Inspector Scott Deller | Government official
Inspector Scott Deller
Reviews
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24.01.2022 Today I caught up with the Minister for Police and Emergency Services Mr David Elliott and Local Member for Heathcote Mr Lee Evans discussing important mitigation work occurring across the Sutherland Shire. RFS mitigation crews have been busy over recent weeks constructing important control lines around homes in support of the annual hazard reduction burn program, which is implemented by both land managers and fire agencies as conditions allow. This afternoon we inspected a... recently constructed control line in the Lincoln Crescent, Bonnet Bay area, a location that was devastated by bush fire in January 1994. The local hazard reduction burn program is on hold due to late Autumn early winter rainfall which resulted in vegetation becoming too wet to burn. More recently we are seeing a drying trend which is typically associated with mid to late winter weather patterns, with dry westerly winds and blue skies dominating. A return to burning is anticipated in coming weeks subject to no significant rain. The Minister used the visit to announce two (2) extra mitigation crew members locally and spent the morning at our Maianbar Brigade, where he officially handed over a new fire tanker.
24.01.2022 Today marks 40 years since five young lives were tragically lost battling a bush fire at Waterfall. It was 3rd November 1980 - just before 5am crews were alerted to a bush fire burning near McKell Avenue, after being reported by a motorist who was heading to work from Wollongong. Numerous brigades responded to the southern end of the Royal National Park, working to contain a large fire which was burning under mild conditions.... 1979 and 1980 were extremely dry, with half the annual rainfall falling locally. There had been eleven fires of significance prior to this fire, with three occurring in the Royal National Park during September 1980. The conditions on the day were cool, the temperature reached 19c, humidity was low (~30%), and southerly winds prevailed. As the southerly winds increased in strength late afternoon, the fire transitioned from the forested area into heath, increasing the intensity and spread. The fire rapidly headed in a northerly direction towards the Uloola trail. It was on this trail where a fire tanker from Headquarters (Heathcote) Brigade was overrun by fire. It was at this location where five brave firefighters were lost - Steve Crunkhorn, 26, Gregory Rolfe, 24, Vernon Stedman, 21, William Cummings, 21 and David Marshall, 19. The fire was contained days later after burning 2,246 hectares of the Royal National Park. Four decades on, we continue to remember the brave and courageous crews To mark the 40th anniversary, Waterfall Rural Fire Brigade facilitated a very special event for their local community last Sunday, titled ‘Come for a Walk’. The event saw the Brigade invite the local community for a walk, along the Uloola trail to the memorial site, which is located a short distance from the nearby RFS station. The Brigade Captain provided a recount of what occurred on this tragic day, including commentary from RFS officers Peter Kneale and David Brown, who were both involved in this particular fire. I was privileged to join the community at this special event. It was an emotional afternoon remembering our fallen heroes. I share this special event more broadly, via the five minute video below.
23.01.2022 National Parks and Wildlife Service assisted by other fire agencies will be undertaking a large hazard reduction burn today (12/5) and tomorrow in the Royal National Park. The Artillery Hill HR is located east of the Audley precinct and is bounded by Sir Bertram Stevens Drive to the south and the Port Hacking to the north - named after the sites historic link to military training. The area being treated is 359 hectares and in the local context is considered significant. The s...moke column is expected to be highly visible across a vast area particularly as the fire burns through heath based fuels, resulting in good convection - dark smoke is expected. The Bureau of Meteorology are forecasting light winds making it difficult for forecasters to determine a wind direction for the site. More broadly the forecast model shows a light northerly wind to develop post this morning surface inversion. This is considered favourable as should it occur it will shift smoke southward away from the Shire. Around dusk a strong inversion will redevelop and due to the activities size, smoke will continue to be generated - therefore a smoky night for parts of the Shire is likely. On Wednesday after the morning inversion breaks - a westerly wind is expected to transport smoke eastward towards Maianbar and Bundeena, before shifting to the eastern suburbs of the Shire. The majority of burning will be completed today with residual works completed tomorrow. The normal uncertainties apply in terms of weather including the fluid nature of prescribed burn implementation - so lets see how the day unfolds.
23.01.2022 A big congratulations to Peter Miranda on being named today as a Australian Fire Service Medal recipient in the Queens Birthday Honours list. Peter is a District Officer at the Fire Control Centre located at Heathcote and has been working in bush fire management in the Sutherland Shire for nearly 45 years. Peter is one of the most knowledgeable person I know, playing a pivotal role in everything we do, and does so quietly without reward or recognition.... From the formation of mitigation crews decades ago, to innovative builds of tankers and vessels, keeping the Shire safe through preparedness and operations, to new equipment and capital builds of new stations, and not to forget his valuable contribution as a volunteer member of Heathcote HQ Brigade. The list is far too long! The award is most deserved and recognises a selfless commitment to the organisation and community - such resilience and passion! Well done Peter on your award.
23.01.2022 A wonderful view from the Eric Street Asset Protection Zone (APZ) overlooking Bate Bay and the beaches, with the city skyline beyond the Kurnell peninsula. Last week I joined National Parks and Wildlife Service inspect works undertaken along the 1.2km zone located at Bundeena. The Eric Street APZ provides protection to 60 homes which are located adjacent to the Royal National Park.... An APZ provides a buffer between the bush and homes, limiting the potential for flame contact, reducing radiant heat and lessening the likelihood of property damage - whilst providing firefighters space to defend homes. An APZ typically does not reduce ember attack unless appropriate and well placed trees are retained, so property preparedness remains important in preventing damage and loss. APZ’s are constructed in elevated risk areas where topography allows, their design is dependent on the likely threat. This APZ is one of hundreds across the Sutherland Shire which are maintained by various land managers.
