Gippslands burning again

[mcrover]

I hope all you lot down in gippy are all safe and well with the fires down there.

Statewide Current Incident Summary - Country Fire Authority (http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/incident_summary.htm)

[werdan]

It looks pretty hefty when you zoom down on the Sentinel site

Sentinel Hotspots (http://sentinel.ga.gov.au/acres/sentinel/disclaimer_B.shtml)

There's a heap of smoke blowing south over the Prom. :(

[Vern]

from what i've been told, i have lost my back yard, front yard, my camper trailer burnt to the ground, i can't get back to my home to see the damage. All i know is they saved my shed which is our house at the moment as we are about to build there. I'm so glad the wife and kids got out just in time, it started about 200m from our place. Why would some ****er want to do this, what are they achieving by setting bushland and peoples homes and lives on fire.
I will head bak up tomorrow and see if i can get in, if not will see what i can do to help the community out.:(

[dmdigital]

That's not good. Hope all is well when you do get back to the block and they catch the rotten sod that lit everything.

[Vern]

apparently they got 2 people yesterday, that were later released, but have now been charged.well thats what i heard.
Yeah its pretty nasty up there, we stayed at a friends in town last night, but had to get the kids out this morning as the smoke had settled in on the town and was very irritable.
It all started at the Liar bird walk which is about 200m from us, its very frustrating not knowing how bad it is at our place.
I guess i'll have a new thread now for the projects section when i build a new camper:(. Pity is this one was like new:mad:

[waynep]

Hope and pray all is OK ... :(

saw the smoke from the Endeavour Hills fire tonight on the way home ..... wouldn't be surprised if that was deliberate too.

[Sleepy]

It looks pretty hefty when you zoom down on the Sentinel site

Sentinel Hotspots (http://sentinel.ga.gov.au/acres/sentinel/disclaimer_B.shtml)

There's a heap of smoke blowing south over the Prom. :(

Thanks for the link Werdan. I have been trying for days to find this site. (Forgot the name.)

That looks close to rovercare's area.:o Not to far from the old man either!

[George130]

Bugger hope the damage isn't to bad.
Hope your insurance is quick to help out also Sleepy

Fire is my biggest fear for our place. Dropped a couple more trees this month and you can hardly tell where the gaps are:eek:.

[Sleepy]

Hope your insurance is quick to help out also Sleepy



Still about 20km from the old man's so should be OK - fingers crossed.
Rovercare is in South Yinnar (according to his profile) so that is very close!

[LandieMan]

Best wishes to all who have been affected. We're thinking of you across the Tasman.

Cheers, LandieMan

[Hymie]

It can't be to far from Rovercares place at all going by the radio reports.
ABC Gippsland Vic (http://www.abc.net.au/gippsland/)
Last I heard the streaming link was still operating.

[Bigbjorn]

Why is it that large areas of Gippsland burn every year? Doesn't anyone clear the built up fuel off the ground? Have preventative burns in the cooler months? My rellies in the Blue Mountains (four generations) are meticulous about cleaning their properties of timber, leaves, dry grass. Clear ground around houses or sheds. Minimum 4' brick/block stone walls around houses. They are horrified at the homes built by new residents nestled in the bush.

[moparrangie]

just got back from having a look at the fires. If the fire turns north east we are going to cop it. Looks to be burning south west at the moment,back over its self.We are all set up ready to take it on.Most of the roads closed off. Going to be a long night again. Sorry to hear of your loss Vern. Ya family is safe and thats the important thing.

[moparrangie]

AS for why it burns so well. its the best burning bush in the world. Its either to wet or to hot to burn in a controlled way.You only get about a month leeway between wet and bloody dry with winds that come from nothing in no time.

[feral]

Hope and pray all is OK ... :(

saw the smoke from the Endeavour Hills fire tonight on the way home ..... wouldn't be surprised if that was deliberate too.

The smoke from these fires is beginning to filter through the house. The wife picked it first so sent me on a mad dash outside to see if some lunatic tossed a ciggy.


Tourists are advised to avoid the following areas: The Police Paddocks Reserve, Lysterfield Lake Park and Churchill National Park

Road closures currently in place:

Churchill Park Drive and Bergins Road
Power Road and Kennington Park Drive
Churchill Park Drive and Parkside Boulevard
Resources committed to this fire are: 80 trucks 3 dozers 3 aircraft 350 personnel


Great commitment from these guys :BigThumb:

[moose]

Why is it that large areas of Gippsland burn every year? Doesn't anyone clear the built up fuel off the ground? Have preventative burns in the cooler months? My rellies in the Blue Mountains (four generations) are meticulous about cleaning their properties of timber, leaves, dry grass. Clear ground around houses or sheds. Minimum 4' brick/block stone walls around houses. They are horrified at the homes built by new residents nestled in the bush.

It's a deliberately lit fire in bushland, with pine plantations all around, who do you suggest comes to clear it?
All the locals can do is hope and be thankful for the efforts of those involved in fighting the fires.

[Vern]

my place is fairly cleared so thats why my shed was saved, and Brian, its mainly pine plantation and state park, who's expected to clear that, its 44 bloody degrees here:(.
Matt's actually up at Jeerelang, spoke to him earlier and its still miles away, his old mans is at yinnar south, but there is a fair bit of farming land between so all should be ok.
Oh and camper was un insured:(:(, we were talking about it the week before as our contents would not cover it.
Hey its only money and time to replace it, its more about my family and memories and documents of our kids and paperwork for our business thats a concern.
If its unlivable short term, then Matt (rovercare) has offered us his house which we are very very appreciative of.
Wait and see what happens

[Bigbjorn]

It's a deliberately lit fire in bushland, with pine plantations all around, who do you suggest comes to clear it?
All the locals can do is hope and be thankful for the efforts of those involved in fighting the fires.

