Major recovery works funded
Three projects in the Upper Murray have received funding under the third and final round of the Local Community Projects Grants program. The sand scrape greens at the Corryong golf course will be replaced with state-of-the-art synthetic turf ... Tintaldra Recreation Reserve is thrilled to have received funding for the revitalisation of the community facility ... Upper Murray Region Community Catering Hub to construct a shed ...
Neergabby firefighter awarded an Australian fire service medal
George Grant of Neergabby has been recognised for his years of volunteer firefighting and his mentoring of other bushfire brigade volunteers with an Australian fire service medal. Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said Mr Grant joined the Gingin West Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade in 1963, clocking up 60 years of firefighting and along the way using his knowledge to mentor those around him.
Minister briefed on local environmental concerns
Environment and Climate Action Minister Reece Whitby attended a series of meetings in Denmark last month. With Warren Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie, Mr Whitby visited local peat swamps, met with Green Skills Inc., and with several stakeholders to discuss the latest forest management plan.
Two buildings and machinery lost in Neergabby bushfire
Two buildings – a transportable home and a shed containing machinery – have been lost in the Neergabby bushfire, which the Department of Fire and Emergency Services downgraded to an advice this afternoon ... “It burnt over 500ha in the first six hours, with a total area burnt of 995ha": Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) incident controller Shaun Champ.
Brigade’s proud service record is recognised
More than 20 members of the Tintaldra Fire Brigade were recently presented with Long Service Medals by CFA Commander, Trevor Ebbels, totalling an amazing 650 years of service in total. The longest serving current member is Phillip Coysh who has been involved with the brigade for 50 years with Laurie Forrest chalking up 45 years.
Understanding the Black Summer bushfires through research: Natural Hazards Research Australia
A new report has been published that summarises the key research findings from the wide-ranging Black Summer research program, undertaken by Natural Hazards Research Australia and the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC in the years since the 2019-20 fire season. This multi-discipline program will improve the capabilities of communities to prepare for, respond to and recover from future natural hazard emergencies.
Louise remembered one year on
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.
Plumes of smoke seen for miles
Hot windy conditions last Wednesday morning led to two fires developing at Old Talgal and Pratten with smoke visible from Allora, Hendon and Deuchar. A 'Prepare to Leave" warning was issued by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Wednesday afternoon for the Old Talgai fire, which also affected Ellangowan and Victoria Hill.
Marie and Mick blaze on with BlazeAid fencing jobs
The BlazeAid camp saga continues. BlazeAid co-ordinators Cindy and Wayne Lusted were told to pack up the camp of volunteers staying at Rappville Sportsground ... Mick and Marie Evans, who were volunteers at the first BlazeAid camp in Casino are taking on the smaller jobs on the BlazeAid list and plan to finish the fencing themselves as M&M Fencing, not under the BlazeAid umbrella.
Drone lasers to pinpoint bushfire threats: Cooke
State-of-the-art colourised laser technology has been added to Fire and Rescue NSW’s (FRNSW) fleet of drones, giving firefighters the ability to more accurately identify bushfire threats. Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said the Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors will help firefighters to better manage fuel loads by mapping bushland density.
Funding for prescribed burns goes up in smoke as CFS warns of dangerous conditions: Pederick, Speirs
The CFS has warned of hot and windy conditions in coming days as it’s revealed the Malinauskas Labor Government has slashed a million dollars from the crucial prescribed burn budget, putting South Australians at greater risk during bushfire season ... "Funding for bushfire prevention to keep South Australians safe is not where you cut corners because you’re gambling with lives and this is an appalling decision by Peter Malinauskas": Leader of the Opposition David Speirs
Call for more fire power
Patricia Gill. Local bushfire management committees will respond to the State Government’s thumbs down to a review of broad-scale burning as a prime method of bushfire prevention. The Shire of Denmark will call on the Bushfire Advisory Committee and the Local Emergency Management Committee to comment on Emergency Services Minister Dawson’s letter of last September ... It follows the Shire writing to Premier Mark McGowan in August asking for a review of the prescribed burning policy and practices to ensure both were effective in protecting lives, property and the environment.
