1997/98 A.C.T. Bushfire Season

The 1997-98 Prescribed Bushfire Season started early on the 1 October 1997, and finally finished on the 30 April 1998.

The Season was extended by the A.C.T. Bush Fire Council three times due to the continuing high fire dangers.

There were 24 TOBAN's called with over 670 incidents attended.

Some Incidents of Note

Hindmarsh Drive Symonston - 19 November 1997

The fire started around 3.00pm and burnt out around 10 hectares (25 acres). It was 'blacked-out' around 5.30pm that afternoon.

7 Bushfire Service units and 1 ACT Fire Brigade appliance in attendance.

Mount MacDonald - Wednesday 26 November 1997

At midnight a Total Fire Ban was declared; with an Extreme Fire Danger rating forcasted.

Early in the afternoon (around 2.00pm) a smoke plume was reported from the side of Mt MacDonald in the Pierces Creek Pine Plantation.

The fire continued to spread for some hours with a large number of spot fires and the steep terrain causing containment problems. A number of passing storm cells through the afternoon gave some rain but also caused erratic winds. The spot fires occurred on all flanks due to the erratic winds.

The fire burnt out around 6 hectares (15 acres) of pine plantation.

Lees Creek - Friday 28 November 1997

Fire Danger Rating - Very High
The fire was reported at 3.30pm. About 2 hectares (5 acres) of pine plantation was burnt out with 10 units involved. The fire was 'blacked-out' around 8.00am Saturday 29 November.

Cotter Reserve - Tuesday 2 December 1997

Fire Danger Rating - Very High
The fire was reported around 1.00pm. The winds were gusty and erratic. About 6 hectares (15 acres) of native (Eucalypt) bush was burnt including fences and a number of power poles.

16 Bushfire Service units and the chopper were required and the fire was 'blacked out' around 11.00pm that night.

Camp Cotter Mouth (84 Defence Personnel) and 10 groups of campers from the Cotter Camping Ground were evacuated.

Mt Mugga - Wednesday 3 December 1997

The fire was reported at 1.15pm in the vicinity of Quamby Youth Detention Facility. About 2 hectares (5 acres) of native (Eucalypt) bush was burnt with 7 units involved.

Point Hut Crossinmg - 19 December 1997

The fire was reported at 3.08pm and burnt out 10 hecatres (25 acres) of grassland.

12 Bushfire Service units, 2 ACT Fire Brigade appliances, 1 chopper and 1 Emergency Service unit in attendance.

Gossan Hill - 19 December 1997

The fire started at 2.43pm and burnt out 15 hectares (38 acres) of grassland.

10 Bushfire Serive units, 1 ACT Fire Brigade appliance (property protection), 1 chopper and 1 Emergency Service vehicle in attendance.

Yass River Road (N.S.W.) 22 December 1997

The fire which started around 2.00pm at the junction of Yass River Road and Corrigans Road (20km south-east of Yass), burnt out around 3000 hectares of pasture and scrub with some stock losses.

7 A.C.T. Bushfire Service Units were sent to assit N.S.W. Rural Fire Service units.

Mount Taylor 24 to 27 December 1997

The fire started around 12.30pm with 26 Bushfire Service & Act Fire Brigade units, 3 Emergency Service units and 1 chopper in attendance.

The slopes on Mt Taylor were up to 35 degrees with fuels of grass, shrubs and woodland (20 tonnes/hectare), the day was hot and dry (Drought Factor 10) with a light NW wind. The Haines Index was 5.

The fire was unusual as it was convection driven rather than being pushed by slope or fuel or wind. Every time the convection column leant over in a different direction, the fire followed it, causing problems for fire crews.

Adding to the problems a short lived dry air 'tornado' (land spout) was embedded in the column, it was estimated to be 500m to 800m in height.

On 25 December from 6.00am 6 Bushfire Service units patrolling and 'mopping up'.

On 26 and 27 December 1 Bushfire Service unit on constant patrol.

About 50 hectares (125 acres) of grassland/native (Eucalypt) bush was burnt out.

Monaro Highway, Hume - 26 December 1997

The fire was reported at 2.25pm and burnt out 24 hecatres (60 acres) of grassland and pasture.

11 Bushfire Service units and 2 ACT Fire Brigade appliances in attendance.

Tuggeranong Hill - 30 December 1997

The fire burnt out 2 hecatres (5 acres) of grassland.

6 Bushfire Service and ACT Fire Brigade units in attendance.

Pierce's Creek : Old Gravel Pit area - 1 January 1998

The fire was reported at 6.00am and burnt out 4 hecatres (10 acres) of Pine Plantation.

13 Bushfire Service units, 3 ACT Fire Brigade appliances and 1 Emergency Service unit in attendance.

Dingi Dingi Range - 2 January 1998

The fire was started by a lightning strike late Thursday afternoon 1 January 1998 and burnt out 200 hecatres (500 acres) of native (Eucalypt) forest.