23.01.2022 A little burst of summer today before the remainder of the week becomes wet. The fire danger for Greater Sydney is Very High with the temperature across the Sutherland Shire set to reach the mid 30s, with low humidity and increasing westerly winds. A strong surface inversion is the key influence on our weather this morning, resulting in cool, calm and moist conditions. This inversion is set to break once the temperature reaches the high 20s, which will allow the westerly ...winds to mix down bringing with it drier air. A cold front is moving through parts of NSW today, which will result in a southerly change moving through the Shire around 3.30pm (+/- 2hrs), bringing gale-force gusts about the coast. 50 to 100mm of rain is forecast to fall for the next 8 days from Tuesday, due to tropical moisture being drawn across the continent due to ex-cyclone Esther and Ferdinand. Should the rain eventuate, it will likely result in a 6-8 week delay before hazard reduction burning can recommence. Image - 8 day rainfall forecast BOM
22.01.2022 La-Nina continues to be a ‘good news’ story reducing our bush fire risk locally over coming months. The bush fire season within the Sutherland Shire continues to be moderated by regular rainfall, lower daytime temperatures, increased cloud cover and cooler maritime air. These conditions are expected to persist for the remainder of the year and are likely to continue into the New Year.... La-Nina is expected to strengthen over the coming months which will see the continuation of the current trend. La-Nina brings cooler days, warmer nights, and increased rainfall to the eastern half of the country. The 3 month outlook issued by the Bureau of Meteorology forecasts rainfall to be above average, daytime temperatures to normalise, however nights will continue to be warmer. The conditions being experienced this season are in stark contrast to last year, which saw the most protracted and significant fire season on record, due to a very strong ‘Positive Indian Ocean Dipole’. During 2019 in the Shire, only 575mm of rain fell, almost half of the yearly average. Year to date (2020) 1021mm has fallen, with 2 months remaining. Last year we saw 71 days where a temperature was recorded over 30c within the Shire. This year there has been 30 to date, with the majority of these warm days occurring in January and February, at the end of the ‘Positive Indian Ocean’ dipole event. The Keetch-Byram Drought Index is used by fire managers to understand drought in the upper part of the soil last year the index was approaching 100mm, indicating a significant deficit in moisture in the ground. At this threshold it is considered to be conducive for extreme fire behaviour, should other conditions allign. Today the drought index is at ~40mm, which is considered average for this time of year. Despite the outlook for a benign fire conditions for Shire over coming months, it is important to note that any period of dryness, coupled by a hot windy event, can still result in significant fires occurring. Hence the importance of preparing for bush fire, irrespective of the outlook. These benign conditions may see fire agencies continue to take opportunities to implement hazard reduction burning, subject to fuel dryness and weather. Of interest and despite the onset of La-Nina forming, mid-August to mid-October locally was remarkably dry, resulting in fuels rapidly drying. A consequence of this dry fuel, was a number of hazard reduction burns escaping, including one locally.
21.01.2022 On this day 3 years ago, a large bush fire occurred near Kurnell. It was 5.13pm on Sunday 4 September 2017 (Fathers Day), when the first of many triple zero calls was received, reporting a bush fire burning near Captain Cook Drive. Soon afterwards, firefighters arrived in Sir Jospeh Banks Drive finding two bush fires which were burning in an inaccessible area,... being driven by dry and gusty north westerly winds. The fire continued to escalate as it progressed south east, resulting in the alert level being escalated to Watch and Act, warning the nearby Boat Harbour community. Mid evening, the fire crossed Sir Jospeh Banks Drive and was heading east as the winds shifted to the south west. By this time, significant resources were committed from the RFS and Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW), with RFS crews working to contain the fire, while FRNSW protected nearby important infrastructure. By midnight, the fire had progressed north. entering the Kamay Botany Bay National Park, running adjacent to the Caltex refinery. Just prior to dawn, the fire had been contained after burning out 350 hectares of bushland, after a combined effort of FRNSW, National Parks and RFS crews.
20.01.2022 The Shires newest bush fire prone subdivision at Barden Ridge is nearing completion. Today I visited The Ridgeway which consists of over 100 residential lots and is adjacent to New Illawarra Road, near The Ridge Golf Course and Barden Ridge Oval. The subdivision sits on a plateau above the Woronora River and features a range of important bush fire protection measures, due to its proximity to nearby bushland. ... The measures are part of an important planning framework which includes the legislated document titled Planning for Bush Fire Protection. The new subdivision includes many important bush fire protection measures such as an Asset Protection Zone (APZ) which provides a buffer between future homes and the bush, alternate emergency access and egress routes, road widths that allow for the safe passage of fire vehicles, availability of water to support firefighting operations, and construction of homes to the Australian Standard for bush fire. These measures are important in protecting this new community from bush fire. In addition to this subdivision, the future of the Barden Ridge area is looking bright, with initial planning conversations occurring as part of the Greater Sydney Commission and the ANSTO Collaboration Area Stakeholder Group, ensuring bush fire protection measures are considered. These conversations relate to growing and investing in the Australian Nuclear and Science Technology Organisation research and innovation precinct, which will see its expansion over the longer term. The formal vision for the precinct will be a campus that will be connected through walking and cycling links. It will be surrounded by the existing natural landscape and have centres of activity with a mix of lifestyle, cultural, commercial, business and mixed used spaces.
19.01.2022 Lots of interest this afternoon when this rare cloud formation moved through southern Sydney and the Illawarra, resulting in lots of photos and social media discussion. I believe this cloud to be volutus as part of the Stratocumulus family, otherwise know as a roll cloud, but I have no doubt my meteorology colleagues will correct me if I am wrong. It is likely associated with a frontal system moving through the area.... Did you see it? Photos - Debbie Baker and Katrina Buckley
18.01.2022 Today I was located at Fire & Rescue NSW Communication Centre in a liaison capacity, providing incident information up, down and across the chain of command. Like any other day there are hundreds of incidents across NSW, but the one pictured below was significant. A freight train derailed near Coffs Harbour in the early hours of this morning, resulting in locomotives and over a dozen carriages coming off the tracks. ... The incident managed by FRNSW involved a multi-agency response and is expected to be a protracted incident. The two drivers escaped unhurt.
