Report of the Investigation Team Bulla Tanker 7 February 2009 ...

CFA.001.027.0016
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This investigation was carried out at the request of the Chief Officer of CFA in
response to a report of a burn over of CFA Bulla Tanker during the Kinglake Fire
Complex on February 7 th 2009. Bulla Tanker 1 is a 2001 Isuzu 3.4D (Reg. No.
MBD880) and was crewed by six Bulla volunteer firefighters at the time of the
incident.
1.1 Date of the Incident
The incident occurred on Saturday 7 February 2009 at approximately 1630 hours.
1.2 Location of the Incident
The incident occurred at 600 Whittlesea – Yea Road., Humevale.
(VicRoads, Map 61 W9)
1.3 Jurisdiction
The fire was part of what was originally known as Kinglake East fire and this part
was burning on private land. The control agency for the fire at the time of the
incident was CFA.
1.4 Summary of Findings
• On the day of the fire Victoria was experiencing some of the most severe fire
weather conditions ever encountered
• The ferocity of the fire and its rapid rate of spread created hostile conditions
and stretched resources over vast areas
• As part of ST1402 Bulla Tanker was tasked at a fire burning ahead of the
main fire on the south-eastern side of Whittlesea – Yea Road
• Strong wind gusts and localised fire behaviour severely hampered the
conditions around where this strike team was operating
• As conditions deteriorated the Strike Team Leader gave clear instructions to
all crew leaders that they were withdrawing from this area
• A retreat towards Whittlesea commenced with vehicles in convoy being led by
the ST Leader
• During retreat Bulla Tanker was directed on to a private property at 600
Whittlesea-Yea Road, following Sunbury Tanker 2
• Bulla Tanker passed Sunbury Tanker 2 and made its way to the rear of the
house on this property
• At this location the crew observed an open area with light vegetation
• Bulla Tanker was directed to the front of the house where Sunbury Tanker 2
had turned around to face outwards
• A sudden increase in erratic fire behaviour (fire storm conditions) occurred
without warning shortly after the Bulla Tanker pulled up behind Sunbury
Tanker 2
• The Bulla Crew Leader recalled a previous experience some years earlier
where his Tanker was caught behind another CFA Tanker as a burn-over
occurred
• This prompted the Crew Leader to direct the driver to reverse the tanker to
the open area at the rear of the house
• The crew implemented safety and survival procedures including water spray
protection and woollen blankets
Bulla Tanker Burnover – 600 Whittlesea-Yea Road – 07/02/2009
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