Gone to blazes – BlazeAid to pack up and leave
With a heavy heart, BlazeAid camp coordinator Cindy Lusted announced the group would be packing up and leaving Rappville and the Richmond Valley by January 20 ... “From what I’ve heard, everyone who has had BlazeAid help said their stress has subsided because their fencing has been fixed”: Rappville Commercial Hotel publican Lisa Stewart. “It is imperative BlazeAid stay.”
Firefighting choppers arrived
In preparation for summer fires, two firefighting helicopters arrived in Bendigo this week. The helicopters will be used throughout the bushfire season by Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) and Country Fire Authority (CFA) to respond to fires across Central Victoria.
Canadian firefighters support Bathurst’s forestry bushfire season: FCNSW
Forestry Corporation of NSW has welcomed five international recruits to its 2022 Bathurst seasonal program, with firefighters coming from Canada and New Zealand to join local recruits and support the organisation leading into bushfire season. Canada is particularly well represented, with four recruits making the 17 hour flight to Australia to join the team this year.
Should BlazeAid move on or stay?
The Richmond Valley Council’s acknowledgement of the work done by BlazeAid volunteers in the past three years was more like a goodbye than a thank you at the council meeting on Tuesday, December 20. And BlazeAid isn’t thrilled about it.
Shire of Ashburton first in Western Australia to use Guardian Emergency Dashboard
The Shire of Ashburton is the first local government in Western Australia to join forces with Queensland based company QIT Plus to bring a collated Emergency Dashboard resource to the community ... Having resources such as road conditions, power outages, weather warnings, river heights, airport schedules, boating forecasts, quick links and more on one accessible platform will help to inform the community and highlight how to prepare for incidents and events that impact the area.
Seeing double: critically endangered KI Dunnart detections increases three years post-wildfires
Conservationists are feeling hopeful for the future of the endangered Kangaroo Island Dunnart for the first time since the 2019/20 Black Summer fires. The newfound optimism comes after a large increase in detections of the species within the feral predator-free Western River Refuge.
Self-thinning forest understoreys and wildfire debate – closing question
In light of the discussion over many submissions on the topic of self-thinning forest understoreys and wildfire from our notable commentators - Jack Bradshaw, Philip Zylstra, Roger Underwood and Peter Rutherford - and the continuing differences of opinion, each was asked the following question, with a view to concluding the debate, at least for the time being, and hopefully on a constructive note: What more might it be useful to explore?
Opportunities to improve fuel management in NSW: John O’Donnell
John O'Donnell reviews the NSW Rural Fire Service Annual Report 2021/22 ... Unfortunately, areas of annual hazard reduction burning and mechanical reduction in NSW are both at very low rates ... Only 3.1 per cent of the NSW forested landscape has received fuel treatment over five years, this is extremely low and inadequate to reduce bushfire areas and risk. In addition, the forests with extensive hot bushfires of 2019/ 20 are now three years old and in many cases there are extensive areas of dead trees, heavy grass/ bark etc fuel and dense understoreys ...
Local firefighter recognised for community service
Emma Pritchard. After helping to keep the Clarence Valley community safe for 20 years alongside his fellow crew members from South Grafton Fire and Rescue 307 Station, Graham Richards has been recognised for his selfless contributions and dedication to his role. On December 7, the local firefighter was proudly presented with the long service and good conduct medal by Zone Commander Greg Lewis.
Early Christmas: Rural Fire Service to get new station
Long-time Weipa firefighter Tony Lankester says he’s excited about the prospect of a new station for the local fire brigade after years of lobbying for better facilities in the region. In an early Christmas present, it was announced last week that more than half a million dollars would be spent on building the new headquarters for the Western Cape Rural Fire Brigade.