18.01.2022 The Bureau of Meteorology has recently updated its Severe Weather Warning, which includes the Sutherland Shire. Whilst rain is increasing in intensity, of note are damaging winds which are approaching the coastal areas of the Shire, with gusts of over 90km/h possible over the next hour or so. For storm and flood damage, contact the SES on 132 500, for urgent or life-threatening assistance, contact Triple Zero.... Wishing our colleagues a safe evening.
18.01.2022 This time last year we had already deployed three (3) firefighting tankers from Menai, Grays Point and Loftus to northern NSW, where they were assisting with large bush fires burning in the area. What followed was nearly 6 months of continued deployment by Shire volunteers, as fire activity slowly contracted south during Spring and Summer, with crews concluding deployment in February this year, in southern NSW. A remarkable commitment! Last week the Sutherland Shire Bush Fire... Management Committee and Local Emergency Management Committee met. I had the opportunity to provide an update to both Committees relating to our Bush Fire Season outlook, which will officially commence on the 1 October. Pleasingly, unlike last year, we have been experiencing above average rainfall during recent months, which has saturated our bush fire forest fuels. Of interest, we use the Keetch Byram Drought Index to understand landscape dryness. Currently this index is near zero. This time last year it was rapidly approaching 100, indicating a severe deficiency in soil moisture. A consequence of below average rainfall during 2019. Whilst current climate drivers in the Pacific (El-Nino Southern Oscillation) and Indian Ocean (Dipole) remain neutral, the Bureau of Meteorology has indicated there is twice the average likelihood of a La-Nina forming in the Pacific during Spring. A La-Nina event often results in increased rainfall in the eastern half of Australia, but has a lesser influence near the coast. Whilst recent rainfall events are being driven by warm coastal waters, the potential of La-Nina event occurring during Spring is expected to play a greater role in our rainfall over coming months. This is positive for the Shire, as the short to medium term outlook looks favourable in reducing our fire risk, particularly in forest fuels. This is conditional however on wet conditions actually occurring. Despite the outlook, we should not become complacent. As such, land managers, fire agencies and emergency services continue to prepare for the season. Whilst hazard reduction burning has been impeded by wet weather recently, collectively we are focused on other mitigation measures such as mechanical works. Of equal importance, the community should also prepare for the coming season. Like previous years we will conduct our Get Ready Weekend in September, albeit a little different due to COVID - this will be a great opportunity to find out what you need to do to protect your home and family. As you will note from todays conditions, a more traditional August weather pattern has arrived, and is expected to continue for the next 7 days, bringing dry westerly winds. This is a timely reminder that we are transitioning to the warmer part of the year, and now is the time to prepare. Photo - Menai BFB @ Northern NSW (August 2019)
18.01.2022 A shallow southerly change moved up the coast earlier this morning, passing through the Shire between 3-4am. With this change, smoke associated with bush fires burning in southern NSW and the ACT, has blown northward into the Shire (as shown in image) In addition to this, a fire burning in the Blue Mountains is blowing smoke at an higher altitude over Sydney, due to a westerly wind aloft.... This smoke has resulted in local fire crews being responded to reports of fire. There are no fires currently burning in the Sutherland Shire.
18.01.2022 We are on track to exceed our average annual rainfall in the Sutherland Shire, with nearly 800mm of rain recorded to date. The chances of exceeding the average looks likely, with the climate outlook tending towards wetter than average over the coming months. This is in stark contrast to last year where the accumulated rainfall for the year was around 600mm. The latest Bureau of Meteorology Climate Driver Outlook indicates a 50% chance of a event forming during Spring, with... the mean of international models tending towards this eventuating in late Spring. Coinciding with La Nia , the eastern Indian Ocean remains warm - the international model mean is tending towards a Negative Indian Ocean Dipole, forming mid to late Spring. Both of these events, whether they form independly or concurrently, is likely to result in above average rainfall across the majority of the country. In 1974, when both these events occurred, Australia recorded its wettest year on record, with a number of significant flood events occurring. Should the outlook come to fruition, above average rainfall during late winter early spring, will reduce our bush fire threat locally, for at least the early part of the season. Conversely, above average rainfall during the coming period will impede on our ability to undertake hazard reduction burning - which historically presents good opportunities to implement. The Bush Fire and Natural Hazards CRC recently released the Australian Bushfire Seasonal Outlook for the next 3 months (see Image). Across NSW, the Far South Coast was the only area in the State where above normal fire potential was predicted, due to a deficiency in late Autumn/Winter rain and areas that were not burnt during the 19/20 fire season. Since the release of the outlook, a complex low formed off the NSW coast this week, bringing localised heavy falls to the south coast, mitigating the bush fire potential in the short term. Locally, the CRC outlook identifies the Shire as having normal bush fire potential over coming months, as the spatial and temporal variation of rainfall may still result in fire events, albeit not predicted to be significant. The next Bush Fire and Natural Hazards CRC Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook will be released in September. I expect the next update may consider grass growth and curing in non forested areas about the ranges, and the Northern end of NSW due to current dryness, and in the absence of Spring rain.
18.01.2022 This evening I joined Member for Campbelltown and Shadow Minister Greg Warren in presenting the Premier’s Bush Fire Citation to members of Kentlyn Rural Fire Brigade. Wonderful recognition for the outstanding commitment given to the NSW community during the 2019/20 bush fires season. Well deserved!
18.01.2022 On this day two years ago (14 April), a bush fire was reported near Casula railway station just after 2.15pm. It was a warm April day with the temperature reaching 30c, humidity was low and gusty north-westerly winds prevailed, due to a passage of a cold front moving through NSW. The fire quickly spread eastward under the warm dry conditions, crossing Moorebank Avenue and spreading through the Holsworthy Barracks. ... By 8pm fire crews attempted to stop the fire at Heathcote Road, but it spotted across the road burning into the Mill Creek valley, resulting in further Emergency Alerts being issued to nearby residents. By 9pm the fire impacted the residential interface of Menai, continuing its spread throughout the night into Sunday, spreading north and south into Alfords Point and Barden Ridge. Only minor damage was reported and is a wonderful achievement of all those who were involved, not only the fire crews, Community Fire Units, emergency services and residents, but the land managers and fire agencies who conducted important hazard reduction works in the years prior. I share with you the radio communications and associated line scans which provides a summary of the fire event over a 16 hour period.