Perhaps the Forestry Dept. or whatever it is called in Victoria? They have reduction burns in state forests here. Perhaps land owners might have a vested interest in keeping their land clean also? Might save their homes if there is no fuel and there is plenty of open space around the house.

[Sleepy]

Why is it that large areas of Gippsland burn every year? Doesn't anyone clear the built up fuel off the ground? Have preventative burns in the cooler months? My rellies in the Blue Mountains (four generations) are meticulous about cleaning their properties of timber, leaves, dry grass. Clear ground around houses or sheds. Minimum 4' brick/block stone walls around houses. They are horrified at the homes built by new residents nestled in the bush.

G'day Brian,

Gippsland is a big area (33,000 sq Km). Much of it is remote. Parts of it burn each year. The big fires a few years back (2004?) were pretty much left to run their course. Remote areas - protect lives, then property - the rest can burn.

I'm not suggesting there shouldn't be proactive managment - Burn offs etc.

My point is, you hear more about Gippsland fires because it is a larger and more remote (in parts) area than the Blue Mountains.

I am sure there are many meticlous Gippslanders.

Cheers

[toey1977]

My wifes family (aunty) defended their home in boolarra tonight with the C.F.A, the saved the house and they are pretty much in town, so all is good for them although he lost his old trusty ute. And we have had a lot of burning of down here over the year, but it is very remote country in spots and if it isnt the pine plantations stock it up with hundreds of acres of pine trees which love to burn hot and fast. and it been bloody hot here....

[rangieman]

My deceased dads house is in boolarra , My brother that lives there has been evacuated , No word on the house yet :eek:

[Vern]

Chris i'm guessing that its more the houses on the outskirts than to where your brother is, so hopefully all goes well for him ( and you)

[Vern]

Perhaps the Forestry Dept. or whatever it is called in Victoria? They have reduction burns in state forests here. Perhaps land owners might have a vested interest in keeping their land clean also? Might save their homes if there is no fuel and there is plenty of open space around the house.
No fuel, good one. bull doze it concrete eveything hey. Don't mean to sound rude, but have you actually been to Gippsland. I'm just taking a wild guess here, but it may be a bit more 'bushy' than inner east brisbane:(.
From what you are saying is that its our fault these bush fires happen? Well my 3 acre block was pretty well maintaned, had about .8 of an acre of bush at the back, which is now all gone, the rest was basically grass, which i mowed a few days prior, most of which i gone, when and if i get home and my things are ok, i will post some before and after photo's.

[rovercare]

Been for a morning snoop, roads still blocked, still burning at the back of Yinnar and towards Mirboo north, a fair way away from my old mans, and further again from my place

Seems to have blown back over itself, but its going to be another hot day, hopefully without to much wind

The fire was lit, these discraces for human being should be hog tied and left to burn, every bloody year around here, there is donkeys lighting fires:(, they get charged, then let off, unless there is a witness or they own up, there isn;t enough proof:mad:, I think public justice is deserved

[rangieman]

Chris i'm guessing that its more the houses on the outskirts than to where your brother is, so hopefully all goes well for him ( and you)
Thanks Damien , The house is in the centre of the town but its also on top of a hill so i hope the embers dont get it:cool:
Im keeping in ph contact with my brother , dont know why im bothering as he,s been evacuated , so he knows as much as me about the house:eek:

[Bigbjorn]

No fuel, good one. bull doze it concrete eveything hey. Don't mean to sound rude, but have you actually been to Gippsland. I'm just taking a wild guess here, but it may be a bit more 'bushy' than inner east brisbane:(.
From what you are saying is that its our fault these bush fires happen? Well my 3 acre block was pretty well maintaned, had about .8 of an acre of bush at the back, which is now all gone, the rest was basically grass, which i mowed a few days prior, most of which i gone, when and if i get home and my things are ok, i will post some before and after photo's.

Well, the Great Dividing Range from Cape York to almost Melbourne is pretty heavily forested most of the way, but only a few areas seem to regularly have huge fires. Gippsland and the Blue mountains in particular. I was asking why is this so. Qld. Forestry and the National Parks people regularly have reduction burns so why not others. If these bodies are not keeping your bushland clean around populated areas then questions should be asked. Likewise the property owners. They should be keeping as much clear space around their homes as possible. I know people like to live in twee little bushland retreats nestled in the scrub but such situations are plainly stupid in areas where the fire hazards are real and regular. I know the trouble my Blue Mountain rellies go to in regard to reducing fire risk. They hold pretty poor opinions of neighbours who don't.

[rovercare]

Well, the Great Dividing Range from Cape York to almost Melbourne is pretty heavily forested most of the way, but only a few areas seem to regularly have huge fires. Gippsland and the Blue mountains in particular. I was asking why is this so. Qld. Forestry and the National Parks people regularly have reduction burns so why not others. If these bodies are not keeping your bushland clean around populated areas then questions should be asked. Likewise the property owners. They should be keeping as much clear space around their homes as possible. I know people like to live in twee little bushland retreats nestled in the scrub but such situations are plainly stupid in areas where the fire hazards are real and regular. I know the trouble my Blue Mountain rellies go to in regard to reducing fire risk. They hold pretty poor opinions of neighbours who don't.

