The blaze that burnt out 210 hectares of bush at Waterfall in late September took a similar path to that which caused Sutherland Shire’s worst bushfire tragedy.
This was revealed when Sutherland Shire Council formally expressed appreciation for “the extraordinary effort and dedication” of emergency services volunteers and staff and other agencies who took part in the operation.
Mayor Carmelo Pesce said it involved all 13 of the shire’s RFS brigades, as well as many units from other areas, and several helicopters including a Hercules air tanker.
“It is worth reflecting the location of this fire path was very similar to the tragic fire which saw five members of Sutherland Shire District Headquarters Brigade lose their lives on Uloola Trail in November, 1980,” he said.
Cr Pesce said a small fire broke out at 3.15pm on Monday, September 25, about 400 metres east of the toll booth on McKell Avenue within Royal National Park.
“The fire rapidly expanded in size and intensity, with reports of smoke being sighted from Helensburgh and the Avon Dam Fire Tower within the ensuing 20 minute period,” Cr Pesce said.
“Weather conditions at the time of the fire igniting were 27F, 18 per cent humidity with southeast wind gusts of up to 55 km/h.
“Due to these prevailing weather conditions firefighters initially deployed to extinguish the fire were at risk and were required to be withdrawn.”
Cr Pesce said the RFS Hercules air tanker was deployed late on the Monday evening to deliver a retardant drop along the ridge line, above the fire in order to slow progress.
“Helicopters were also deployed to assist firefighters who were drawn from RFS units at Sutherland and Illawarra with National Parks & Wildlife Service who worked throughout the night to contain the fire.”
Cr Pesce said, following continuing efforts, the fire status was downgraded to ‘contained’ on Wednesday, September 27 and declared ‘out’ on Friday, October 6.
“A total of 210 hectares was burned and the cause of the fire remains under investigation by both the police and RFS.”
The operation involved all 13 of the shire’s RFS brigades plus brigades from Illawarra, Macarthur, Cumberland, Penrith and Fairfield local government areas, National Parks & Wildlife Service Fire and Rescue NSW and police.
The Sutherland Shire Local Emergency Operations Centre was activated on the Monday and was staffed by emergency services and support organisations throughout the response.
Others agencies who were thanked included Sutherland Shire Council, RMS, the regional emergency management officer and Sydney Trains.
