Second day of a most unnatural start to Spring 2024 and the bush & grass fire count begins its climb towards Summer in the NSW Northern Rivers region

NSW Rural Fire Service map of Northern NSW showing recorded bush & grass fires as of 6pm Monday 2 September 2024.

Click on image to enlarge

Fires mapped in the the Northern Rivers region

All fifteen fires were listed at the "Advice" level (no immediate danger) as night fell.

Clarence Valley

PECKHAMS RD, EWINGAR

FLORDA PRINCE DR, WELLS CROSSING

FLAGGY CREEK RD, RAMORNIE

CLARENCE WAY, EIGHTEEN MILE

WINWOOD LANE, SOUTH GRAFTON

GREBERTS RD, WHITEMAN CREEK

MELOMYS RD, NYMBOIDA

Kyogle

BAIRDS RD, LOWER DUCK CREEK

IRON POT CREEK RD, IRON POT CREEK

UPPER EDEN CREEK RD, UPPER EDEN CREEK

PEACOCK CREEK RD, PEACOCK CREEK

Richmond Valley

UPPER MONGOGARIE RD, UPPER MONGOGARIE

OLD WYAN RD, RAPPVILLE

Lismore

UNARA RD, BEXHILL

Tweed

GLENCOE RD, NORTH ARM

For updates go to:

https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fires-near-me

Two persistent fires in Yuraygir National Park under control

 

How cute is this! A giant thank you message was written on the beach for the pilots and aerial crews working on the Sandon River Fire. We'd like to say a huge thank you to all of the #RFS members and aircrew who gave up their long weekend to protect communities around the state. pic.twitter.com/LjkCcm1pTj

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 28, 2024

Crews are working to contain the Sandon River fire (Clarence Valley LGA), burning north of Wooli, near Minni Water. In this video the Large Air Tanker is laying retardant in the area of Diggers Camp, in an effort to protect property and slow the spread of fire. #RFS pic.twitter.com/rcUQTWWs5h

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 26, 2024

#RFS and NPWS crews are working to control the Sandon River Fire (Clarence Valley LGA), with backburning operations being undertaken today in areas including around the Minnie Water village and Diggers Camp, to strengthen containment lines. (🎥: Luke McGlynn - Southampton RFB) pic.twitter.com/aCpZzP2qMe

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 27, 2024

 Two bushfires have been burning in Yuraygir National Park on the Clarence Coast for well over a week now.

The largest which began in the Sandon River area now covers a fireground of at least 4,246ha.

The second at Lake Arragan  between Angourie and Brooms Head area has only covered 514ha to date. 

Both fires are under control and the current NSW Rural Fire Service advice for the Sandon River fire is set out below:

Advice: Sandon River Fire (Clarence Valley LGA) Monitor Conditions - Minnie Water, Diggers Camp, Wooli.

Posted: 28/01/2024 11:21

Firefighters have contained a fire burning to the east and north of Lake Hiawatha near the locations of Minnie Water, Diggers Camp to the north of Wooli township, and south of Sandon.

The fire has burnt more than 4,010ha and is contained.

Current Situation

The fire has burnt to the north of Wooli and to the north and west of Minnie Water.

Crews undertook backburning operations yesterday along the northern side of Diggers Camp Road and south west of the Minnie Water village.

Rain fell across parts of the fireground yesterday evening and overnight, further easing conditions, with minimal fire activity today.

National Parks and Wildlife crews assisted by RFS crews will continue to black out, mop up and continue to strengthen containment lines today.

A number of campgrounds in the area have been closed and people planning to visit camp grounds in the Diggers Camp area are advised to use alternate campgrounds.

Monitor conditions and stay up to date in case the situation changes. Know what you will do if the situation changes.

Minnie Water – Monitor Conditions

Firefighters conducted backburning operations yesterday south west of Minnie Water village. Crews will continue to strengthen containment lines today.

The fire continues to burn to the south west of the Minnie Water village between Lake Hiawatha and the coast.

Diggers Camp – Monitor Conditions

The fire is burning to the west of Diggers Camp between south of Lake Hiawatha and the coast.

Backburning operations were undertaken yesterday along the northern side of Diggers Camp Road. Crews will continue to mop up and patrol this area today.

People in the area are advised to monitor the situation and know what they will do if conditions change.

Wooli – Monitor Conditions

While the fire remains to the north of the Wooli village. People in the area are advised to monitor the situation and know what they will do if the situation changes.

What you need to do

• People in the Minnie Water, Diggers Camp, and Wooli areas stay alert and monitor your surroundings.

• Watch out for emergency services personnel and follow their directions.

• This means looking out for burning embers, changes in wind direction and smoke. Watch for signs of fire in your area.

• Know what you will do if the fire impacts on where you are. Identify a safer location in case the situation changes. This may include a well cleared area or a solid structure such as a home.

• If you are not prepared to the highest level, leaving early is the safest option.