They dont reduction burn radiata pine and blue gum plantations;)

[clean32]

Guys Keep posting, I know nothing about Bush fires ( i know about exstreme cold), so what do you do if you get cought in a fire area. i saw on TV sty in your car. and one one movie thay said doint run up hill.

Keeping you property clear, is that cutting down trees or more?

[Sleepy]

Another hot day forecast. Glad to see it's not "in your back yard" Rovercare and hope your brother and family stay safe Rangieman.

Hopefully the thunderstorms predicted will just dump water :)and not too many wind squalls and lightening.:o (Probably a little optimistic of me!:angel:)

[Bigbjorn]

They dont reduction burn radiata pine and blue gum plantations;)

I understand you cant have fires in pine but what about keeping surrounds clean to possibly limit spread?

[rangieman]

I understand you cant have fires in pine but what about keeping surrounds clean to possibly limit spread?
Are you for real:eek: , These were deliberate lit fires it would,nt matter how much was cleared in these forest,s or surrounds.
Now does the blame fall on the owners of the plantations because they didnt burn back or clear fallen branches , What about the tossers that lit them they had a agender to lite fires:twisted: Ill give them more than the goverment would;)

[350RRC]

For those with broadband:

MODIS Rapid Response System - FAS_SEAustralia3 Subset - Aqua 250m True Color image for 2009/030 (01/30/09) (http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/subsets/index.php'subset=FAS_SEAustralia3.2009030.aqua.250 m)



cheers, DL

[Graz]

from what i've been told, i have lost my back yard, front yard, my camper trailer burnt to the ground, i can't get back to my home to see the damage. All i know is they saved my shed which is our house at the moment as we are about to build there. I'm so glad the wife and kids got out just in time, it started about 200m from our place. Why would some ****er want to do this, what are they achieving by setting bushland and peoples homes and lives on fire.
I will head bak up tomorrow and see if i can get in, if not will see what i can do to help the community out.:(

Sorry to see your loss. I don't get what goes through the heads of these mongrels, maybe its a power thing to bring out the emergency services.
To my mind they are nothing more than terrorists and should charged under that legislation. Or give them to the firies to administer the punishment.
90% of the fires I have been called out to so far this year have been arson.

[Bushie]

Thanks Damien , The house is in the centre of the town but its also on top of a hill so i hope the embers dont get it:cool:
Im keeping in ph contact with my brother , dont know why im bothering as he,s been evacuated , so he knows as much as me about the house:eek:

I hope all goes well for him, unfortunately being in the middle of town won't be a guarantee, ember attack is the major cause of house loss, and houses can be vulnerable many kilometres from the actual fire. Naturally the closer you are the greater the risk. Householders should put significant effort into ember proofing their home.


Well, the Great Dividing Range from Cape York to almost Melbourne is pretty heavily forested most of the way, but only a few areas seem to regularly have huge fires. Gippsland and the Blue mountains in particular. I was asking why is this so.

If you draw a line from around Port Macquarie (NSW) across to Adelaide that is about the most fire prone area in the world. Whilst fires can start from many causes most have some human involvement (and not always maliceous) the further from 'civilisation' the less likely a fire starting. Vegetation type also plays a significant role, whether it is dry or wet schlerophyll. Whilst wet schlerophyll will (and does) burn conditions have to be much more severe (drier) for it to happen. The further north you go the moister the bush tend to be, until you get into the tropics proper when you have wet/dry seasons



Qld. Forestry and the National Parks people regularly have reduction burns so why not others. If these bodies are not keeping your bushland clean around populated areas then questions should be asked. Likewise the property owners. They should be keeping as much clear space around their homes as possible. I know people like to live in twee little bushland retreats nestled in the scrub but such situations are plainly stupid in areas where the fire hazards are real and regular. I know the trouble my Blue Mountain rellies go to in regard to reducing fire risk. They hold pretty poor opinions of neighbours who don't.

I commend your rellies for their efforts, however as you have stated many people do little, because they want to live in the bush and are prepared to take the risk (some are just oblivious to the risk). This has the effect of reducing the effectiveness of the preparation of those around them.
Hazard reduction burning is not as simple as it seems on the surface, there is very narrow set of fuel conditions within which HR will be effective. If it's too wet then obviously it wont burn but too dry and it will be too difficult to control, some of the larger HR's need to be undertaken over a number of days, and hence need a set of stable weather conditions for a longer period. Not much point in lighting up a fire if in a few days time it is going to be hot and windy. Even with the best of conditions the amount of HR that can be done is a drop in the bucket compared to the area of bush that may burn.


Guys Keep posting, I know nothing about Bush fires ( i know about exstreme cold), so what do you do if you get cought in a fire area. i saw on TV sty in your car. and one one movie thay said doint run up hill. Keeping you property clear, is that cutting down trees or more?

What to do depends on where you are.
If at home then stay in the house especially if its well prepared, if not then you should have made the decision to leave well before the fire came through. Many bushfire fatalities occur with people deciding to evacuate too late, and getting caught in bushland between their home and a safe refuge.