17.01.2022 A wonderful result today - another 100 homes in the Bangor area afforded further protection from bush fire. Thank you to 50 firefighters, field commanders, communication and catering personnel for completing this important work. Well done!
17.01.2022 With the southerly change now moving through Sydney, smoke from a contained fire burning in the Shoalhaven is blowing into the area. There are currently no fires burning in the Sutherland Shire. A small bush fire occurred at Barden Ridge adjacent to the Woronora River just after 6pm, however was quickly extinguished by an RFS boat (photo below).... Remember to only ring triple zero when you see smoke and flames as both FRNSW and RFS crews are currently investigating smoke in the Grays Point and Maianbar areas. Photo - Blake Williams
17.01.2022 The Sutherland Shire is downwind of a significant smoke plume which is blowing from a fire burning in the Blue Mountains, as shown on radar. The smoke plume developed into a fire induced storm resulting in lightning strikes ahead of it, with strikes recorded in the LIverpool/Fairfield area. A band of instability (trough) is moving through south west Sydney currently, bringing isolated storms.... Should rain fall locally from storm activity, it may be dirty (black/brown) due to the interaction with smoke from the Blue Mountains fire.
16.01.2022 Whilst conditions remain too wet for hazard reduction burning, our mitigation crews are busy preparing control lines in many areas across the Sutherland Shire, ready for when conditions dry out. Today I caught up with crews from Mittagong and Glendenning, who are working in the Forbes Creek valley at Engadine, constructing control lines 4km in length. A control line ensures a hazard reduction burn is contained, and includes back yards, trails, tracks and watercourses - with... the purpose of preventing a controlled fire crossing under mild/benign conditions. In stark contrast to last years (2019) climate outlook, a warm Indian Ocean north west of Australia, and a cooler Pacific Ocean along the central-eastern equator, is resulting in most international climate models leaning towards a Negative Indian Ocean Dipole and La-Nina event. Should one or both events occur, they typically result in above average rainfall. The Bureau of Meteorology climate outlook for late Winter and early Spring consider both these events, forecasting above average rainfall across most of NSW - which will see a likely delay to the start of our bush fire season locally, and will impact on our ability to conduct important hazard reduction burning. Over the ranges in Rural NSW, rainfall will see prolific grass growth continuing, resulting in a grass fire season relatively early, as highlighted by the RFS recently. Of the 24 hazard reduction burns identified this year in the Shire, fire agencies and land managers have completed 6. It is important we continue to prepare important burns and take opportunities as they present, with the intent to complete as many as we can, whilst reducing fuel and ensuring they are conducted safely.
16.01.2022 The hazard reduction burn conducted at Padstow Heights today continues to produce smoke, as pockets of unburnt fuels and large fuel elements burn within containment lines. As a result smoke has increased this evening particularly in those suburbs to the south as a radiation inversion reformed around dusk, due to the rapid cooling of the ground. In terms of fire management, inversions are important. ... At lower altitudes, inversions can lead to great opportunities in implementing hazard reduction as they can protect planned burns from strong winds aloft. A good example was todays weather - an inversion was in place for the majority of the day shielding the surface from much stronger winds aloft - ~55km/h @ 2,500ft. A consequence of a radiation inversion is they can trap smoke at the surface, resulting in increased smoke overnight, in addition to impeding combustion through higher moisture and cooler air. Those in the western parts of the Shire tonight will have noticed an increase in smoke around valley systems south of Padstow Heights - a combination of the fire remaining active, a light northerly breeze and a radiation inversion. It may be the case this smoke may not clear until one of the three conditions above change, which may be tomorrow morning. The photo below was taken early this afternoon and shows an energetic smoke plume being impacted by this low level north westerly wind shear.
15.01.2022 Yesterday I put on my sea legs and joined our amazing boat crew from Woronora who participated in Sydney Airports annual multi-agency emergency exercise. The exercise involved a simulated aircraft crash in Botany Bay after a domestic aircraft flying from Adelaide to Sydney missed the runway, with more than 180 passengers onboard. The two vessels played a pivotal role alongside other agencies, rescuing casualties from the water and returning to land for triage and treatment.... It was wonderful to see the crews efforts with our vessels playing a pivotal in the multi-agency response. A total of 17 agencies and 200 personnel participated, including POLAIR and Westpac Lifesaver helicopters who deployed life rafts. It is important to acknowledge the wonderful work of Sydney Airport and other agencies in implanting this exercise after months of planning. Woronora Brigade has an important role in providing fire coverage to remote properties, accessing fires in remote locations along our waterways, responding to boat and marina fires, and providing support to other emergency service agencies as required. I was able to capture some of the action in the video below, with an abbreviated version of Captain Mitch Giles briefing to crews.