If you are threatened by fire

• If the fire impacts, seek shelter in a solid structure such as a house to protect yourself from the heat of the fire.

• Bring pets indoors and restrain them, close all doors and windows and turn off air conditioners, keep water running if possible.

• Shelter in a room on the other side of the building from the approaching fire, and one that has water and a clear exit out of the house.

• Monitor both inside and outside for small fires and burning embers and turn sprinklers on if you have them.

• Be careful outdoors after the fire has passed as trees can be unstable and fall.

• If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000). 

There are currently no total fires bans in the Northern Rivers region.

The 2023-24 Summer Fire Season arrived early and is now causing concern

 

By late yesterday afternoon the NSW Rural Fire Service had 115 incidents on its online interactive fire map.

All were bushfires or grassfires, with two listed as Emergency Warning - Out Of Control (Bega Valley & Cessnock).

Bushfires at Coolagolite on the NSW South Coast. CREDIT:JAMES BRICKWOOD. The Sydney Morning Herald, 3 October 2023

In the Northern Rivers region there were 7 fires in the Clarence Valley LGA, one in Richmond Valley LGA, one in Kyogle LGA and one in Tweed LGA.

Having burnt since Friday 29 September, the Richmond Valley bushfire at Northern Boundary Trail, Evans Head, had entered Bundjalung National Park and, by yesterday afternoon covered est. 1,235ha. 

Burning near to the unexploded bomb area of the RAAF air weapons range, it also came too close for comfort to houses in the small coastal village of Evans Head.

Flames lit up the night sky over the small coastal town of Evans Head on the NSW north coast.(Supplied: Allyson Cuskelly). ABC News, 3 October 2023

At 6pm, there are 86 fires burning, with 29 not yet contained. There are currently over 1300 firefighters and incident management specialists working to contain these fires. Extreme and high fire danger has been forecast tomorrow, with 3 TOBANs declared. https://t.co/SwFG8PzKTA pic.twitter.com/d6P3CcVSPT

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) October 3, 2023

Fire Danger Ratings and Total Fire Bans in NSW can be checked at:

https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fdr-and-tobans

In the early hours of Wednesday 4 October the Coolgolite fire ground in the Bega Valley had grown to 4,529ha and fire had broken out on Goodwood Island in the lower reaches of the Clarence River in northern NSW. However the number of active bush or grass fires across the state had fallen to 85 by 1:20am.

NSW BUSHFIRE SEASON STATE OF PLAY 2023: the Rural Fire Service Chinook helicopter which arrived in NSW in July was deployed for the first time to fight Clarence Valley fires in August 2023

From 1 September, the following NSW Northern Rivers local government areas are beginning their official Bush Fire Danger Period: 

Clarence Valley, Ballina, Byron, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed. 

Fire itself not understanding the bureaucratic love of schedules and lists decided to make itself felt in the Clarence Valley in mid-August resulting in a Sec.44 bush fire emergency declaration (localised state of emergency) to enable a co-ordinated air and ground response to fires in the the Pillar Valley region.

The new NSW RFS Chinook waterbombing helicopter was used to contain fires in the Coutts Crossing area on 20 August 2023.

The RFS Chinook aircraft was deployed for the first time after arriving in NSW last month. (Supplied: NSW RFS/Sean Leathers). ABC News 20 August 2023

As of Tuesday 29 August 2023 the NSW RFS "Fires Near Me" webpage reported that in the Clarence Valley LGA:

• 4 remaining grass fires are Under Control with only monitoring required; and

• of the 9 remaining bushfires 8 are Under Control and one classed as Being Controlled. 

From 1 September, the following LGAs also begin their Bush Fire Danger Period: 

Muswellbrook, Singleton, Kempsey, Nambucca, Mid-Coast, Port Macquarie-Hastings,  Bellingen, Coffs Harbour,  Gunnedah, Liverpool Plains, Upper Hunter, Bega Valley, Eurobodalla, and Shoalhaven, Tamworth, Bogan, Coonamble, Walgett, Warren, Moree, Gwydir, Narrabri, Gilgandra, Warrumbungle, and Midwestern.

This is in addition to the six LGAs that commenced the danger period on 1 August: Armidale Regional, Walcha, Uralla, Glen Innes Severn, Inverell, and Tenterfield.

Once a Bushfire Danger Period commences landholders in these LGAs need to apply for a permit to burn off and notify their neighbours and local fire authorities 24 hours before lighting up. Free permits are available by contacting your local Fire Control Centre.

On 27 August 2023 NSW Premier Chris Minns and Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib issued a media release stating in part;

Iconic fire danger rating signs on roadsides across NSW are getting a digital facelift, with the Rural Fire Service (RFS) set to provide real-time fire risk information to communities via remotely operated signs.

More than 200 digital fire warning signs are being rolled out, as the state approaches bushfire season.