If in a car then stay in the car in as clear an area as possible, the fuel tank won't explode, but tha amount of plastics in a modern car mean conditions inside may not be tenable and may drive you out (out of the pan into the fire)
On foot fire will definitely move faster and hotter uphill, hence why you don't run uphill, you should try and move downhill across the fire (towards the edges). Remember in a bush fire it is the radiant heat that will get you, before the fire does.

Have a look here.

Deciding to stay and defend, or leave early - NSW Rural Fire Service (http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/dsp_content.cfm?cat_id=1214) or

Living in the Bush, Residents - Country Fire Authority (http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/residents/living/index.htm)




Are you for real:eek: , These were deliberate lit fires it would,nt matter how much was cleared in these forest,s or surrounds.
Now does the blame fall on the owners of the plantations because they didnt burn back or clear fallen branches , What about the tossers that lit them they had a agender to lite fires:twisted: Ill give them more than the goverment would;)

Has it been proven they were deliberately lit ?? As more fires get investigated many more varied causes come to the front, however incendiarism is a significant cause. I can't comment on Vic but basically in NSW if you own the fuel you own the problem, and have to take measure to prevent a fire occurring on or leaving your land.


Martyn

[Bushie]

For those with broadband:

MODIS Rapid Response System - FAS_SEAustralia3 Subset - Aqua 250m True Color image for 2009/030 (01/30/09) (http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/subsets/index.php'subset=FAS_SEAustralia3.2009030.aqua.250 m)



cheers, DL

When you look at that, you start to realise just how little bush there actually is.


Martyn

[moose]

I understand you cant have fires in pine but what about keeping surrounds clean to possibly limit spread?

Fires can spot for several kilometres around, how much do your rellies clear?

[The ho har's]

I hope you all are safe and speared of any/total loss...I have been involved in the Qld RFS for over 15 yeas and ho har for 23yrs we understand how heart wrenching this is for any bushfire too strike but particularly when someone starts one


Please stay safe


Mrs ho har

[Teks]

from what i've been told, i have lost my back yard, front yard, my camper trailer burnt to the ground, i can't get back to my home to see the damage. All i know is they saved my shed which is our house at the moment as we are about to build there. I'm so glad the wife and kids got out just in time, it started about 200m from our place. Why would some ****er want to do this, what are they achieving by setting bushland and peoples homes and lives on fire.
I will head bak up tomorrow and see if i can get in, if not will see what i can do to help the community out.:(

Vern, my heart goes out to you and your community.

Can some of us in Melbourne help you, your neighbours or local community by coming over to -

clean up damaged/burnt property
create fire breaks around farms or
perhaps
even assist with defending local farms and houses under ember attack?

I am led to believe that many farming families are on their own (ie 2-3 person households) trying to secure their properties downwind of a blaze. Despite having firefighting equipment (pumps and 1000Lt trailer tanks etc) they don't have enough hands"on board" to use it as the locals are defending their own places or are out with the local brigade elsewhere.
I have found many 4WDers like myself (particularly in the 3 clubs I am in) who have past CFA/Bushfire suppression experience and if asked would pitch in to help.

[mcrover]

from what i've been told, i have lost my back yard, front yard, my camper trailer burnt to the ground, i can't get back to my home to see the damage. All i know is they saved my shed which is our house at the moment as we are about to build there. I'm so glad the wife and kids got out just in time, it started about 200m from our place. Why would some ****er want to do this, what are they achieving by setting bushland and peoples homes and lives on fire.
I will head bak up tomorrow and see if i can get in, if not will see what i can do to help the community out.:(

Soeey to hear that mate, glad the family are all ok and hope it all works out ok for you.


Hope and pray all is OK ... :(

saw the smoke from the Endeavour Hills fire tonight on the way home ..... wouldn't be surprised if that was deliberate too.

That fire was started by a minor car accident at the Churchill park golf club.

It has burned all around the clubhouse and into the national park where it took off and of course there are houses built right to the trees.

Oh and by the way, there is a 9 metre fire break around the national park up there and they have controlled burns but still it went up like a box of matches......because it was 45deg and sqwally winds.

[rovercare]

Couple of pics, messaged to me from Vern, his trailer and yard

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/02/1495.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/02/1496.jpg

[mcrover]

A quick sand blast and a coat of paint, some new tyres and as good as new.......for an Ebay special.:eek:

Thats pretty crap when some low life went and lit the bloody thing.

[hodgo]

My sincere feeling go out to all that have lots property or are suffering from these fires. I can honestly say I have a fist hand knowledge of what you are all going through.
In 1965 at this time of year I was a 18 year old soldier at Puckapunyal, Gippsland was ablaze then on an 80 mile fire front. Puckapunyal sent every available soldier, vehicle and equipment that was available.
Ten days of working out of, Bairnsdale. I will never forget the day we fought to save a farm's home, right on the edge of a forrest, with many large gum trees that were exploding like bombs going off, the roar of the crown fire, feeding the ground fire, all this causes wind which makes the fire jump and dart about in a very terrifying way and the radiated heat could be felt several hundred yards away and smoke and sparks all make it imposable to have or gain any control overit. All the team I was with were in fear for our own saftey we were young and never experienced any thing like it. But the fear the lady and the two kids went through I will never forget. There are no words to describe the fear and state of mind that those two kids suffered that day.
I don't blame the authority's for evacuating or not allowing people into a fire zone.

I hope all our members in gippsland come through this with as little trauma as possible.

