Wildfire Strikes Back

The fires occurred during what has been Determined to be the worst drought on Record in Australia. The drought affected Most of Australia, establishing the Conditions necessary for a record bushfire Season across the country. By the end of the Season, every state and territory had Experienced severe bushfires. There were Fires in the rainforests of far north Queensland, a phenomenon rarely seen. There were fires in the central Australian Desert and in Western Australia it was Declared the worst season ever.

The first warning sign that the Kosciuszko region was in for a tough season Came in the middle of spring when tests for Moisture levels in the fine fuels scattered Across the park revealed conditions more Akin to midsummer. Most areas of the park Had become extraordinarily dry very early In the season, even in areas which only a Month before had been covered in snow.

With long-range weather forecasts Predicting no sign of rain until March, the Fire-danger situation was extremely severe. The fire season, which has now entered? The record books, began in mid-December With a dry lightning storm. The storm Ignited fires on both sides of the Great Dividing Range. This marked the beginning Of what was to become a cycle of severe Bushfire weather that continued for over two Months. On 8 January, a major storm passed Over the mountains, with lightning strikes Igniting more than 164 fires. Most of these Were in Victoria's high country, while others Occurred in the Kosciuszko National Park And the Australian Capital Territory. These Fires began under the worst possible Conditions: strong north-westerly winds, Extremely low humidity and high Temperatures.

Many of these fires were in very remote Parts of the National Park, where, because Of the severe conditions, it was too Dangerous to drop fire-fighters into the area To mount an initial attack. Thick smoke Reduced visibility to such an extent that Helicopters were unable to reach many of The fires. Some fires were contained early While others joined to become large fires, Too large to contain.

The fires were managed cooperatively With over twenty different agencies and Organisations becoming involved. Many Hundreds of people were involved on any One day. The main operational centres were Set up in Tumut and Jindabyne.

Enormous efforts were made to protect Lives and property, both within and outside the National Park. Cabramurra, Australia's Highest township, was threatened when fire Raced up the Tumut Valley from the north. Up to twenty-five fire fighting units were Deployed in the main town and worked Alongside residents to extinguish spot fires. The ski resorts of Mount Selwyn, Perisher Valley, Guthega, Smidgin Holes And Thredbo were also saved. Thick smoke Covered much of the eastern side of the Mountains for weeks, causing great anxiety For many residents in surrounding areas. On Some days the smoke was so thick that all Forty aircraft involved in the operation, Including the Erickson Air crane, were Grounded because of poor visibility.

On 30 January, during the most severe Fire weather, fires south and west of Jindabyne escaped containment lines and Moved rapidly across the countryside. Some Spot fires appeared up to 10 kilometres Ahead of the fire front, starting new fires in The open country of the Monaro. Fire Jumped across Lake Jindabyne. Fire-fighters From several organisations, prominent Among them the Rural Fire Service brigades With their detailed local knowledge, Concentrated on protecting homes and Buildings. There were several periods when rural Residents were forced to seek the safety of Townships. Police evacuated Thredbo the Night before the much-publicised Blues Festival was scheduled to get under way. An estimated 3000 people had been Expected. At other times power was lost as Fires burnt power poles. Telecommunications were sometimes lost. The strain placed on the community was Considerable. Fire-fighters and incident Control staff worked very long hours for Weeks on end.

This lengthy campaign was marked by A relentless weather pattern. Extreme fire Weather lasted two to three days before a Lull saw temperatures and winds drop, Allowing fire-fighters a few days to regroup And consolidate containment lines before the Return of bad weather. Then, when it appeared that the worst Was over, thirty additional fires began on 10 February, most of them outside park Boundaries between Khancoban and Gundagai. This time fire-fighters were Fortunate that weather conditions were Relatively benign and the fires had begun in More accessible locations in open country. They were all contained within forty-eight Hours.

Remarkably no lives were lost in New South Wales and property damage was kept To a minimum. Only one residence was Destroyed. A weekender and a holiday lodge Were lost as were numerous farm sheds and Many fences. Stock losses were minimal Although pasture losses were felt by graziers Already affected by the severe drought. However, the overall result was a credit to All involved in what has undeniably been a Significant period in the history of the Snowy Mountains.