Unsurprisingly New South Wales is yet to officially enter drought. However, soils do appear to be drying out in some regions.
The Australian Water Outlook for 11 January 2023 shows the Clarence River catchment rootzone soil moisture is 21% in absolute terms (below average) and in the 11th percentile in relative terms – representing the percentage of available water content in the top 1m of the soil profile.
While the upper layer soil moisture is 2% in absolute terms (below average) and the 8th percentile ranking in relative terms – representing the percentage of available water content in the top 10 cm of the soil profile.
Across the entire Northern Rivers region it appears that only the Brunswick and Richmond river catchments are coming in with an average soil moisture content for the month of January 2023 to date.
Overall the average first 10cm of the state's top soils holds only 0.83% moisture in absolute terms and the root zone 10% moisture.
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology gives north-east NSW a 50–55 chance of exceeding median rainfall between February and May 2023.
On Thursday 12 January 2023 the NSW Rural Fire Service recorded an ongoing bushfire fire at Townsend in the Lower Clarence on 6ha of grass & close tree cover and a fire at Malabugilmah on a 19 ha mix of grass and open woodland. Both fires are under control
Clarence Valley Independent, 11 January 2023:
Smoke rises into the sky as a massive fire takes hold of the Australian Community Care Network (ACCN) and the adjoining property Broomy’s Towing and Recovery on December 28. Image: Ross Pritchard
Heavy black smoke billowed over Grafton’s CBD shortly after 4pm on December 28, as close to 70 firefighters and emergency services personnel fought to contain a large-scale fire which seriously damaged two properties in Fitzroy and Victoria Streets and impacted several nearby businesses.
A spokesperson for NSW Police said the blaze began in a storage area at the rear of the Australian Community Care Network (ACCN) in Fitzroy Street and quickly spread to the adjoining business in Victoria Street, Broomy’s Towing and Recovery.
As Grafton Fire and Rescue 306 Station Captain Garry Reardon and several of his crew members battled the flames from Victoria Street, Grafton Fire and Rescue 306 Station Deputy Captain Chris Rumpf undertook fire attack from Fitzroy Street.
Describing the blaze as extremely fierce, Captain Reardon said local crews were aided by firefighters from Ballina, Lismore, Goonellabah, Casino, Maclean, Yamba, Woolgoolga, and Coffs Harbour, along with Rural Fire Service (RFS) crews from Southampton, Ulmarra, Grafton, and Casino.
NSW Ambulance paramedics also attended the scene and treated several firefighters who suffered minor burns and dehydration as they fought to bring the fire under control and save neighbouring properties.
No other injuries were reported.
“It was a massive blaze,” Captain Reardon said.
“It certainly took hold of the buildings very quickly.
“From Victoria Street, we had fire control within half an hour, but it was still roaring in Fitzroy Street.”
Deputy Captain Rumpf recalled being faced with a wall of flames upon his arrival at the scene, and said conditions were very hot and very intense……
Manager of the ACCN Alison Tomlinson described the situation as a nightmare, and revealed the business lost more than 50 percent of its stock including numerous food and household items, a cool room, and a large freezer, and is currently unable to trade.
Dean Broomhall from Broomy’s Towing and Recovery confirmed they are still operating after their tow truck was saved from the flames which caused significant internal damage to their building…...
Firefighters battle to control the fire after it spread into Broomy’s Towing and Recovering in Victoria Street. Image: contributed
Read the full article here.
