the february 2009 fires - 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission

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2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission—Interim Report 1 THE FEBRUARY 2009 FIRES Fires Examined 1.39 1.40 1.41 1.42 The CFA indicated there were a total of 1386 incidents reported on 7 February — 592 grass and bushfires, 263 structure fires and 156 reported incidents that were false alarms. 72 The CFA identified 47 fires that had the potential to become ‘very severe fires’. 73 A number of fires managed by DSE developed into large fires on public land but involved no threat to life or private property. Many of these fires were contained and extinguished. Of the fires that were not readily contained on or before 7 February, 14 of those 47 became ‘major fires’. 74 The Commission has chosen to examine 12 fires where lives were lost or significant damage occurred. These are Kilmore East; Murrindindi; Churchill; Delburn; Bunyip; Narre Warren; Beechworth-Mudgegonga; Bendigo; Redesdale; Coleraine; Horsham; and Pomborneit–Weerite. The Commission has recorded some detail in this interim report on each of these fires. More detailed evidence has only been received on the Kilmore East fire and is reflected in this report, though that evidence is also not complete. In reporting these fire events and the response of the fire agencies, it is necessary to include technical terms used by the fire agencies. These terms are defined in the box at the beginning of this chapter (Box 1.1). Naming of Fires 1.43 It became evident that the naming of fires was an issue on 7 February and it has remained an issue for the Commission. Fires were known by their point of origin, or by a name used early in the fire’s development. This became problematic on the day, as fires that began in one location spread rapidly; the continued reference to their point of origin confused many. This report refers to the fires by the names adopted by the Commission during evidence. Warnings 1.44 This chapter provides limited information on warnings. Information was initially drawn from statements made by Mr Rees. The Commission received more information on warnings from 774 ABC Radio and its regional stations in Ballarat, Bendigo, Horsham, Mildura, Sale, Shepparton, Warrnambool and Wodonga. 75 A short section on warnings is included for each fire to identify initial and critical warnings. However, this information is incomplete, and will be dealt with more comprehensively in later chapters. There is a more detailed discussion of warnings in Chapter 4 and some further analysis of warnings for the Kilmore East fire in Chapter 9. Firefighting Resources 1.45 Significant state resources were mustered to fight the fires on 7 February and for weeks thereafter. The CFA comprises 59,000 volunteers supported by over 1100 career staff, firefighters and administrative personnel. 76 The CFA indicated that on the day it engaged approximately 12,000 CFA firefighters, including those at Incident Control Centres (ICCs), and over 1000 operational vehicles. This reflects a considerable surge capacity. The State had close to 50 aircraft at its disposal but flying conditions on the day limited the use of fixed-wing aircraft. 77 1.46 In comparison, Mr Waller indicated that DSE had 2347 public land firefighters available, with 569 ready for immediate deployment on 7 February. 78 They maintained over 1000 firefighters on firegrounds in the week leading up to 7 February and over the subsequent four weeks. 79 The firefighters are often referred to as DSE personnel but are more correctly identified as Networked Emergency Organisation (NEO) personnel. 80 The Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board (MFB) also contributed crews to the fires, although specific numbers were not provided to the Commission. 81 48
The February 2009 Fires Fire Activity Prior to 7 February 1.47 There was considerable fire activity prior to 7 February and the account below is drawn from evidence to the Commission by Mr Waller. 2 February 1.48 On 2 February DSE firefighters were deployed at 64 fires: 20 were going, 21 were contained and 26 were considered under control. Most of these fires were caused by lightning. The NEO committed 1295 people to firefighting. 82 (As noted above, technical fire terms are defined in the box at the beginning of this chapter.) 3 February 1.49 On 3 February DSE firefighters were deployed at 67 fires: 20 were going, 21 were contained and 26 were considered under control. Most of these fires were caused by lightning. The NEO also committed 1050 people to firefighting. 83 1.50 1.51 Lightning overnight ignited Bunyip State Park (two fires) and lightning ignited another fire (Nariel Ski Hut Fire), 7 kilometres south-east of Nariel in north-east Victoria. 84 All sectors of the Delburn fire were contained at 16:00 on 3 February but, as it was in difficult and heavily forested terrain, significant patrolling and blacking out was required on 4 February. 85 4 February 1.52 On 4 February DSE firefighters were deployed at 35 fires: 10 were going, 10 were contained and 15 were considered under control. The NEO committed 1045 people to firefighting. 86 1.53 The fire at Nariel Ski Hut in north-east Victoria continued to cause concern for firefighters. The fire was located in remote, inaccessible country, making containment difficult. Ground crew and aircraft were deployed to the fire. 87 88 1.54 The Bunyip fire was reported to have started at 17:00 on 4 February. 5 February 1.55 On 5 February DSE firefighters were deployed at 16 fires: 5 were going, 5 were contained and 6 were considered under control. The NEO committed 1051 people to firefighting. 89 1.56 The Bunyip fire continued to pose a significant risk, with the potential to spread rapidly if not contained. In anticipation that this fire would not be safe by 7 February, an integrated CFA/DSE Incident Management Team (IMT) was established at the Pakenham ICC. Further strategies were developed to contain movement of the fire, and crews constructed mineral earth control lines around its perimeter. 90 6 February 1.57 On 6 February DSE firefighters were deployed at 20 fires: 9 were going, 6 were contained and 5 were considered under control. The NEO committed 1365 people to firefighting. 91 Of the going fires, the following were considered significant at that time and were being managed by DSE: 1.58 1.59 1.60 ■■ ■■ ■■ Bunyip fires (going) — 123 hectares Nariel Ski Hut (contained at 10:00 on 5 February but still active) Dargo — White Timber Spur (going), started during the day from lightning. For the Dargo fire, rappel crews were sent in as initial attack, with retardant laid by aerial support, but feedback was that the fire was ‘too hot’ to contain. 93 Additional crews from Dargo and heavy machinery were dispatched to assist. 94 It was not expected that the Dargo fire and Nariel fires would cause ‘significant concern’ during the day of 7 February, nor that the Bunyip fire would affect the power line easement through the Bunyip State Forest. 95 Given that the Bunyip fire did prove to be more significant than first thought, it is explained in more detail below. The Dargo fire is not examined further in this interim report. 92 49
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