A hideous fatal fireground accident near Lucindale was one year old last week. Recalling the day, a sombre group gathered at the Lucindale CFS Station for the unveiling of a plaque in honour of CFS fallen volunteer Louise Hincks.

She was killed on January 21, 2022, when a burning limb from a large red gum tree fell on her and a fellow volunteer while off the truck and fighting the Coles fire.

SA CFS chief officer Brett Laughlin made his way to Lucindale to help CFS group officer Patrick Ross unveil the plaque, lay a wreath of flowers and support the sad volunteers.

Struck by the chilling death of a fellow firefighter on the fireground, Mr Ross choked back tears and was unable to read his prepared speech.

Lucindale CFS secretary Kerrie Thomas took over and read the speech for him.

Mr Ross reflected how people had been banding together over many years when fire was at their doorstep.

“The fact remains that those who choose to fight at ground level are putting themselves in great danger and from time to time it comes at a cost, the ultimate loss of life on the fire ground,” Ms Thomas said on behalf of her group officer.

“Here, in this district, there has been tragically four CFS volunteers and 11 residents whose lives were lost during just two events, and here in Lucindale, we honour their sacrifice.”

On January 19, 2022, a fire was reported in a bluegum forest in the Coles-Callendale area, Mr Ross had recalled and wrote.

It quickly escalated on a strong SE wind. By nightfall the fire quietened and breaks were being put in place.

“The next day a lot of effort was put in to secure the fire within these containment lines. But it broke through and made a run – once again fanned by strong SE winds.

“The aerial observer reported the fire was crowning out, and it was putting a large amount of burning material into the sky – some of this material travelled over 15km.

“Late in the afternoon it crossed the Callendale Rd.

“With the enormous effort of volunteers, farm fire units and heavy machinery operators, we were able to stop this fire by nightfall.

“Hundreds of CFS volunteers had been arriving to assist in the firefight, and now the mop up phase.

“It was mid-morning and we received a report of an accident on the fire ground.

“Two volunteers had been struck by a falling limb off a large red gum.

“It soon became apparent one volunteer had died in the accident and the other, seriously injured.

“We don’t sign up for these events, but we are acutely aware that it is a risky business. We are here today to honour the fallen.”

CFS chief office Brett Loughlin said Louise was part of a strike team assigned to the edge of the fire – extinguishing remaining hot spots, burning trees and debris ahead of worsening conditions in the forecast.

“In fact, on that day, Friday, the weather conditions were forecast to be some of the worst they had been in the three-day period of that fire.

“So there was a real criticality to the actions that that strike team was undertaking.

“They had identified this large red gum and knew that something had to be done about it.

“And in the course of stepping forward to do something about that situation, senior firefighter Louise Hincks was tragically killed.

“Deputy group officer Kevin Maciunas was seriously injured.

“Kevin’s life was saved, thanks to volunteers who were in his crew who were in the strike team who provided immediate first aid and saved his life until paramedics could get there, stabilize him and transport him to Adelaide.

“He bears the scars from that incident with him to this day.

“That incident and indeed all the incidents where we have had firefighters killed in the line of duty serve to remind us of how precious life is and the ultimate risks that we face when we put our uniform on and we respond at fire stations across the State.”

Mr Loughlin said the CFS was in 425 locations across SA.

“It’s the only reason that rural South Australia exists,” he said.

“We couldn’t have productive rural communities without a fire service, without you, without your colleagues across the state.”

Mr Loughlin called for a one-minute silence after unveiling the plaque and laid a wreath on behalf of the Lucindale CFS family and volunteers across the State.

This article appeared in the Naracoorte Community News.

Related stories: Fire tragedy: Obituary for Louise Hincks; Fourth Lucindale fire in four years claims life.