. Secure containment lines have been established around the fire and all activity has remained within the 20 kilometre perimeter, despite hot and windy conditions today. Incident Controller, Superintendent Matt Inwood said temperatures reached forty degrees, humidity was below 20 percent and north westerly winds reached 30 Kph.
Rural Fire Service and National Parks and Wildlife Service crews worked hard yesterday and overnight to deepen and strengthen containment lines around the entire perimeter of the fire.
Despite hot and windy conditions today, the fire remained behind containment lines and there was minimal fire activity within the perimeter.
Crews from the lower north coast and mid north coast that assisted local firefighters were stood down this morning.
Fallback lines have been completed, but the fire is expected to continue burning within containment lines for a few more days and not cause any concern.
Rural Fire Service and National Parks crews have done an excellent job to contain this fire in difficult conditions and their hard work is appreciated.
Personnel from the State Emergency Service, Salvation Army supported firefighters throughout the campaign by providing hundreds of meals and logistics support. The NSW Ambulance Service also assisted firefighting crews in the field.
Crews will be scaled down tonight and one aircraft will remain to complete reconnaissance work tomorrow,’ said Supt Inwood.
NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS), NSW Fire Brigades and National Parks and Wildlife Service crews are working to contain a fire that has so far burnt over 250 hectares of bushland on the Far North Coast of NSW, between Hastings Point and Cabarita.
The fire which started at around 4.30 pm yesterday, progressed from Clothiers Creek Road to the Round Mountain Road area this afternoon, pushed by strong winds and hot temperatures.
Superintendent David Cook said crews have worked hard this afternoon, in difficult conditions to protect more than 15 significant assets in the Towners Road area.
Around 70 personnel from the NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW Fire Brigades and National Parks and Wildlife Service worked to slow the fire and protect properties. Conditions on the fireground were difficult and crews worked hard to protect properties,” said Supt Cook.
Four helicopters worked alongside crews in 23 vehicles to protect more than 15 significant assets in the area of Round Mountain Road and Towners Road.
Temperatures reached 35 degrees, humidity was below 25 percent and winds from the north exceeded 17 Kph. These conditions caused numerous spot fires which were quickly extinguished by firefighters.
No assets were threatened in Cabarita but NSW Fire Brigades crews patrolled the area as a precautionary measure.
Conditions are expected to worsen tomorrow with a Total Fire Ban declared in the Far North Coast area. Temperatures are forecast to reach 36 degrees, humidity below 20 percent and winds from the west north west gusting up to 55 Kph.
Firefighters will work on backburning operations overnight in preparation for the extreme conditions predicted for tomorrow. Extra crews will be brought in from Lismore and five helicopters will work with crews to contain the fire tomorrow,” said Supt Cook.
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