14.01.2022 The quarterly meeting of the Sutherland Shire Bush Fire Management Committee was held today, albeit by teleconference. It was an opportunity to thank all our local partners for their efforts during the bush fire season and for keeping the Sutherland Shire safe. During the 19/20 fire season, we saw two (2) days where fire danger was Catastrophic, the first time since the rating was introduced following the 2009 Black Saturday (Victorian) bush fires.... On 12 November 2019, a fire started in the Royal National Park near Kirrawee, burning under dry and windy conditions. Fortunately, fire crews quickly responded to the area and were able to contain the fire within 2 hours - an amazing effort! The work of everyone during the bush fire season, in particular on the Catastrophic days, was a wonderful demonstration of the commitment and collaboration that agencies have. During the meeting, I was able to share important contextual information relating to the conditions experienced, including looking at past seasons. During 2019, less than 650mm of rain was recorded locally - with less than 600mm falling in 2018. For each year, the deficit was approximately 400mm, resulting in the significant fire risk due to extreme drought and fuel dryness. Locally, 2019 was the fourth driest year on record and interestingly the 19/20 dry spell was similar to what occurred 40 years ago, during 1979 and 1980. In 1979 and 1980, twelve significant fires occurred in the Sutherland Shire, with the most tragic of these burning 2,000ha in the Royal National Park near Waterfall, resulting in the death of five firefighters on Uloola track. 40 years earlier - 1939 was also a significant fire year, resulting in 30 homes being destroyed in the Sutherland area, in addition to an elderly man being badly burnt by a bush fire that burned in both Sylvania and Cronulla. Looking at where we are today, the 2020 rainfall has nearly equalled last years annual rainfall, in just five months. The Bush Fire Management Committee heard that land managers and fire agencies are doing well with hazard reduction implementation, with 6 of the 24 burns identified for 2020 already completed. Photo - Artillery Hill HR looking from Bungoona Lookout - Lindsey Flynn
13.01.2022 Very hot day tomorrow (Sat 1/2), however fire danger moderated by coastal influences The fire rating for Greater Sydney on Saturday including the Sutherland Shire is Very High - no Total Fire Ban has been declared for our area. The temperature in western parts of the Shire will reach 38c, with low humidity (~20%),... and moderate north westerly winds, turning north easterly in the afternoon, increasing in strength. Closer to the coast, conditions will be moderated by the sea breeze earlier in the day, with lower temperatures (mid to low 30s), higher humidity, and a stronger sea breeze. It will be warm overnight Saturday, with temperatures reaching the mid 30s prior to midday on Sunday (2/1). A southerly change will move through the Shire after dawn on Sunday and progressively increase in strength throughout the day, reducing temperatures progressively. The fire danger is expected to be Very High again on Sunday, but our local danger will be moderated by higher humidity due to our proximity to the coast. There is the chance of a thunderstorm on Sunday, which potentially may be severe further to the west. Despite coastal influences, the danger of fire for the Shire remains elevated - therefore any outbreak of fire will see an increased response of fire resources, and rightly so! Photo - Elise Head
12.01.2022 Having a connection to the landscape, albeit contemporary in nature, is important in determining when conditions are appropriate for prescribed burning, particularly following the unprecedented bush fire season, which saw elevated temperatures and extreme dryness since Winter last year. Whilst we are still within the statutory danger period, and with a few days of summer remaining, understanding the nature of bush fire fuel, and how it interacts with weather, is both art and ...science in determining when we should and shouldnt carry out prescribed burning. Earlier today, we were out measuring fuel moisture across a variety of our hazard reduction sites locally. The aim being to determine the current level of fuel dryness, following the recent significant rain. The process of determining whether fuel is conducive for burning is important, making sure the fuel is dry enough to reduce an adequate amount of bush fire fuel. When fuels are too dry, it becomes unsafe to carry out a planned activity, and if too wet, it results in not enough fuel being removed. The art is often determining when to measure fuel dryness, reading the landscape accordingly, then using scientific tools such as the fuel moisture meter as pictured to verify the suitability of conditions. Having an intimate knowledge of the landscape is important, considering type of vegetation, fuel structure, topography, aspect, flora maturity, fauna impact, are just some of the considerations. Fire management is a year round process, and fire agencies and land managers are busy planning and preparing important hazard reduction burns across the Sutherland Shire. Locally, we have 35 burns proposed by the Bush Fire Management Committee. These are identified in the annual works program, with planning well underway. Given the assessment of fuel dryness today, some exposed and elevated sites across the Shire have shown good recovery following recent rain. As a result, a small hazard reduction burn has been scheduled on Sunday at Waterfall, and will likely see the implantation of hazard reduction burning continue into Autumn, should conditions remain conducive.
12.01.2022 We will soon farewell NPWS Manager Shaun Elwood as he takes on a new role outside the Sutherland Shire. Shaun is responsible for looking after our local National Parks and has a great passion and enthusiasm for bush fire management. Shaun played a critical role during a number of significant fires in recent time, including a fire that occurred in the Royal National Park during January 2018, and more recently a fire that occurred on the Catastrophic fire danger day on 12 Novem...ber 2019. Shaun spent the summer assisting with the bush fire effort as part of Incident Management Teams across NSW. During the last few months he led the NPWS response locally to COVID-19 and has been able to obtain important funding for capital projects which will see improvements to National Park facilities. I would like to wish Shaun all the best in his new role.
12.01.2022 Former Woronora resident and member of Woronora Bush Fire Brigade, Dr Simon Heemstra, recently concluded his tenure as NSW RFS Manager of Predictive Services. Simons expertise and passion surrounding bush fire science is outstanding, resulting in a decade long commitment in building a fire behaviour and predictive services capability across NSW. Personally, Simon has been a wonderful mentor and supporter in my own development, which I am most grateful.... Simon has taken up a new and exciting role within the Bureau of Meteorology, focusing on natural hazards. I wish Simon all the best with his new career, and have no doubt the local Shire community wishes him the same.
11.01.2022 Four years ago I was located in Queanbeyan in response to a significant bush fire burning in the area. The Carwoola fire destroyed eleven homes, damaged a dozen more, burnt 3,500ha and injured two firefighters. A Strike Team was deployed consisting of Sutherland Shire resources.... On the third day of deployment additional fires continued to ignite across the dry landscape. On the afternoon of 19/2, a triple zero call was received to a grass fire burning near Tarago. Fifteen tankers were rapidly deployed, in addition to three helicopters, including an Aircrane. Firefighters did a wonderful job quickly containing the fire and protecting nearby homesteads and wind turbines.
10.01.2022 This evening I joined local Group Officer Andrew MacDonald in presenting the Premier’s Bush Fire Citation to members of Luddenham Rural Fire Brigade. Luddenham is located between the future Western Sydney Airport and Warragamba. Wonderful recognition for the outstanding commitment given to the NSW community during the 2019/20 bush fires season. ... Well deserved!
