Hour of horror
It was an hour of horror. That’s how many have described the severe storm that hit the western edge of Millicent ... In an hour’s time, the storm had uprooted trees, tore down power lines, blown roofs off, and caused widespread devastation...
Forests, fires and burns – still no consensus
Is this really how harvested forests are left? Australian Rural & Regional News looks into recent statements that highlight continuing conflicting and confusing information in the public domain about connections between forestry operations and bushfires and whether prescribed burns reduce bushfire risk.
Royal Commission’s 15 recommendations for better preparation for disasters are complete
In response to the extreme bushfire season of 2019-2020, the Royal Commission made 15 recommendations. The recommendations were released in October 2020. The 15 recommendations fell under Federal Government responsibility. They have all been implemented and completed.
Meet Maldon’s newest firefighters
In response to Black Saturday, the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission introduced new training requirements for firefighters. Locals Amanda Fedorowicz, Steven Coady and Beatrice Hercott Atkinson know all about the current training regime.
Locals recognised with National Emergency Medal: Cleeland
Staff from Mangalore-based business, Kestrel Aviation, were recently recognised with The National Emergency Medal for their services during recent fire events across the country. The National Emergency Medal is awarded to persons who rendered sustained or significant service during nationally significant emergencies in Australia.
Fire management, eucalypt ‘dieback’ and kidney disease in koalas
Vic Jurskis comments on a research article on the causes of morbidity and mortality in rescued koala joeys ... "academics don't see the big picture of forest ecology and management ... the scientific solution would be to restore frequent mild burning in the bush ... "
Making a life on the ‘continent of smoke’
Ian Osborne. As summer comes around again, our thoughts turn to the threat of bushfires. Every foreign navigator who sailed the coast of Australia, from William Dampier and Abel Tasman to Captain Cook, and later those carrying the immigrants who would settle the new south land had noted the prevalence of fire along the continent’s edge .. It was, Cook said, 'the Continent of Smoke'.
Drone helps firefighters battle silo blaze
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters battled a blaze in a grain silo at Leeton and discovered a new use for their Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), or drones, that is expected to significantly reduce the length of emergency operations. The Leeton crew is now preparing to share this newfound capability with their firefighting colleagues across the nation.
CFS and MFS joining forces
South Australia’s Country Fire Service and Metropolitan Fire Service brigades are joining forces on northern Yorke Peninsula. After a fire at Moonta Mines ... prompted some community confusion about local CFS and MFS jurisdictions ... the services announced they would adjust their response areas when needed to protect the community.
A summer reminder from CFA and RSPCA … time to consider our pets
As the summer arrives, CFA, with RSPCA Victoria, is reminding Victorians to consider their pets and livestock in their bushfire survival plan. While families should always put their own safety ahead of their pets in an emergency, it is important to have bedding, food, and water ready to go for them should a fire cause concern.
International bond helps food charity
It was a memorable occasion last Friday when local food pantry provider, Corryong FoodShare Services, offically opened its new premises in Harris Street. The honours were carried out by Member for Indi, Helen Haines, and the French Ambassador to Australia, Jean-Pierre Thebault.
Calls to rethink timber closure
Dahlsens is one of more than 40 Gippsland and Victorian businesses connected to the forestry sector who have written a letter to the Premier, Jacinta Allan, urging a rethink of the policy to close the native forest industry, arguing the decision has several direct and perverse unintended consequences. The businesses represent all aspects of the forestry supply chain, from contractors through to sawmills, processors, retailers and furniture manufacturers, and have 40,000 voting members.
Under the pump
Koondrook has a problem – the town is growing so fast and becoming so popular, it is in danger of outstripping the ability of its fire brigade to guarantee its protection. And not because there are not enough firefighters ... they just don’t have the equipment they need to protect their community.
Raintree hydrant a community effort
Alison Bennett Taylor. Denmark businesses and residents have helped bolster the community’s bushfire preparedness, funding a new hydrant that will reduce response times for volunteer firefighting brigades ... Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson unveiled the Wentworth Road hydrant which allows fire trucks to fill up from the dam at Raintree Estate in less than a minute.
Fire destroys Charlton Post Office
On a day when the celebration of recording history was being highlighted at one end of Charlton, the demise of a significant town landmark at the other end was making history when a late morning fire destroyed the Charlton Post Office.
When community recovery meets neighbourhood house . . . collaboration becomes the key
On Thursday, Neighbourhood House co-ordinators from across the Buloke Shire met with the newly appointed community recovery officers, Claire Cook, Bruce Stafford and Sam Wheelhouse, and their manager Jo Postlethwaite, to learn more about the Community Recovery Projects being rolled out in the Buloke Shire, and the potential for collaboration.
