October 2009
So far this month there have been seven callouts and three crews attended the Burrill Lake fires during the course of the week the fires were burning.
Nine different crewmembers made themselves available with three of our newly trained basic fire fighters going to their first real fire as such.
These were very long days and nights with crews on the fire line for up to twelve hours followed by a two hour drive each way on top of this.
We had one "good intent" call, a grass fire on the corner of Nugents Creek and Moss Vale Road, another on the Tallowa Dam Road and a chimney alight in Quirk Street. All were brought under control with no damage to property.
With both trucks doing a hazard reduction burn on Wednesday, 16 September at Keoghs Lane, Valley I was called to a fire at Lower Bugong Road in Bugong National Park.
Two other brigades in the area also attended. We assisted in making the burning area safe and returned to the station around midnight.
In the early hours of Friday, 18 September we were called out to attend a fire at the Friendly Inn.
The quick response and action by members averted major damage to the building.
Leaking gas and damaged electrical cables provided a challenge to crew who remained at the scene until it was made safe.
The cause of the fire is being investigated by the police.
Our crews have put in some very long hours recently, at all hours of the night as well as having to attend their usual daytime jobs.
We are very grateful for their efforts.
Nowra Fire control have planned a fire wise meeting at the Fire Station on Saturday, 10 October at 10 am (see the public notice in this issue for further details.)
This is well worth attending given the forecast of a very high risk of a bad bush fire season this summer.
A BBQ will follow the meeting.
With the commencement of the fire season in our district, permits are required before conducting a burn-off.
Penalties may apply for any unauthorised burns after this time.
Contact David Smart, Keith Nelson or Bill Chittick to arrange a permit and please remember that they are all volunteers, so the more notice that you can give to them to issue the permit the better.
Your immediate neighbours and Shoalhaven Fire Control (4424 4424 Monday to Friday) must also be notified at least twenty-four hours before burning off.
Fire Control has informed us that any fire larger than a "camp fire for cooking" requires a permit.
Remember, it is never too late to become a member of the RFS, learn new skills and become a valuable member of the community. Call in to the fire station on a Wednesday night at 6 pm, meet some of the existing members and check out the trucks and equipment to see if it's for you. We would particularly like to see some of our younger guys and girls around the Valley get involved but all ages are welcome
The photo shows a tree alight like a Roman candle in the Bugong National Park. We had to let it burn out as falling branches made it too dangerous for fireys to get close enough to put it out. Until next time, be fire wise.
Cinderfella