Hodgo

[Ralph1Malph]

I hope that all those affected survive and that they come out of it relatively intact, but I have to ask, why can the rest of Aus set their clocks to the wild/bush fires in VIC/SA?
What is different about VIC/SA that makes them burn every Jan/Feb?
I spent a lot of the past 10 yrs in Vic and I firmly believe that Vic seasons should be Autumn, Winter, Spring and Fire!
Agree, heat is a catalyst, but Coober Pedy, Alice and Renmark have similar temps and don't burn as readily.
Again, I don't wish ill upon those affected, just can't fathom it!

Ralph

[rangieman]

I hope that all those affected survive and that they come out of it relatively intact, but I have to ask, why can the rest of Aus set their clocks to the wild/bush fires in VIC/SA?
What is different about VIC/SA that makes them burn every Jan/Feb?
I spent a lot of the past 10 yrs in Vic and I firmly believe that Vic seasons should be Autumn, Winter, Spring and Fire!
Agree, heat is a catalyst, but Coober Pedy, Alice and Renmark have similar temps and don't burn as readily.
Again, I don't wish ill upon those affected, just can't fathom it!

Ralph

Cooper Pedy and the Alice dont have bush like we do in vic thats not a hard one to work out;)

[Sleepy]

but Coober Pedy....don't burn as readily.


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/02/1497.jpg

VS



https://www.aulro.com/afvb/


:spudnikwhat:






Q:What do you call a bushfire in Coober Pedy?
A: When both trees catch alight!

[Vern]

thanks for posting the pics matt, camper looks alot worse than it actually is, got escorted out to my place for an hour yesterday to get supplies, have to praise the cfa, did a great job, besides the camper we only lost the back yard and a bit of the front. Will try get back out todayand will stay there for good, will post some real pics up when our internet is restored, using my phone kind of sucks!

[rovercare]

I hope that all those affected survive and that they come out of it relatively intact, but I have to ask, why can the rest of Aus set their clocks to the wild/bush fires in VIC/SA?
What is different about VIC/SA that makes them burn every Jan/Feb?
I spent a lot of the past 10 yrs in Vic and I firmly believe that Vic seasons should be Autumn, Winter, Spring and Fire!
Agree, heat is a catalyst, but Coober Pedy, Alice and Renmark have similar temps and don't burn as readily.
Again, I don't wish ill upon those affected, just can't fathom it!

Ralph


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/02/1497.jpg

VS



http://rubio.id.au/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/gippsland.jpg


:spudnikwhat:






Q:What do you call a bushfire in Coober Pedy?
A: When both trees catch alight!

I think that about sums up the stupidity in your question perfectly;)

[Bushie]

I hope that all those affected survive and that they come out of it relatively intact, but I have to ask, why can the rest of Aus set their clocks to the wild/bush fires in VIC/SA?
What is different about VIC/SA that makes them burn every Jan/Feb?
I spent a lot of the past 10 yrs in Vic and I firmly believe that Vic seasons should be Autumn, Winter, Spring and Fire!
Agree, heat is a catalyst, but Coober Pedy, Alice and Renmark have similar temps and don't burn as readily.
Again, I don't wish ill upon those affected, just can't fathom it!

Ralph

Fire seasons move down the east coast of Australia with the sun, ie on the north coast of NSW the most likely time for bushfires is September into October. Their fire season is usually over by November when the summer rains arrive. Around Sydney the fire season will build during late October and then taper off during January, Vic gets its seasons Late December through to February. The later the season normally the more severe as forest fuels have had more time to dry out and then burn during the hotter weather.

BOM - Australian Climate Extremes-Fire (http://www.bom.gov.au/lam/climate/levelthree/c20thc/fire.htm)

http://www.bom.gov.au/lam/climate/levelthree/c20thc/events/fireseasons.gif

Some of the largest fires (area) occur in the tropics due to the annual build grass (savannah) growth, in fact northern Qld fire authorities burn millions of hectares each year from aircraft.
In central aus there is rarely the amount of fuel to allow major fires (this year may be different maybe Phantum could comment ?)

As I stated earlier the SE of Aus is one of (if not the) most fire prone areas in the world.

Heat isn't the catalyst, it is just one of the factors. The single most important factor is the moisture content of the fuels. It would be very hard to get any significant fire burning on a 40 degree day if it had been preceeded by 5 days of very wet weather.

Hazard reduction, should also not be regarded as a silver bullet, it's not designed to stop fires, but to reduce the intensity of a fire and hence give more control options to fire authorities. This will increase the potential for house survival at the same time.
On really bad fire days the energy release from hazard reduced areas may still be too high for firefighters to effectively intervene. ie 1994 and 2001 in NSW.


Martyn

[ivery819]

Thanks Martyn
A measured and factual response to what I assume was a valid question.

[Pierre]

Glad to hear that no people were hurt in the Strezlecki fires and the things that have been lost can be replaced.

Cath & I send our best wishes to those affected and hope relief comes soon.

But it's not over yet...

Stay cool

Pete

[Bushie]

Couple of pics, messaged to me from Vern, his trailer and yard

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/02/1495.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/02/1496.jpg


I hope everything works out OK re insurance.
Over the years I have heard some conflicting stories from people who have lost everything during bush fires.

With trailers I have heard that generally they will not be covered under household insurance, and because they weren't being towed at the time they are not covered by your motor vehicle insurance.

I assume that farm insurance would be different, and they would be covered.

As I said hope it all works out OK - at least you wont have to worry about bush fires for a couple of years.



