02 1 GENERAL NEWS Pho<strong>to</strong> by South Coast Register
03 BANGALEE SCOUT CAMP SECTION 44 On Wednesday 13 Oc<strong>to</strong>ber 2004 at 1240hrs a triple zero call was received by Wollongong Comms for bush alight at the Bangalee Scout Camp in North Nowra. By 1500hrs crews had been in property protection and the fire was declared a Section 44 `bushfire emergency’. The fire, burning on a 100 metre front in private property when crews first arrived, was fanned by very hot, dry, northwest winds and soon entered forest vegetation rapidly gaining intensity. Access <strong>to</strong> the fast moving head under these conditions was impossible. Additional resources were mobilized for property protection at Gypsy Point Road where initial attack crews were also redeployed. The urban interface of North Nowra was only two kilometres away. Other agencies were brought in <strong>to</strong> assist and aircraft were deployed early in the firefighting effort. The fire crossed Gypsy Point Road at 1331hrs impacting on properties. The tactics employed at this stage were <strong>to</strong> undertake property protection due <strong>to</strong> excessive ember attack, radiant heat and fire conditions. An additional strike team was requested at 1348hrs <strong>to</strong> assist district crews. Police advised they were supervising voluntary evacuations from the Coconut Drive area. The Nowra Showground was set up as an evacuation centre. Only 10 people registered, the rest opting <strong>to</strong> stay with their houses and assist firefighters. This was reported <strong>to</strong> have provided valuable local knowledge, assistance in combating the fire and reduced the impact from evacuations on supporting agencies. The head of the fire ran quickly <strong>to</strong> the east being contained at a power easement <strong>to</strong> the rear of Coconut Drive properties and at Pitt Street, an urban perimeter road. An isolated house off a track in the Pitt Street area was destroyed during the run of fire. The southern flank of the fire was contained at private property along Crams Road. A small number of spot overs <strong>to</strong> the south did occur but were contained with aggressive aerial bombing and ground attack. Property protection along Crams Road was also undertaken with the loss of a small number of s<strong>to</strong>rage sheds and plant. The northern flank of the fire burned rapidly up slope <strong>to</strong> the rear of properties along Warrah Road with several structure and property losses occurring. The southerly change at 1900 hrs that night was weaker than expected allowing direct attack firefighting <strong>to</strong> continue. A bulldozer was used <strong>to</strong> clean up a track on the northwest flank where a tactical backburn was employed <strong>to</strong> fully contain the fire. Considering the extreme weather conditions the losses due <strong>to</strong> this fire were minimal. Individual property preparedness and quick action by volunteer firefighters, other agencies and the public meant damage was kept <strong>to</strong> a minimum. FIRE FACTS BRIGADES Cambewarra, Illaroo Road, Kangaroo Valley, Beaumont, Shoalhaven Heads, Greenwell Point, Falls Creek, Culburra, Callala Bay, Tomerong, Huskisson, Erowal Bay, Sanctuary Point, Basin View, Wandandian, Sussex Inlet, Fishermans Paradise, Tabourie, Central Catering, Headquarters. PERSONNEL RFS 196 NPWS 20 <strong>NSW</strong>FB 80 AIRCRAFT 3 AGENCIES COMBAT RFS / NPWS / <strong>NSW</strong>FB SUPPORT Police / Ambulance / DoCS / SES / Integral Energy / Shoalhaven Hospital / Council HECTARES 235 Ha 230 private / 5 Crown S<strong>to</strong>ry by Cameron Wade and Adam Rogers Pho<strong>to</strong>s by HMAS Albatross BUSHFIREBULLETINVOL27#01