Wilcannia Town Fire Service AGM
Come across an Electric Vehicle fire – let it burn, stay upwind to avoid toxic fumes and do not approach. If you are not there on the spot when the fire starts you will not have time to rescue anyone. Lithium battery fires are almost impossible to extinguish with water alone, as are solar panels. Some EV fires have taken over 100,000 litres of water, that is about 28 truckloads for the Wilcannia brigade.
Risky start to bushfire season
Deputy Leader of the Nationals and Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy, said Labor’s fuel reduction program had become a monumental failure, with regional Victoria being left to face a long, hot, dry summer with significant vegetation growth and fuel loads on roadsides and public lands right across the state. Ms Kealy said her office continued to receive complaints from residents calling for extensive slashing of roadsides and public areas prior to summer.
Firebugs, lightning burn 15,000 square kilometres
There were a number of deliberate ignitions, mainly on roadsides, however over the past week the majority of fires are the result of lightning strikes, according to Chief Fire Control Officer Tony Fuller. “On Friday we had at least 14 new fires as a result of lightning,” he says.
Park is a testament to resilience
The culmination of hundreds of hours of volunteer contributions was recognised at the official opening of Playles Park in Corryong on Sunday. Project co-ordinator, Cathy Ross, acknowledged everyone who has played a part in the project which was a collaboration of many organisations and individuals.
Dwellingup revisted: Frank Batini
The weekend of 4/5 November 2023 was eerily similar to my experiences as a 20 year old fire-fighter at the disastrous 1961 Dwellingup fire, which burnt 200000 hectares of forest and destroyed several towns ... Multiple lightning strikes, dry, heavy fuels and strong winds eventually overwhelmed all fire-fighting efforts.
Inadequate firefighter safety in south east Australian forests: John O’Donnell
John O'Donnell believes that many of the forested fire grounds across south eastern Australia are way too dangerous to fight bushfires and for firefighter safety and that, as a society, we have learnt very little following 2019/20 bushfires and bushfires before that, especially in regards to bushfire mitigation and safety. John has identified 21 main areas of concern in relation to bushfire firefighter safety in forested areas.
All categories
About ARR.NewsACTAFLAgingAgricultureAquaculture & fishingARR.News eventArtsAthleticsBankingBasketballBeefBiodiversityBook ReviewBowlsBuilding & ConstructionBusinessCarbonCharityClimateCommunicationsConflictCottonCouncilCraftCricketCyclingDairyDamsDanceDroughte-commerceEducation & trainingEmploymentEnergyEngineeringEquestrianEventExhibitionFamilyFarmingFederal politicsFeedFertiliserFestivalFilmFireFishingFloodFloraFoodFood & BeveragesForestryGardeningGoatsGolfGrainsHealthHealthHistory & heritageHorticultureHospitalityIndigenousIndustry reportsInfrastructureInland waterwaysInternationalInternationalInterviewLand & environmentLaw & orderLetters & responsesLifeLiteratureManufacturingMarineMediaMedia ReleaseMeet the publishersMilitaryMilitary historyMiningMotorsportMurray RiverMusicNew ReleaseNewsNewsletters - SportNSWNTOpinionOut nowOut now - Archive - April 2021Out now - Archive - April 2022Out now - Archive - April 2023Out now - Archive - April 2024Out now - Archive - August 2020Out now - Archive - August 2021Out now - Archive - August 2022Out now - Archive - August 2023Out now - Archive - December 2020Out now - Archive - December 2021Out now - Archive - December 2022Out now - Archive - December 2023Out now - Archive - February 2021Out now - Archive - February 2022Out now - Archive - February 2023Out now - Archive - February 2024Out now - Archive - January 2021Out now - Archive - January 2022Out now - Archive - January 2023Out now - Archive - January 2024Out now - Archive - July 2021Out now - Archive - July 2022Out now - Archive - July 2023Out now - Archive - June 2021Out now - Archive - June 2022Out now - Archive - June 2023Out now - Archive - March 2021Out now - Archive - March 2022Out now - Archive - March 2023Out now - Archive - March 2024Out now - Archive - May 2021Out now - Archive - May 2022Out now - Archive - May 2023Out now - Archive - November 2020Out now - Archive - November 2021Out now - Archive - November 2022Out now - Archive - November 2023Out now - Archive - October 2020Out now - Archive - October 2021Out now - Archive - October 2022Out now - Archive - October 2023Out now - Archive - September 2020Out now - Archive - September 2021Out now - Archive - September 2022Out now - Archive - September 2023PaintingPerformancePetsPhotographyPicnic RacesPlaguepoetryPoliticsPopulationPoultry and eggsPowerProfilePropertyQldRacingRailReligionResearchRetailRoadsRowingRugby LeagueRugby UnionRunningSASailingSaleSculptureSheepShowsSoccerSoilSportState politicsSteelSugarSupply chainSurfingSwimmingTalkiesTasTechnologyTennisTheatreTimberTourismTradeTransportTravelTriathlonUncategorisedVicVolunteeringWAWaterWeatherWebinarWildlifeWineWoolYouth
