Firey Tales

Captain’s Message
Let’s call that the month from hell. Typically, we might attend one structure fire every couple of years and to have three in a month is unheard of. Our thoughts as always go out to the families that have lost property and possessions.
On the plus side our crews performed exceptionally well at a diverse range of incidents, particularly with the caravan fire impacting on a house. A great save due to quick response and actions by the crews, resulting in only a few broken windows and scorching of the eaves. Many of our newer members have been involved in these incidents and the planned hazard reductions, gaining valuable experience and utilizing the skills they have been learning while training. As a senior member of the brigade, it makes you incredibly proud to see these new people both young and older come through and display skill and toughness doing Kangaroo Valley proud. The community is incredibly lucky to have these people on your side.
Please ensure that your property is clearly marked with roadside numbers and is accessible to large fire trucks. Quick access to stored water is your best option for fire trucks to assist you when required, so make sure that connections are visible.
Captain Dusty 0412 865 638

Published 1st October 2024 By Compiled by Tracey Basman
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Incident Calls

ATV Fire – Scotts Rd Upper Kangaroo River. Crews arrived on scene to find an ATV totally burnt out with the likely cause being a spark from a nearby pile burn. A timely reminder that perhaps a small extinguisher onboard your vehicles may be enough to prevent a fire in the early stages.

Structure Fire – Fitzroy Falls. Two Valley crews responded to a structure fire at Fitzroy Falls. Although out of our district the closest Brigades are often called on to respond. Arriving quickly the crews worked on fire suppression and property search as well as establishing a water supply relay. Once the fire was contained, they continued with overhaul and other logistical tasks. Evidence suggested that asbestos was present, which required a safety hazard zone to be established and the decontamination of all crew and equipment working inside it.
The various Brigades worked closely, and it was satisfying to see many of the skills practiced at training being used quickly and effectively. It was a complex incident with multiple Brigades as well as Ambulance, Police and Endeavour Energy responding. It took over five hours before the scene could be declared safe and all crews stood down.

Grass Fire – Jacks Corner Road. The recent high winds brought a tree down on power lines igniting the long dry grass in a paddock. The fire raced uphill where it was stopped by firefighters, aided by the strong winds blowing against it. It was quickly extinguished with almost 5 acres burnt out, though it could have been much worse if the wind had been behind it. A timely reminder to all owners to clear and maintain their properties as the fire season gets under way.

Caravan/Structure Fire – Moss Vale Road. Luckily the brigade had been paged to attend an escaped pile burn but in transit to the station this rapidly developing fire was spotted and a quick CB call had trucks mobile before the 000 call was received. A caravan parked between the house and garage was fully involved with flames impacting on the house pushed by strong winds. The first trucks started fire suppression until CABA operators could take over and directly attack the fire in the heavy smoke. Heat from the fire broke several windows, scorching curtains and outside eaves but the very quick response saved the house from serious damage. All three trucks responded to this along with Mark Bourke providing bulk water

Wires Down – Moss Vale Road. Damaging winds again played havoc in the community with a tree bringing power lines down across Moss Vale Rd. The lines ended up hanging low, only just held up by broken branches in the damaged tree. The potential for the live wires to fall further, contacting the wire fences on either side of the road and arcing was high and the road was closed to traffic until the energy company could attend and isolate the lines.

Structure Fire – Cedar Springs Road. This was called in as a smoke sighting and initially was thought to be an escaped pile burn and bush fire. As we drove to the property it was rapidly getting a bigger smoke plume but as we gained access to the property, we confirmed it was a structure fire that was still growing. Initially with only one truck available we concentrated on protecting nearby structures as live power lines prevented access to attack the fire directly. Four large gas bottles had to be constantly cooled to reduce risk of an explosion as they were impacted by fire and were venting gas off. Beaumont brigade arrived to assist with fire containment and establish water supply from an inground pool which was almost completely drained by the end. Due to the risk of asbestos all crew had to be washed down and dispose of fire gear at the scene to be cleaned afterwards.

RAFT call Termeil – This saw 3 members from KV attend, working with NPWS crews and helicopter support to control a 14Ha fire burning in remote access country utilising hand tools, blowers and chainsaws to create a control line.

 

Training

4x Hazard Reduction Burns, Woollamia, Mittagong, Manyana and Illaroo. With a total of 7 crews involved this has been a big commitment from local KV volunteers providing strategic burns to protect assets and the environment from wildfire.

2 x Resident assist pile burns for local residents that had requested assistance.

Permits to burn required from 1st September

There are some changes happening to the issuing of permits with the issuing of paper permits eventually being phased out. Residents requiring a permit will be encouraged to log onto the RFS website, create a login and request a permit online. A local permit officer will contact you and arrange an inspection of your site to approve the burn. The permit will be emailed directly to you. The future aim is that once you have completed this process successfully several times with no incidents you will be able to issue your own permits. Pad permits can still be issued if you are unable to complete this process but may take a bit longer to process. Please ensure that you plan ahead and arrange your permits several days before you want to burn.

Process for Pile Burns and Burning Off

As the Bush Fire Danger Period (BFDP) has begun the following tasks are mandatory prior to lighting up:

  1. Obtain a Fire Permit from a local Fire Permit Officer via:
    1. Phone: Shoalhaven FCC 02 4424 4424 between 8am and 4pm Monday to Friday
    2. Email: Shoalhaven FCC Shoal.Haven@rfs.nsw.gov.au or the brigade: kangaroovalleyrfb@gmail.com
  2. You must notify the NSW RFS (not the local brigade) at least 24 hours before you light the fire and provide the issued fire permit number. Notification methods include:
    1. Online: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/notify or via the QR code 
    2. Phone: Shoalhaven FCC 02 4424 4424 between 8am and 4pm Monday to Friday
    3. Email: Shoalhaven FCC Shoal.Haven@rfs.nsw.gov.au
  3. You must advise your immediate neighbours at least 24 hours before you light the fire. Immediate neighbours include those where you are separated by a road or water course. 
  4. You must adhere to all the conditions listed on the fire permit including at least one responsible person must be present on site until the pile is extinguished .
  5. Check for any messages from Shoalhaven Fire Control Centre and the NSW RFS Fire Danger Ratings webpages as fire permits may be suspended if weather conditions dictate.
  6. Check the upcoming weather conditions as the pile may continue to smolder for days. 
  7. If you believe that you cannot safely control the fire once it has been lit, dial 000 immediately.

Consider notifying your local WhatsApp Neighbourhood Group and ask the coordinator to share any plans with other group coordinators if expected weather conditions mean smoke is likely to travel some distance. Smoke does not respect property boundaries. 

Where the brigade is assisting local community members with burns, the responsibility for notifications remains with the property owner, but the brigade will attempt to post Facebook updates about planned brigade activities if there is a significant volume of smoke expected. Changing weather conditions may mean brigade updates are provided at short notice.   

If you have concerns about burning off yourself, please contact the local brigade or Shoalhaven Fire Control and we can possibly assist you with your pile burn or check your site for you. 

 

Compiled by Tracey Basman

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