Employees of the governing commission fought a long end weary fight to prevent such a disater. Not till late afternoon, when the wind began to weaken, were the fires brought under complete control. The fires had begun on the Cotter catchment area, in country heavily grassed, timbered with stringy bark and gum, and carrying a thick undergrowth of dead tea trees. Discovered on Wednesday afternoon, they had then seemed alarming. Late at night it was reported that they had all but burnt themselves out.
At 4 o'clock yesterday morning a westery gale arose, the fires revived, broke away from the men who had been left on guard, and raced towards the junction point of the Cotter and Murrumbidgee Rivers. In their direct path, across the rivers, lay the great pine plantation of Mount Stromlo and the Federal Observatory site. Men were rounded up from all parts of the territory.
By mid-day 200 fighters, aligned along a five mile front, were beating back the flames with wet bags. Twice during the day disaster appeared imminent. On one occasion tho fire, darting off sideways, threatening the homestead of the nearby Uriarra station. On the other flames caught the scrub within 100 yards of the Cotter River. Both outbreaks were brought to control after struggles extending over several hours.
Late last night the flre-fighters were still at their posts