10.01.2022 There is much excitement in our local community as a healthy male Koala has temporarily taken up residence near a populated area. This koala has been traversing the Woronora River valley system and is likely to continue on its journey over coming days. It is wonderful see this Koala, but others locally as well.... These corridors have seen a mosaic pattern of prescribed fire over many decades - provide different fuel ages and the opportunity for a variety of species to do well in an urban fragmented environment, such as the Powerful Owl. We are most interested in where our threatened fauna are located, so when implementing important hazard reduction burning we can balance protecting life and property, but at the same time look after animals like this wonderful Koala. We have been hearing this fussy eater has been running around on local roads at night, unaware of the risk. As such, we have worked with National Parks and Wildlife Service and Sutherland Shire Council, and yesterday offered the use of our two portable electronic messaging signs to warn motorist in the area. One sign was deployed this morning and the other will be deployed early in the week. Remember, if you come across him keep your distance and make sure pets stay away. Photo - Jackie Coffey
08.01.2022 This week I caught up with our wisest members of the community - our local Powerful Owl population. The Powerful Owl is the largest owl in the country growing over half-a-metre in height with a wing span of nearly 1.5 metres. The owl feeds on small marsupials such as possums and the odd noisy cockatoo who... live in our forested areas, but near homes. Across the Sutherland Shire there are a number of male/female pairs with some located in the Menai and Woronora areas. The owl is listed as a vulnerable with high frequency fire identified as one thing that could cause potential harm. It is important to understand where these owls reside and how planned fire could impact them. This time of year is particularly important as they mate late autumn bringing two young fledglings into the world soon after. The young owls once hatched have a high mortality with a large percentage of them not surviving. We have a wonderful partnership with Sutherland Shire Council and through them local flora and fauna groups. It is great to hear after visiting a number of sites that our local owls appear to have adjusted well to our mosaic pattern of burning. It is rewarding to be able to achieve positive outcomes that protect life and property, but also protect our precious wildlife. Photo - with Brendon (Sutherland Shire Council) and Lloyd (Menai Wildflower Group) inspecting a tree for owl pellets, which consists of bones, fur, teeth and feathers that are unable to be digested).
08.01.2022 A different view today - controlling a hazard reduction burn at Barden Ridge. The David Road South hazard reduction has been completed by RFS and Fire and Rescue NSW crews. Firefighters took advantage of mild conditions reducing bush fire fuels in the David Road area, providing protection to around 50 residential homes, including 2 semi-rural properties which are located on the bushland side of the road, ahead of the bush fire season. ... The timing of the activity is considered important as a cool southerly change will move through the area tomorrow, resulting in rainfall between 10-15mm, which will place a hold on the burn program. Large fuels such as logs and trees will continue to burn into the evening and tomorrow, but are not of concern as they are within containment lines, and conditions are benign. Thank you to all the crews who participated today, including the wonderful support from our Engadine Brigade catering team. Speaking to members of the community during the day, they are most appreciative of this important work. Well done all! Bundeena Rural Fire Brigade - Station 23 - NSW RFS NSW RFS - Engadine Brigade NSW RFS - Illawong Brigade Heathcote Headquarters Rural Fire Brigade - Station 10 Menai Bushfire Brigade. NSW Rural Fire Service. Waterfall Rural Fire Brigade Fire and Rescue NSW Station 90 Menai
08.01.2022 A wonderful photo captured by Lindsey Flynn (Safety Advisor) who is located at the Artillery Hill hazard reduction burn. Earlier today crews conducted burning around the perimeter to ensure containment. This afternoon a helicopter has been used to drop incendiaries to burn out larger areas of vegetation, hence the significant increase in the smoke plume and its visibility. ... The photo shows a great example of surface winds blowing in one direction (southward), before being transported off the coast due to westerly winds aloft. It also shows the smoke at the top of the column condensing into cloud (pyrocumulus), as it hits a layer of the atmosphere that is warming. As we approach dusk and head into the evening, it is likely this column will be impeded at some point by the inversion, and as a result smoke may increase in nearby suburbs.
07.01.2022 Today with our Victorian colleagues, we pause and remember the Black Saturday fires which occurred on 7 February 2009. Two thousand homes were destroyed and 173 lives tragically lost. Late on the evening of the 7th, I received a phone call to deploy to Victoria the following day - tasked to look after three Strike Teams consisting of 15 tankers, an operational command vehicle and approximately 80 personnel. ... By mid afternoon on the Sunday (8/2) we arrived over the border. Strike Teams from Macarthur, Sutherland and Wollondilly were immediately deployed to Dederang, a small town located 300km north east of Melbourne. Dederang's Country Fire Authority fire station and small store became the hub of the operation, where we borrowed local maps, photocopied plans and providided ongoing support to the firefighting effort. A series of fast moving grass fires ran down from the surrounding hills throughout the afternoon threatening the town. Crews were successful in protecting property including a significant sub station which distributes power to a large portion of Victoria. The two photos below show Illawong Brigade heavily involved in the firefighting effort that afternoon, and is a reflection of what all crews faced. Late in the evening our crews deployed elsewhere in the state, continuing the firefighting effort for another five days before being changed over. I am grateful for all the efforts of the crews and what they achieved, particularly on that Sunday. Today we collectively pause and reflect on these fires and the tragic loss of 173 lives. Photos - Border Mail
07.01.2022 Wonderful work by our 90 Shire volunteer firefighters who undertook important hazard reduction burning in the Bangor area today. While the operation continues deep in the Still Creek Valley this afternoon, the 20 hectare burn has been successful in reducing bush fire fuels ahead of future fire seasons. Bangor has not seen a significant bush fire since 1994, with a number of homes lost in the Billa, Yala and Yates Road area. This work is important in protecting nearby homes ...and disrupting the fire path which runs across the Woronora River into Burnum Burnum Reserve. As per usual the operation had all the normal complexities surrounding logistics, radio communications, implementation constraints and weather. In addition to the above, COVID-19 has changed how we do things. All the key measures we collectively undertake such as social distancing and hygiene applied to us today. A cold front will move through midweek and we expect showers activity - this will be good for todays burn but will likely place a hold on further burning work. To our firefighters, commanders, communications and catering personnel, thank you for your wonderful commitment in keeping the community safe.
