April 2011
March has been a relatively quiet month.
A large hazard reduction was completed by the National Parks & Wildlife Service in the Yarrawa State Forrest on March 16 with ignition carried out by helicopter in a controlled burn pattern.
Yarrawa is the plateau between Barrengarry and Upper Kangaroo River extending towards Kangaroo Valley from Robertson.
The large plumes of smoke generated as the burn took hold prompted a number of calls during the afternoon and it was still burning well into the night.
There were some areas which dropped over the escarpment during the night but with rain the following day these presented no problem and self extinguished
This area was last burned in the late 1960’s and the scrub was thick with a very high fuel load. As we have had several fires start in this area over the last few years, it’s good to see this pro-active approach.
Plans are in place to conduct several more hazard reductions before winter in the Kangaroo Valley area, weather permitting. The ongoing wet weather is causing problems though.
With regular traffic interruptions because of bridge repairs in March and the coming months, the brigade has stationed a second fire truck at the Pioneer Museum Park during the week to provide fire coverage if required.
Fire permits will not be required after the end of March but you are still required to notify your neighbours and Fire Control (4424 4424
Monday to Friday) 24 hours prior to conducting a burn off.
This may help to prevent a big red fire truck turning up in your front yard because someone called 000 about a fire.
If you have piles of timber or a hazard reduction that you feel you may need assistance with, the brigade is happy to help for a small donation. It’s good for training purposes too.
The brigade is actively looking for new members as our numbers have dropped during the last twelve months with some active members moving out of the area.
We’re planning our next basic training course in April so if interested please contact Dave (Dusty) Smart on 0427 651718
Reminder to all members that the AGM will be held at the fire station on Monday, April 4, 2011 at 7.30 pm
Photo shows some of the guys after a hard day last summer at the Dingo Road fire.
Left to right: Mike Gorman, Peter Wilson, Craig Winter, Brennan Smart,
Mark Hill (Dingo)
Until next time, be fire wise