Out of control Yuraygir fire covers 2,351ha by 6pm, 31 January 2017

Giant plume from the Fannings Trail fire near Sandon east of Grafton lights up the midnight sky
 from the lookout at Brooms Head on Monday, 30th January, 2016: 

The Daily Examiner 31 January 2017

Only three fires were burning in the Clarence Valley on Tuesday, 31 January 2017 – two small and one large. A grass fire at Lanitza, a bushfire at Candole State Forest in the Powells Gap Rd area and, another bush fire across 2,351 ha of Yuraygir National Park in the Fanning Trail area alight since Monday morning.

Sadly there are suspicions that the state forest and national park fires may have been deliberately lit.

As the Bureau of Meteorology is predicting lower than average rainfall in parts of eastern Australia with temperatures above average though to at least April, the likelihood of more fires cannot be ruled out.

Let’s all make sure that any further fires are from natural weather events such as lightning strikes - by making sure we keep our own fires in our kitchens where they belong it hot windy weather ,as well as keeping a sharp eye out for suspicious activity in bushland or parks and reporting incidents to local police and if necessary the fire brigade.

To report a fire emergency

Call Triple Zero (000)

If you are deaf or have a speech or hearing impairment call 106

For assistance with distressed or injured wildlife call 13 000 WIRES or 1300 094 737 (Grafton and Yamba)

Not Happy, Richie!

If this  account is factual then it seems there is no good deed that Clarence Valley Council is not prepared to punish.....

Clarence Valley Rate Payers, Residents & Business Owners 18 October 2014:

UPDATE 

Clarence Valley Council issued this statement on 20 October 2014 but did not send it to North Coast Voices until after publication:

Clarence Valley Council environment, planning and community director, Des Schroder, said fining people was always a last resort and it was disappointing they needed to be issued on this occasion. He said council rangers and staff from State Government agencies had been called to the site a number of times and at all hours. “We have an obligation to take action to stop stock getting onto roadways – particularly highways – where they can pose a serious risk to the travelling public,” he said. He said council staff had spoken with the stock owner this morning and advised him that if he wanted to contest the fines he could do that through the State Debt Recovery Office and the courts.

Disused coal mine still burning after fifteen days

Australian Mining 20 February 2014:

Expert fire fighting crews have been brought in from interstate to help battle the blaze burning at Hazelwood open cut coal mine.

The fire has been burning for ten days, with experts saying it could be another two weeks before it is put out completely.

Sparked by fires which gripped Victoria on February 9, the coal mine blaze has caused issues for residents in the Morwell area with smoke and ash forcing some people to relocate temporarily.

Fire Services Commissioner Craig Lapsley said while fire suppression strategies had been successful, it was a complex environment for firefighters to contend with, ABC reported.

Firefighters from New South Wales have been brought in to help the 200 people already trying to put out the fire.....

Meanwhile thick smoke and ash has led to some local residents leave their homes with a respite centre open to take people in.

"I've quit cigarettes and I feel like I'm going through a pack a day,"  Anne-Marie Simpson said of the smoke.

A plan to evacuate to town of Morwell has been suspended, but children will be bussed to other schools from tomorrow.....

11 FEBRUARY 2014

 10 DAYS LATER

UPDATE

POLICE SEEK PUBLIC HELP FOLLOWING HAZELWOOD OPEN CUT MINE FIRE

TUESDAY, 25 FEBRUARY 2014 07:01

Latrobe Crime Investigation Unit and Arson and Explosive Squad detectives are seeking public assistance in relation to the Hazelwood open cut mine fire.

The fire, which has been burning for more than two weeks, is believed to have started at a site on the Strzelecki Highway between Morwell and Mirboo North on 9 February at around 1.30pm.

An arson chemist has attended and police are treating the fire as suspicious.

The fire progressed along the Strzelecki Highway through the HVP timber plantation, causing significant damage to plantations, fences and structures, before making its way into the Hazelwood open cut mine where it continues to burn.

There were also a number of smaller suspicious grass fires around the immediate area in Yinnar, Hazelwood and Boolarra on 28 January and again on the morning of 9 February.

