RSCH.016.001.1136 - 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission

RSCH.016.001.1175
Bushfires 35
Katoomba and Springwood in the Blue Mountains; on the South Coast; on the North Coast
near Grafton; at Narromine in the West; and on the ACT – Queanbeyan border. Five
thousands firefighters battled the flames.
Major roads continued to be cut off, and houses were destroyed at Tomerong on the South
Coast. Commissioner Koperberg of the Rural Fire Service noted the severe and erratic
weather, which meant it was potentially more hazardous evacuating residents than having
them stay at home: “We advise residents strongly to remain with their houses if they are
able-bodied, properly clad and if their house and immediate surroundings are in good
condition”. 91
Thursday December 27 2001
Over 100 fires stretching 700 kilometres across the State continued to burn. Arsonists were
blamed for lighting most of them. Approximately 140 homes had been destroyed to date,
with the most serious fire outbreaks: to the south of Sydney; western Sydney; lower Blue
Mountains; and Hawkesbury areas.
The south coast tourist area of Jervis Bay and Sussex Inlet were inaccessible by road, after
fire had destroyed 33 houses. The bulk of the Royal National Park was expected to be burnt
out within the next 24 hours.
Friday December 28 2001
Calmer weather conditions allowed hundreds of firefighters to spend the night carrying out
backburning activities at around 100 separate blazes throughout the State. No new
outbreaks were reported overnight, and no further property had been lost. However
deteriorating weather conditions expected over the next couple of days presented concerns.
“Overnight, for the first time since the bushfire threat reached its peak on Christmas and
Boxing Day, fire crews were able to at least hold their ground,” said NSW Rural Fire
Service spokesman John Winter. The areas of focus were:
· In the Shoalhaven/Huskisson area on the South Coast where backburning was
continuing;
· Sutherland area;
· Mt Kembla and Avon Dam;
· Blue Mountains. Two separate fires were burning. One large blaze was burning on a
20km front, and splintered into fingers as it burns through valleys. There were concerns
that these fingers would reform as a firefront with worsening weather. A separate fire
was also burning near Springwood and Winmalee;
· The fire burning near Spencer broke containment lines and appeared to have crossed the
Hawkesbury River. However satellite imaging and infrared cameras revealed that fire
crews had been able to hold the fire on the River. 92
91
92
“Thousands flee firestorm.” In Sydney Morning Herald, 26 December 2001.
“Firefighters Benefit From Quieter Night – Worse On The Horizon – Friday 28 December
2001.” Rural Fire Service Website: http://www.bushfire.nsw.gov.au/main.htm