12 ACT Bushfire Service units and 3 ACT Emergency Service units in attendance, as well units from Yarrowlumla Shire (NSW) and Parks and Conservation Service (NSW). Five (12 hr) shifts were used over Friday to late Sunday afternoon when the last ACT crews were released.

Isaacs Ridge - 27 January 1998

The fire was reported at 12.25pm and burnt out around 2 heactares (5 acres) of Pine Plantation.

17 Bushfire Units and 1 chopper in attendance.

Pine Island - 27 January 1998

Fire was reported around 8.00pm and burnt out 5 hectares (12.5 acres) of native (Eucalypt) bush.

11 Bushfire units, 3 ACT Fire Brigade appliances and 1 Emergency Service unit in attendance.

Melrose Pines - 28 January 1998

The fire was detected around 4.30pm and burnt out 60 hectares (150 acres) including 40 hectares (100 acres) in adjoining New South Wales and 10 hectares (25 acres) of pine plantation the rest was native (Eucalypt) bush and grassland. A number of properties were also threatened.

22 ACT Bushfire Service units, 2 ACT Fire Brigade appliances and 2 ACT Emergency Service units (there were also 20 Units from Queanbeyan/Yarrowlumla RFS) on the 28 January in attendance and 5 Bushfire Service units in attendance on the 29 January.

Mount Taylor - 29 January 1998

Detected at 10.53am and burnt out 4 hectares (10 acres) native (Eucalypt) bush.

Weston Creek 30 January 1998

Detected at 11.34pm in the Chapman area with 21 ignition points. ACT Fire Brigade appliances in attendance.

Tinderry New South Wales - 1 February 1998

A.C.T. involved at 5.00pm with chopper support. 3 hectares (7.5 acres) native (Eucalypt) bush burnt.

ACT Emergency Service units for chopper support.

Mount Taylor - 22 February 1998

Reported around 11.15am and burning out around 3.5 hectares (9 acres) grassland & native (Eucalypt) bush.

10 ACT Bushfire Service units, 4 ACT Fire Brigade appliances and 1 Emergency Service unit in attendance.

Lower Molonglo River (Huntley) - 24 February 1998

Fire reported by landowner around 2.15pm. Burnt out 5 hectares (12.5 acres) of grassland & native (Eucalypt) bush.

The day had an extreme fire danger rating with a Total fire Ban in force.

17 ACT Bushfire Service units, 3 ACT Fire Brigade appliances and 2 Emergency Service units in attendance. 4 ACT Bushfire Units patrolled overnight with another 2 Bushfire Service units continuing mopping up the next day.

Bramston Street, Fadden - 5 March 1998

Fire was reported 5.43pm and burnt out 1.5 hectares (4 acres).

4 ACT Bushfire Service Units and 3 ACT Fire Brigade appliances in attendance.

Cockcroft Cres, Monash - 8 March 1998

Fire was reported around 7.00am and burnt out 2 hectares (5 acres) of grassland & native (Eucalypt) bush.

4 ACT Bushfire Service Units and 5 ACT Fire Brigade appliances in attendance.

Calwell Hill - 10 March 1998

Burntout 2 hectares (5 acres) of grassland & native (Eucalypt) bush.

6 ACT Bushfire Service Units and 2 ACT Fire Brigade appliances in attendance.

Lakes Road, Bungendore (NSW) - 13 March 1998

The fire started around 9.55am on the Lake Road in the vicinity of the "Douglas" property. and burnt out around 900 hectares (2250 acres) of pasture and native (Eucalypt) bush, with one structure lost and another damaged.

2 ACT Bushfire Service Strike forces (11 ACT Bushfire Service Units in total) were responded, the first at 12.00pm the second around 1.00pm.

Around 50 units from the NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW Fire Brigade, ACT Bushfire Service and ACT Fire Brigade were involved in suppressing the fire. Additionally 3 helicopters, 2 fixed wing aircraft and 2 dozers were also used.

A Total Fire Ban was enforce in both the A.C.T. and surrounding N.S.W.

Red Hill - 22 March 1998

Burntout 25 hectares (63 acres) of grassland & native (Eucalypt) bush.

19 ACT Bushfire Service Units, 2 ACT Fire Brigade appliances, 1 Emergency Service unit, chopper and dozer in attendance.

A Total Fire Ban was enforce in the A.C.T.

Williamsdale - 23 March 1998

Burntout 1 hectare (2.5 acres).

6 ACT Bushfire Service Units and 1 NSW Rural Fire Service Unit in attendance.

Mount Rogers - 24 March 1998

Burntout 2 hectares (5 acres) of grassland & native (Eucalypt) bush.

5 ACT Bushfire Service Units in attendance.

Barton Highway - 31 March 1998

Burnt out 1 hectares (2.5 acres).

4 ACT Bushfire Service Units, 4 ACT Fire Brigade appliances and Australian Federal Police in attendance.

Blundell's Road - 30 May 1998

Burnt out 6 hectares (15 acres) of native (Eucalypt) bush.

7 ACT Bushfire Service Units, in attendance.