The signs, which are powered by solar panels, are automatically updated each day in line with fire danger ratings on the RFS website. The ratings are informed by data from the Bureau of Meteorology.

The digital upgrade means RFS volunteers will no longer need to manually change the signs daily.

The signs use the revised Australian Fire Danger Rating System, which includes four categories for fire danger: 

Moderate (green), High (yellow), Extreme (orange) and Catastrophic (red), with simple actions for the community to take at each level. On days when there is minimal risk, ‘no rating’ is used.

Armidale, Walcha, Uralla, Glen Innes Severn, Inverell and Tenterfield given early bushfire warning by NSW Rural Fire Service

ABC News, 1 August 2020:

Parts of northern New South Wales should be on high alert for dangerous bushfires early this year, the Rural Fire Service (RFS) has warned. 

Residents in Armidale, Walcha, Uralla, Glen Innes Severn, Inverell and Tenterfield are being urged to come up with an emergency fire plan and clear their yards and gutters. 

Spokesman James Morris said the RFS was especially concerned about grassfires in the region, given recent rainfall had led to new growth. 

"It doesn't take long for these areas to dry out and see that risk and that's why we want people to make sure they're prepared year-round for these fires," he said. 

Warnings to get ready for bushfires are usually issued around August when the weather starts to warm up heading into spring. 

This year, RFS leaders know they will also need to make changes to their fire response, while COVID-19 restrictions are in place. 

"There's the added pressure of the pandemic as well," Mr Morris said. 

"That will obviously put challenges on a number of functions that are undertaken during a bushfire seasons, like community meetings and evacuation centres." 

Thousands of homes were destroyed during Australia's "Black Summer" and more than 5 million hectares of land burnt across the state. 

While only six councils in the state's north are currently in the BFDP, Mr Morris said the RFS remained concerned about areas further south that were also devastated by severe blazes. 

"We still have a lot of grass and bushland out there that is still yet to burn," he said.

Clarence Valley Rural Fire Service boosts firefighting numbers ahead of 2020-21 bushfire season

Clarence Valley Independent, 19 June 2020:

The Clarence Valley Rural Fire Service (RFS) have been inundated with new members, with an increased number signing up since the start of last year’s horrendous fire season.

Since January 2019, approximately 303 volunteers have signed up (240 of those have joined since September 2019).

Clarence Valley Region RFS operations manager Ian Smith said that to get over 200 (new members) in a season, is unprecedented.

“Across the Clarence Valley we have a total of 1237 members. An increase of 240 is approx. 24 percent increase in numbers since September 2019,” Mr Smith said.

“In 2016 our total new members were 67, in 2017 it was 74 and in 2018 there were 86,” he said.

Mr Smith said that among the top numbers of brigades to receive new members were: Trenayr Brigade 32, Southhampton 27 and Woombah 26 and 23 new members in the Clarence Valley Catering.

“The breakdown of our new members consists of 206 male and 102 females. Our youngest new members are two 14-year-olds from Copmanhurst and Tyringham brigades and our oldest (new) member is 80 years old, in the Catering Brigade,” he said.....

More news about one NSW Northern Rivers fireground; "people came in droves" to defend the rainforest

Nightcap National Park in August 2012. Image: Kris Excell, Flickr 

Watch ABC TV "7.30", Community Defenders help fight rainforest bushfires here (5 mins. 17 seconds).

When more than 40 bushfires raged across New South Wales last month, one community gave fire fighters some welcome support.

It happened in and around Mt. Nardi, Nightcap National Park and Nimbin in the Northern Rivers region.

The local volunteer Community Defenders worked "their guts out" according to a NSW Rural Fire Service (NSWRFS) crew leader. 

"And I'm so proud of them. Without the volunteers we would not have contained this fire."

Hearing that the World Heritage-listed Gondwana rainforest was under threat people from miles away "came in droves" to help the defenders protect that forest.

It is believed that at least one hundred people were working with the Rural Fire Service crews on duty during November.

ABC News, 9 December 2019. Image: Felix Schafer-Gardiner

While the Rural Fire Service volunteers fought the fire on the frontline, the Community Defenders did the work behind the scenes. 


In the past, the fire service would have tried to do both.

"The communities sought good and strategic advice from us and they worked with us", [NSWFRS] Captain Mantscheff said.

"Huge control lines were being consolidated and constructed.

"Their marvellous feats of endurance to drive them and construct six-lane highways that would make it very difficult for the fire to get across.

"It made our firefighting job so much safer.

"It bought time and no one lost a home there because of the work that was being done.

"Man oh man, they stepped up in such a way that we, all of us in uniform, were just completely blown away and continue to be because they're still out there now."

One NSWRFS volunteer tweeted about everyone working on that fireground in November; "It was an absolute honour and privilege to work alongside all those people".

Fire did eat into the national park, but it did not destroy it all.

In December fire ignited in the Mt Nardi area again and as of 10 December 2019 it was listed as being under control. The local community continues to help.