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Dept Sparks and Embers

Submitted: Sunday, Apr 03, 2005 at 21:11

Truckster (Vic)

Someone tell me WE damage the bush this much in a weekend/month/yr...

Fierce winds fuel Prom fire
April 3, 2005 - 11:18AM

Six aircraft are battling a large bushfire at a popular Victorian holiday spot following a mass evacuation of holidaymakers.

Fierce winds are fuelling the blaze in Wilsons Promontory National Park, after hundreds of people were evacuated from the area yesterday.

The fire has so far spread over 4,000ha and the park remains closed.

Firefighters are using six aircraft to battle the blaze, which began on Friday night during a controlled burn.

"Last night they were buffeted by extremely strong winds, which has caused the fire to spread," a spokesman from the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) said.

"The fire perimeter is about 40km. It's all burning in the national park. There's no threat to private property."

Meanwhile, residents in other parts of the state near Powelltown and Jindivick, east of Melbourne, are being warned of a wildfire whipped up by strong winds this morning.

As fire crews work to contain the blazes, aircraft are flying overhead to get a clearer picture of the number of outbreaks.

Crews have contained outbreaks in other parts of the state this morning.

DSE state fire co-ordinator John Lloyd said conditions were extremely difficult with strong winds and warm temperatures overnight.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued strong wind warnings for the Wilsons Promontory area and for the south-west of the state.

DSE staff are yet to confirm whether other fires in the state began as controlled burns and the spokesman said there would be a routine investigation into the Wilsons Promontory blaze.

Yesterday, hundreds of holidaymakers were left stranded on a remote beach at Wilsons Promontory after being evacuated from the popular Tidal River camping ground.

Park rangers woke campers and about 550 people took refuge from the blaze on the beach at Norman Bay until emergency crews decided it was safe for them to drive out in their own cars, under escort.

Another 30 people were flown by helicopter to Tidal River from another part of the park so they could drive to safety.

Others were taken by boat to Barry Beach and then by bus to an evacuation centre at Foster to wait out the fire.

Police used a helicopter to search for bushwalkers.

Parks Victoria chief executive Mark Stone said it was unfortunate the park had to be closed during the school holiday period.

"All campers and people who had booked roofed accommodation at the Prom will be given a 100 per cent refund," he said.

A hotline number has been established for people concerned about visitors to the park: 1800 727 077.

All other inquires about fires should be directed to the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667.

- AAP
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AnswerID: 104993   Submitted: Sunday, Apr 03, 2005 at 21:29

firestang replied:

The Department of Scorched Earth lose burns all the time but hardly ever have it publised cos it's not in a populated area.
When the nth eatern fires were going we were having lunch at 11pm after 36 hours in the bush and a DSE dude came flyin up in his Pig and said ,and i quote. "we lost the @#$%&*$% back burn ,were gettin outa here .You guys can evacuate the houses yeah". You can imagine our reply !!!

Later that night the fire got within two kms of the town and all 150 trucks nearly got a "Fire Call".
Sometimes you have to wonder.
Reply 1 of 6
AnswerID: 104997   Submitted: Sunday, Apr 03, 2005 at 21:52

Member - Banjo (SA) replied:

Bloke called in to the ABC radio's Australia All Over (this am - Macca) was informing the nation how his dawn sky was lit up with a beautiful rosy glow as the Prom burned away - not bad publicity eh. Bet the DSE use the dreaded for wheel drives too !

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By the time I'm too old to go bush, I'll have all my gear set up just right !
Reply 2 of 6
AnswerID: 105014   Submitted: Monday, Apr 04, 2005 at 00:03

Member - Bradley replied:

Now they can lock the whole area off for ten years or so to 're-generate'

would you or i light a nice fire on a freakishly hot 32 day ??


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On the lookout for 98 onwards v6 auto jack.
Reply 3 of 6
AnswerID: 105025   Submitted: Monday, Apr 04, 2005 at 07:54

Nudenut replied:

they did plan this .....wait till SA is predicting strong northerly winds with temps in the mid to high 30's and we''ll do a burn off.....no need to worry...its in SA

geez they are idiots eh?

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Make love, not war....Hell, do both...GET MARRIED!
Reply 4 of 6
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AnswerID: 105123   Submitted: Monday, Apr 04, 2005 at 18:11

paj replied:

But if I go camping in SA National parks before the end of this month I can't even flash up my Cobb???

Paj
Reply 5 of 6
AnswerID: 105125   Submitted: Monday, Apr 04, 2005 at 18:19

Andrew replied:

Sorry for a slight sidetrack but it really pisses me off the way they report these things.

"Fire is contained within National Park so no damage to private property"
How long does a Nat Park take to recover? 5 years? 10 years? 50 years?
How long cropping land? One bloody season!

This one really irked me a few years ago when Ngarkat was burning and they were on the radio proudly saying that they had stopped it from reaching adjacent crops and pine plantations so it was all OK.

grrrrr.............
Reply 6 of 6
FollowupID: 362294   Submitted: Monday, Apr 04, 2005 at 20:36

firestang posted:

Unfortunately thats the way asset protection is , it's all about stopping the fire getting to things that cost individuals or companies money .

Crops, buildings, stock are all the overiding priority ,unfortunately our forests don't seem to come into the equation.
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