07.01.2022 Whilst our health workers and police are doing an amazing job battling COVID-19, we continue to focus on preparing the Shire for the next bush fire season - inspecting and maintaining fire trails, undertaking mechanical clearing in Asset Protection Zones, pruning and removing trees, constructing control lines, and developing operational plans for hazard reduction burning.
06.01.2022 The Lucas Heights official weather station has recorded its wettest February day on record, with 10 hours still to go. 176mm rain has been recorded at the site since 9am today (Sun 9/2), with the previous record being 170mm recorded on the 3rd February 1990. **Mon 2.20am update - 205mm**... It is also the second wettest day on record for this location since 1958, with 232mm recorded on 11 July 1991. The Sutherland Shire more broadly has seen well over 100mm of rain, with winds averaging 60km/h inland, with gusts near the coast reaching 100km/h. Given the significance of the event, our NSW Rural Fire Service crews have been assisting the State Emergency Service with storm-related damage, both within and outside the Shire, in addition to assisting Fire and Rescue NSW with fire-related calls, both within the area and further afield. We appear to be through the worst of it, with conditions slowly moderating over the coming days. Given the amount of rain that has fallen, riverine flooding, particularly in those areas impacted by tides, will continue to be problematic, both tonight and during tomorrows very high tide. The SES has issued a number of flood evacuation orders, so please keep up to date and follow their page/s. The Woronora Dam catchment has seen good rainfall as well, resulting in the dam water level rising a staggering 7m. **Mon 2.20am update - 8-9m** Remember to only use Triple Zero for life-threatening emergencies, and for storm/tempest related calls contact the SES on 132 500. We will continue to provide support to the SES over the coming days.
05.01.2022 Congratulations to nine Sutherland Shire Council staff who were assessed and deemed competent in bush firefighting today. This training is part of a local initiative to assist Council as a land manager mitigate bush fire hazards on their land, whilst using staff with environmental backgrounds to achieve positive ecological outcomes. Council are also engaging with the indigenous community exploring opportunities on how we can achieve mitigation, ecological and cultural outcomes in unison.
05.01.2022 This week we have delivered bush fire training to Sutherland Shire Council staff. Nine (9) bush care and environment personnel have successfully completed the training, which was conducted over a number of days. The training is the same as what we deliver to our new recruits and will allow Council to enhance their mitigation role across the area. ... It was wonderful to be part of this initiative that will further enhance the coordinated approach to bush fire management in the area. Thank you to all the participants for your commitment and dedication. I would also like to thank Daniel, Bob and Amber for helping with the delivery of the program.
05.01.2022 The Doppler Radar located at Terrey Hills (18km north of Sydney CBD) provides important weather information relevant to the Greater Sydney area. In terms of bush fire management, the radar is useful for tracking the movement of significant wind events, such as a southerly change during Summer, which change the direction of fire, and impact on community and firefighter safety. In addition to this, the radar is also useful for identifying severe weather. ... On Sunday (9/8) afternoon, the Doppler Radar provided useful insight in identifying damaging winds aloft, which followed a number of storm cells that moved through the Sutherland Shire on Sunday (9/8) afternoon, bringing heavy rain. Following the storm cells, an area of strong wind moved across the Shire after originating off the coast to the south-east of the Royal National Park, with a trajectory to western Sydney. The Doppler Radar located at Terrey Hill is ~200m above sea level and has a range of 300km. The radar has a number of limitations. Of note, it does not measure surface winds, but sends beams out at an elevation angle of 1 degree. At a distance of 25km from the radar, the radar is measuring winds at 400m in height, at 50km around 900m. The image below shows the Doppler Radar measuring strong winds aloft during Sunday afternoon, with the shire clearly in its path. What is interesting about this particular weather event, is that the coastal areas of the shire experienced less damage than they normally would - from fallen trees and damaged roofs. Instead, it was those areas of the Shire with an elevation of greater than 125m that were exposed, experiencing the majority of the damage. The NSW RFS and other emergency services have been supporting SES with over 200 requests for assistance since Sunday, with the bulk of these requestes in the western half of the Shire. During the wind event, Lucas Heights Automatic Weather Station recorded a 102km/h gust, with gusts of over 90km/h sustained for an hour. After the event moves through the shire, it appears the wind dissipates. This is another limitation of the radar, as it only measures directions towards and away from it, not traverse. You can see the area of strong winds reappear in north west Sydney, as it moves away from the radar.
04.01.2022 Whilst driving through the Engadine area today, it was wonderful to see many examples within the community of how we are collectively responding and adapting to COVID-19, with such diligence. In just a short drive I saw shop owners who have implemented social distancing measures, limiting numbers of people inside their stores whilst providing space outside for them to wait, NSW Police discussing with local teenagers not to congregate in large numbers, couples and families ex...ercising and enjoying the outdoors, residents doing that much needed gardening or home project, our vulnerable taking extra precautions to keep themselves safe, and I even spotted some bears hiding in windows, great for the kids bear hunt. We have also modified what we are doing. As you would expect we continue to protect the community by responding to fires and other emergencies, conducting our core functions such as bush fire mitigation and the like, in preparation for the next season. Our non-essential activities have and are being postponed or modified, so that we keep ourselves and the community safe. The amount of information available is overwhelming, so limiting how much you consume whilst primarily focusing on offical sources of truth (e.g. NSW Health), can assist with your mental wellbeing. Look after yourself, follow advice, stay healthy and safe.