Martyn

[George130]

With trailers I have heard that generally they will not be covered under household insurance, and because they weren't being towed at the time they are not covered by your motor vehicle insurance.


You can get seperate trailer insurance.
Our box trailer is insured for $1000.
It is also covered if it has it's own at fault accident:eek:.

[rovercare]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/02/1485.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/02/1486.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/02/1487.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/02/1488.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/02/1489.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/02/1490.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/02/1491.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/02/1492.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/02/1493.jpg

[mcrover]

I hope that all those affected survive and that they come out of it relatively intact, but I have to ask, why can the rest of Aus set their clocks to the wild/bush fires in VIC/SA?
What is different about VIC/SA that makes them burn every Jan/Feb?
I spent a lot of the past 10 yrs in Vic and I firmly believe that Vic seasons should be Autumn, Winter, Spring and Fire!
Agree, heat is a catalyst, but Coober Pedy, Alice and Renmark have similar temps and don't burn as readily.
Again, I don't wish ill upon those affected, just can't fathom it!

Ralph

Well or 100 years or more they were allowing cattle to remove the undergrowth in the bush up there but apparently that is bad for the enviroment but back then even though they had fires it was faught with napsacks, wet hessian bags and fire rakes, now days they still have trouble controling it with 100s of millions of $ worth of aircraft and ground crews with state of the art equipment.

The cattle didnt remove the threat altogether but they made access much better and it made for much slower bunring fires which were much easier to contain.

I cant fathum how allowing a fire to burn with such intensity that it removes everything and sterilizes the soil so nothing grows for decades is good for the enviroment but apparently, more intelegent people than me and others with the same veiws no better so have cancelled leases.

This is just one reason why it is worse now than it has been in the past, lack of access to management tracks by the public so that they grow over and limiting movement of native animals by fencing in is also part of the problem IMHO.

[rovercare]

Apparently they've charged one..........21year old CFA member:(

[rangieman]

Apparently they've charged one..........21year old CFA member:(
Sorry to say , this seems to be the case with a few of the arsons invovled in fires :eek:

[rovercare]

Sorry to say , this seems to be the case with a few of the arsons invovled in fires :eek:

You get those pics of your old mans house?

[rangieman]

You get those pics of your old mans house?
Yeah cheers mate my brother is home now , he said there is a couple of burnt patches on the lawn from embers thats it :cool:
Thanks again Matt for going out of your way:D (or sicky beaking);)

[rovercare]

Yeah cheers mate my brother is home now , he said there is a couple of burnt patches on the lawn from embers thats it :cool:
Thanks again Matt for going out of your way:D (or sicky beaking);)

I love a good snoop around:angel:

[rangieman]

Oh im going to whoop my slack ass brothers **** , A few things came to light with the fires id rather not talk about at the moment:cool:

[Bushie]

Well or 100 years or more they were allowing cattle to remove the undergrowth in the bush up there but apparently that is bad for the enviroment but back then even though they had fires it was faught with napsacks, wet hessian bags and fire rakes, now days they still have trouble controling it with 100s of millions of $ worth of aircraft and ground crews with state of the art equipment.

With some fires it will never matter what type of equipment/manpower is available, as they will be too intense. The intensity of fires is measured in kW/m (ie how many kilowatts is released per metre of fire front) The 1983 Ash Wednesday fires were in the order of 110,000KW/m - just think about trying to stop even 1km of that amount of energy release. Fires in eucalypt forest use a process called spotting to spread, where embers blown ahead of the fire start a new fire, there is documented evidence of this occurring from the NSW coast out to Gabo Island. Even with aircraft and 'state of the art' equipment it all comes down to a man/woman on the ground who has to go in an finish the job. Over my 37 years involvement with fire fighting I've come to appreciate that a fire fighter has to have many qualities, being suicidal isn't one of them.


The cattle didnt remove the threat altogether but they made access much better and it made for much slower bunring fires which were much easier to contain.

I'm not going to debate or question this, but unfortunately cattle have been removed from many areas (whether it applies to these fires I don't know). However from the photos posted by Rovercare these weren't particularly high intensity fires (evidenced by the amount of tree canopy left) but they were probably still too intense to stand in front of, hence the reliance on aircraft. Vic was no doubt lucky they weren't accompanied by strong winds and a change (as the Ash Wednesday fire were)


I cant fathum how allowing a fire to burn with such intensity that it removes everything and sterilizes the soil so nothing grows for decades is good for the enviroment but apparently, more intelegent people than me and others with the same veiws no better so have cancelled leases.

Believe me there will be grass coming through after the fires rain. In 1994 there were concerns that The Royal National Park just south of Sydney would never recover from this,
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/02/1470.jpg

but it did, and rapidly. Areas that are slow growing, like the high country will naturally take longer to recover, but even if the soil is sterilised (to some depth) it gets recolonised. Some species such as mountain ash need fire to kill the parent tree to allow the seedlings to grow, too frequent fires are a problem. Eucalypts also recover via lignotubers and epicormic buds or they may be prolific seeders.


This is just one reason why it is worse now than it has been in the past, lack of access to management tracks by the public so that they grow over and limiting movement of native animals by fencing in is also part of the problem IMHO.

Limiting access to management trails doesn't necessarily mean they will grow over, if they grow over it's either due to poor maintenance, or they want them to grow over. In the coroners report on the 2003 Canberra fires lack of access was highlighted, but lets be honest what we may see as a good 4WD track isn't going to make a good control/acces track for firefighting resources and vice versa.