Investigators believe an arsonist may be active in the area and could continue to light fires on high fire danger days.

Police wish to speak to anyone who witnessed any suspicious behaviour in these areas and urge anyone who believes they may know the person responsible to contact police.

Anyone with information about the fire is to asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit

www.crimestoppers.com.au.

Inspector Ian Geddes

Manager Media Unit

VP32189/2014 – 6892

The Australian 28 February 2014:

THE elderly, young children, pregnant women and people with lung problems are being advised to leave the worst-affected area near the Hazelwood coal mine fire, in a major escalation of the crisis in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley.

The move comes amid growing alarm in Morwell over rising carbon monoxide levels, ash and smoke from a fire that’s been burning for almost three weeks.

Authorities are advising vulnerable residents in the southern part of Morwell to move temporarily, with the fire in the open-cut mine expected to continue to blanket Morwell in thick smoke and ash for at least another 10 days.

However angry locals heckled Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Rosemary Lester during her announcement, which she says follows consistently poor air quality in Morwell South.

Some residents demanded to know why the relocation advice was only being issued now and why it didn’t extend to the whole of Morwell.

“How about some truth instead of bullshit,’’ one man yelled at Dr Lester.

“We can’t sleep, we can’t go outside, we can’t breathe,’’ said one woman through tears.

“You can’t continue to allow this to happen.’’

Dr Lester admitted it was “unclear’’ what the medium effects of the smoke could be, but stressed it was only people over 65, children under five, pregnant women and people with pre-existing heart and lung conditions who should heed the advice to leave.

Fire authorities predict the blaze, which has been burning in an open-cut coal mine for almost three weeks, will continue to produce significant smoke and ash for at least another 10 days.....

Bushfires expose O'Farrell Government budget cuts

Media Release – Fire Stations closed as Sydney burns

September 10, 2013 

Bushfires expose O’Farrell Government budget cuts: Off-duty crews called-in due to five stations being closed

NSW Government budget cuts have meant that when today’s bushfire emergency hit, five Sydney fire stations were closed, and resources had already been diverted from four others.

The Fire Brigade Employees’ Union said fire stations in Camden, Riverwood, Miranda, Mona Vale and Ryde were all closed due to budget cuts today, requiring Macquarie Fields, Ashfield, Botany and Newtown to be left vacant as crews were sent to cover their areas, while Ryde was not covered at all.

As today’s bushfire emergency hit — with multiple fires in Western Sydney, the Hawkesbury, Blue Mountains and the Central Coast — Fire and Rescue NSW has had to recall off-duty firefighters to cover the gaps and closures.

At Castlereagh, where a large fire is impacting rural properties, the local fire station was also closed on both Sunday and Monday this week.

FBEU secretary Jim Casey said the nature of these bushfires had shown just how irresponsible the O’Farrell Government’s policy of closing fire stations was.

“You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know that hot weather and strong winds can mean bushfires, but it appears to be news to the O’Farrell Government who have been caught with their pants down today,” Mr Casey said.

“Off-duty fire crews had to be called in as neighbouring stations raced to protect life and property, all because budget cuts have left large areas of Sydney without adequate fire protection.

“Budget cuts and the irresponsible policy of closing fire stations meant that as fire conditions developed into a major emergency today, fire stations across the city were shut.

“With fire stations closed, it only takes one major incident in Sydney — like a serious house or factory fire — and resources would be overstretched.”

Mr Casey said the State Government’s reckless approach to public safety was unsustainable, with today’s blazes catching them out well before the official start of the fire season.

“We have been warning the community and the Government about this for some time,” Mr Casey said.

“Fire stations, like all emergency services, are there for a reason — to respond quickly and on short notice.

“Current budget cuts mean the State Government are treating fire protection like a game of musical chairs, shuffling resources around the city and hoping they aren’t caught out.

“At some stage the music will stop and they will be left exposed, with communities around Sydney and the State the ones that will suffer.

“The FBEU is urging the NSW Government to lift these budget cuts and end the practice of temporarily closing fire stations, especially with the experts warning of a dangerous fire season ahead.”

Jim Casey
State Secretary

Tuesday 10 September 2013