Australian Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades

Up to 50 fires are burning the Victoria's North East and Gippsland areas, started by lightening strikes last Friday. It is feared that the blazes will join over the next few days, producing a 600,000ha wildfire. The Victorian State Government has sought assistance from firefighters in New Zealand, with other Australian states facing their own fires and worsening conditions. 2500 local firefighters are already battling the fires. A Commonwealth Disaster Plan has been put in place, with the Army supplying fuel tankers and other equipment. Resources will be sought from countries such as Canada and the United States. Employers have been asked to release all volunteer firefighters to assist in efforts to control the fires. * [ABC News (Includes Video) - 7/12/06 | http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200612/s1805971.htm] * [Herald Sun - 7/12/06 | http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,20883685-661,00.html] * [Courier Mail - 6/12/06 | http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,20883681-5003402,00.html] * [The West Australian - 6/12/06 | http://www.thewest.com.au/aapstory.aspx?StoryName=338927] * [Sydney Morning Herald - 6/12/06 | http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Bushfires-continue-to-rage-in-Victoria/2006/12/06/1165080983519.html]

A bushfire, which started near Dalgety Road in Herne Hill, has caused the first Zone 2 Activation for the season. West Swan Volunteer Brigade was immediately turned out, with support from Helitacs. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of the Zone 2 Activation cannot be judged from this incident, as the Helitacs were re-deployed to a fire at Whiteman Park. Only one fixed-wing water bomber was available for the Herne Hill fire as the second was out of action for repairs. Extra bombers were called in from Bunbury.

Hot on the heals of the explosive start to the Eastern State's fire season, WA has also begun in a big way. Brigades from all over Perth were called to a fire in [Gnangara Pine Plantation | http://www.calm.wa.gov.au/projects/gnangara_splash.html]. The fire is thought to be a re-ignition of a fire from Friday night. Strong winds caused a flare up which quickly developed into a running fire. This fire saw the first use of water bombers for the season. Brigades were called from the shires of [Wannaroo | http://www.wanneroo.wa.gov.au/], [Swan | http://www.cityofswan.com/], [Mundaring | http://www.mundaring.wa.gov.au/] and [Kalamunda | http://www.kalamunda.wa.gov.au/] to assist [Department of Environment and Conservation | http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/] units, with several [FRS | http://www.fesa.wa.gov.au/internet/] units called in for asset protection. * [ ABC News - 21/10/06 | http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200610/s1770415.htm ]

This year's fire season is well underway in the Eastern States, where firefighters have spent the last week fighting fires across four states. With fire conditions this bad so early in the season, this may be a warning of worse things to come. * [ABC News - 12th Oct | http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200610/s1763567.htm] * [The Australian - 12th Oct | http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20568200-601,00.html] * [Sydney Morning Herald - 12th Oct | http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Vic-SA-TAS-battle-bushfires-in-heat/2006/10/12/1160246231714.html] * [ABC News - 13th Oct | http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200610/s1764154.htm] * [The Australian - 13th Oct | http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20573210-29277,00.html] * [News.com.au - 14th Oct | http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,20572866-2,00.html] * [ABC News - 15th Oct | http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200610/s1765256.htm]

This is the new Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades website. If you are a member of a bush fire brigade, you are encouraged to register an account and post information about your brigade, news and articles of interest. You can help us develop this website into a great resource for all volunteer bush fire brigades to use, as well as keeping each other up to date and informed.