Martyn

[ivery819]

Areas that are slow growing, like the high country will naturally take longer to recover, but even if the soil is sterilised (to some depth) it gets recolonised. Some species such as mountain ash need fire to kill the parent tree to allow the seedlings to grow, too frequent fires are a problem. Eucalypts also recover via lignotubers and epicormic buds or they may be prolific seeders.
Martyn

What appears to be happening in the Snowy Mountains is shown in this photo I took a few weeks ago on the Geehi Walls Trail. The original timber regeneration (if any )is being choked out by the understorey of new rubbish. It will be a miracle if there is not another fire in the near future with even more devastation.
The 'experts' are predicting that we will end up with a weedy area with a limited timber mono-culture that is nothing like the beautiful alpine forests of old.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/02/1469.jpg (http://www.aulro.com/app/showphoto.php/photo/12804)

[Hymie]

And it's no wonder there have been fires, I'm just astounded there haven't been more. Sunday of the Australia day weekend I was taking a tour through Coopers Creek near Walhalla.
From memory the day was a warm 35 or so degrees and the Thomson River at Coopers had around 100 or so people swimming. With about 10 4WD's parked bumper deep in the river, (why any sane person would PARK in 600mm of water is beyond me).
At one campsite we went past there was a fire around 3 meters across and piled about a meter high with wood burning merrily away with not a soul in sight.
I stopped and removed a Jerry of petrol and 3 Motorcycles from 5 meters to about 25 meters away from the blaze and looked for some water to damp it down with.
A Parks Vic ranger turned up and started abusing ME as he though it was my fire. I set him straight and he called the Fireys to put it out. While he was there he took the rego's of the cars parked at the site.
Me, I hope somebody go's to jail for being an irresponsible *****.

[EchiDna]

glad to see all are ok from the AULRO gippy clan :)

As for post fire recoveries, well it is dependent on when the rain comes. after studying bush recovery post fires and also having first hand experience living through the ash wednesday fires of 1983, I can say that we had about 150mm of ash on the ground and no re-growth for about three months, excluding the trees which were shooting out new growth about 2 weeks after the fire - this is a big risk period for any surviving stock as they have little to eat except the fresh growth on the trees and they might just force themselves to eat it, poisoning themselves.

Since 1983, certain species did not recover as well as others (i.e. softwood species like blackwood), but the biggest difference was the emergence of weed species in the initial re-growth period - capeweed, foxgloves, scotch thistles, blackberries and gauze were everywhere, but the native grasses (excluding the blackberries) have won the battle during through the prevailing dry periods and now the property is almost entirely endemic species once again. The odd pinus crapiata has sprung up, but they die each winter :)

good luck with the cleanup guys, I'd be there to lend a hand if I was close by....

[bussy1963]

To our gippsland friends

Being a ex Maffra boy i can understand what your going thru currently.

I did 20 years as a volunteer with the C.F.A. and yeah it was bloody heartbreaking seeing people loss property.

As for the guy in East Brizvegas say do fuel reduction burns well he has a point in some areas yeah might be ok but if they tried it in pine plantations well most of know what inpact on the economy that would have.

Pine and Gum trees are the most volatile timbers when they get a match near them. No jobs for timber workers or even A.P.M paper if we loss the plantations.

I have it on good authority that the police know who lit the bloody fire but there just gathering more evidence before they haul his ass in. This info was given to me from a serving member and mate of mine in the valley.

Also i think the Victorian members should organize a day to go to the affected area and give a helping hand to our fellow members cleanup or whatever is required. Maybe in a few weeks would be the best time.

LETS DO IT GUYS.

[Pierre]

Happy to do what we can to help - just call.

Pete

[bussy1963]

Ok everybody

Lets aim for a trip to help out our fellow Gippsland members. i was thinking maybe the weekend of 7 and 8th of march. Expression of interests would be great. Possible meeting point Longwarry Service Centre east bound on highway.


If the Gippsland guys know of anyone in need of a hand let us know.

[rangieman]

Ok everybody

Lets aim for a trip to help out our fellow Gippsland members. i was thinking maybe the weekend of 7 and 8th of march. Expression of interests would be great. Possible meeting point Longwarry Service Centre east bound on highway.


If the Gippsland guys know of anyone in need of a hand let us know.
Yep put me down for a helping hand;)

[Pierre]

And us, me, son, kids.

Equipment?

Pete

[mcrover]

Couldnt be a worse weekend for me, I have to work and be on call that weekend, one of our biggest comps, but if the date changes then I will be in:D

[Vern]

Apparently they've charged one..........21year old CFA member:(
Apparently thats not true, but police know who it is, and are parked outside their house, once they have all the evidence togother then they will proceed further. They were spotted by people in my estate lighting fires:mad:

[Vern]

Anyway back home now, online again, and have started the clean up. Dropped around 20 trees today, get in before the council stops me. Bloody rubber neckers though, wish they would bugger off.
I'll be in though to help out those in need, Our place will be fine, just a spot of gardening to do, nothing a bob cat can't fix:)

[justinc]

Damien,

Good to hear you are back and into the cleanup. wish we were closer, a working bee/ helping hand is needed for many I think:(

Keep your chin up:)

JC

[Vern]

Thanks JC, as bad as it all is, i'm actually looking forward to the clean up, these mongrels have saved me alot of work with all the underscrub:).
Will go and pick up the Isuzu powered tractor (rangie)off Matt this week to start dragging things around and a couple of news chains for the saws will be needed:D

[rovercare]

Bloody rubber neckers though, wish they would bugger off.