02.01.2022 What else to do but talk weather and fire... The Bush Fire Danger Period officially concluded on the 31 March and our vegetation across the Shire is very damp, as a result the fire risk is low. Of relevance to fire risk is the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI). We use this index to measure the moisture deficit in soil. It was developed by two US Department of Agricultures Fire Service employees, John Keetch and George Byram in 1968.... The KBDI is calculated daily using a formula which considers weather variables, in particular daily air temperature and rainfall. The index provides fire managers a reasonable indication of fire severity, with the scale being from 0-200mm using the metric system. At a value of 0 the soil is saturated, where at 200 there is a significant deficit. The value indicates the amount of rainfall in millimetres required to saturate the soil. During the recent fire season we saw the KBDI value peak to over 150mm. This indicated severe drought and that extreme fire behaviour would be likely. A value greater than 150 historically has coincided with our worst seasons in the Shire, such as 1994, 97 and 01/02. As of this morning the value is less than 10 at Heathcote and around 40 at Lucas Heights - so the ground and nearby deposited vegetation is wet enough to prevent bush fire, but also too wet for hazard reduction burning. In terms of todays weather, we are expecting a warm dry day as we continue to transition towards winter. Temperatures will reach the mid 20s with the most significant feature of todays being a cold front moving across NSW. This will bring strong westerly winds which will commence from the north west, shifting west to south west, increasing in strength later. Current conditions are calm due to a surface inversion which will break as the temperature increases throughout the morning, which will allow for stronger winds aloft to mix down to the surface. By this afternoon it will be very windy - a perfect day to hang clothes on the line or fly a kite (if it was allowed). This mornings weather balloon released from Sydney airport shows strong winds aloft, with gusts of 80km/h possible, particularly in elevated areas. The KBDI and recent rain is important, as if rain had not fallen and the KBDI was elevated, today would have been a day of elevated fire danger, carrying a reasonable fire risk. We are lucky this is not the case. Video - trough and associated instability moves through Sydney on Good Friday.
02.01.2022 Earlier today, a working group consisting of Sutherland Shire Bush Fire Management Committee members met to commence a review of the local Bush Fire Risk Management Plan, which expires at the end of the year. A Bush Fire Risk Management Plan is a strategic document that identifies community assets at risk, and sets out a 5 year coordinated multi-agency treatment program to reduce risk of bush fire to the community. I presented to the group this morning the importance of the b...ush fire risk planning process, celebrating the good work of both land manangers and fire agencies in implementing treatments during the life of the current plan. Amazingly, local fire agencies on behalf of land managers, have implemented on average eleven (11) hazard reduction burning activities per year, since the plans endorsement in 2015, protecting nearly 30,000 homes. In addition to burning, 926 routine mechanical hazard reduction works have been conducted by Crown Lands, Council and National Parks. Whilst the amount of burning activities completed does not sound significant, in the context of available burning opportunities due to weather, it is indeed a wonderful result. The colourful graph below shows monthly rainfall locally for each year from 2015 to 2020. It only takes 10-15mm of rain each month to impact on burn implementation, as fuels become too damp. Over the last 5 years there has been very little opportunity to undertake burning, with May, August and October being most suitable locally. There is often a focus on burning, as it is the most visible to the community. It is important to note, treating bush fire risk is much broader, with a suite of measures in combination often providing a better outcome. This approach was clearly demonstrated during the Moorebank Avenue bush fire in April 2018, a suite of measures in combination saw a wonderful result - mitigating the impact of bush fire to the Menai area. Measures in this case included a pattern of mosaic burning around the interface, regular maintenance of vegetation around homes in asset protection zones, equipping and training community fire units, educating the community building resilience, implementing development control and planning practices, and equipping our fire agencies to protect life and property. The draft plan is expected to be completed early 2021, with public exhibition to occur around this time. Comment on bush fire risk management in the Sutherland Shire is invited and welcome, this can be provided by emailing [email protected]
01.01.2022 A cold front continues to move across NSW with a cool and gusty southerly change moving north along the coast, currently passing Kiama. It is expected to arrive through the Shire in the next hour bringing gusts up 60km/h about the coast. Associated with the change is a narrow band of storm cells which are moving from the south west and are heading east.... Whilst the majority of these cells are not significant, there is the potential for some severe cells to form. These storms cells are expected to arrive in the next hour or so. Sutherland Shire Council has planned a small hazard reduction burn at Barden Ridge on Monday, however this activity is anticipated to be postponed due to rain. For storm related assistance, contact the SES on 132 500.
01.01.2022 Earlier today, our most southern brigade Waterfall conducted a small but important burn in their local community. The activity successfully reduced bush fire fuels providing additional protection to 17 nearby homes. This hazard reduction is one of 35 scheduled by land managers and fire agencies for the Sutherland Shire this year, and the window to conduct these important activities is again expected to be limited.... Whilst many of our hazard reduction sites remain too wet due to rain during February, this site was ready to burn due to the type of vegetation. The vegetation being hazard reduced was elevated away from the moist ground, making it ideal to be burnt prior to the warm weather tomorrow, and before rain returns mid-week. During the burn, Illawong brigade used it as an opportunity to visit, discussing with new members the factors surrounding hazard reduction burning and the important role fire plays in assisting land owners managing land.
01.01.2022 The cold front and associated trough that moved through last week resulted in 10-15mm of rain falling locally. The amount of rain that fell would typically result in a reasonable delay in implementing further hazard reduction burns - as fuels would be to wet to carry fire for at least a number of weeks as the weather transitions to winter. A predictive model we use to understand how much fine fuel is impacted by rain is known as the Drought Factor - there are variances in t...erms of the model as it has evolved, but in its rudimentary form it considers long term dryness, seasonality, days since rain and the rainfall amount. The Drought Factor uses a scale 1-10 and provides fire managers a readily accessible indication of how much fine fuel would be consumed by fire. At 1, 10% of fine fuel would be available to burn, 5 being 50%, and at 10, 100% of fuel being available. When considering the model as a planning tool, it currently identifies a drought factor of 5 for the Shire, meaning 50% of surface fuels remain wet. As a result of well timed dry windy weather, available solar radiation, and increasing temperatures, our exposed ridgetops and north/western aspects have a fuel bed that is drier than what is suggested in the model. However, many of our southern and eastern aspected remain wet. Therefore it is important that fire managers have an understanding of model limitations and take the time to have a connection to the landscape, utilise local knowledge and verify in the field. As a result of field validation, the Shires hazard reduction program will recommence early next week, with a burn to be conducted at Bangor, followed soon after by another near Audley. Video - crossing Still Creek at Bangor, after completing field validation of fuel dryness.