Hey!:p

Your just jealous I got to your place before you did:angel::wasntme:

[Vern]

So you lit it then:mad:;)

[rovercare]

So you lit it then:mad:;)

If I lit it, would of made sure your ute was in it:D

[bussy1963]

Hi Again

In regards to helping out our fellow members in Gippsland if they could let us know of any equipment requirements they need would be great. I.E chainsaws ect.

thanks for the positive response to those who have made themselves available.

[Teks]

re helping out at Gippsland - the Rural Emergency Response Group of Victoria Four Wheel Drive along with various 4WD clubs will be assisting within a couple of weeks time once the local shire emergency managers have finished assessing what help is required.

The Rural Emergency Response Group has replaced many 100s of kilometres of burnt farm fencing over the years.

They are now waiting forthe go word to do it all again.!

If you want to help make a difference, I strongly suggest you join / contact your local 4WD club who will be part of the coordinated task force.

See you on the tracks,

tektrek
LROCV
Community Emergency Response Group Coordinator

[bussy1963]

Ok.

Thanks for the information. Was unaware of such a group.

[Vern]

If I lit it, would of made sure your ute was in it:DSo you do care:)

[rovercare]

So you do care:)

:wub:

You just take care of that rangie of mine;):p

[Vern]

I'll take particular care of the rear diff:D

I actually enjoy driving it:)

[rovercare]

I'll take particular care of the rear diff:D

I actually enjoy driving it:)

:DJust imagine when you build yours....................in 20??:angel::p

[rovercare]

Wow this one was a little closer to home, and **** has it spread:eek:, just talking to my brother who is in Ararat, its burning in the town of Traralgon south where he lives, he was talking to a bloke from Callignee, saying he knows about a dozen houses gone out there:(

Its ****ing huge:(

[Vern]

So did it turn back on you?
Just found out my best mates sister lost there house in Wandong:(

[rovercare]

So did it turn back on you?
Just found out my best mates sister lost there house in Wandong:(

Nah, was heading this way, has now turned on itself here, pretty close, all up the back of Churchill

http://sentinel2.ga.gov.au/Sentinel/imf.jsp

[Vern]

linky not worky

[rovercare]

linky not worky

google sentinel and follow it to the purty piktures;)

[justinc]

just saw your post Matt, rang my friends in Traralgon who had their car packed and were getting ready to go earlier this afternoon, staying put at present but outside watching the yard etc. :o

Heres hoping all you affected by this take care of yourselves first, property second.

JC and family.

JC

[Vern]

did that, bit hard to follow. cfa is better when they actually put it up. Might come over for a spin tomorrow after work, see what wifey's plans are:(

[rovercare]

just saw your post Matt, rang my friends in Traralgon who had their car packed and were getting ready to go earlier this afternoon, staying put at present but outside watching the yard etc. :o

Heres hoping all you affected by this take care of yourselves first, property second.

JC and family.

JC

Yea, my old lady has the borthers kid and Dog, so that's the major concern, just me here, so no big deal there and looks to be staying away.....for now

[rovercare]

did that, bit hard to follow. cfa is better when they actually put it up. Might come over for a spin tomorrow after work, see what wifey's plans are:(

You suck at tha interweb:p

Got my picture taken today, rode the bike up the hill to see what was going on and some dude popped out the bushes on the side of the road and took a pic, I waved:D

Then a mate said they were looking for me:eek: so went down and seen a piglet down the road and left my details, arrogant bugger:mad:, didn;t like when I said the bike wasn;t regoed, I told him I think there is greater worries than that, just thought I'd say it was me:D

One thing I've noticed some of the coppers are Great, some, well:(

Especially the one that said to my mate and missus that came here to pick his car up, you can;t go in, fire has raged around that court and he had to run to get out!, ****ing idiot:mad:

[Vern]

Yeah a lot of b.s is said, dse are pretty funny aswell.

[Disco300Tdi]

Speaking of the little green men

Here is a link to their site

http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/fires/updates/report/index2.htm'time=Sat%20Feb%207%2015:20:09%20UTC+110 0%202009

Not looking good at all, now the wind has changed direction we are choking with all the smoke from the fires

[Sleepy]

very nasty day.:(

Hot windy and......... :twisted:

Hope the wind change does't create too much havoc.

Good luck and best wishes to all in the bush.

Remember to look after you and you family first ! The rest can be replaced.

[Bushie]

very nasty day.:(

Hot windy and......... :twisted:

Hope the wind change does't create too much havoc.

Good luck and best wishes to all in the bush.

Remember to look after you and you family first ! The rest can be replaced.

Unfortunately that is probably exactly what it will do, at least for a few hours.


Martyn

[Vern]

well they charged the ***** who started these fires on friday, has court tomorrow, he was there first major suspect, lives around the corner from me. Nice:mad: http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25799143-2862,00.html

[Sleepy]

well they charged the ***** who started these fires on friday, has court tomorrow, he was there first major suspect, lives around the corner from me. Nice:mad: Man charged over the Delburn Complex fires | Herald Sun (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25799143-2862,00.html)

Yes - very sick thing to do. If found guilty, I hope they throw the book at him.