The A.C.T. Bushfire Season - 1997/98 : Some Notable Events so far this Season...

It certainly has become a severe Summer for fires, and can only get worse from here. So far from 1 July up to 31 December 1997 we have had 307 fires.

These are some observation that I have made in the paddocks that may prove of use...

1. We have had at least 6 fires started by fireworks so far, and can expect more. Always keep an eye out for the remains of fireworks at or near the point-of-origin of a fire. Sniff any that you find - if it smells fresh it probably is. We need to document any possible fireworks fires.
2. The Mount Taylor fire was convection driven. Rather than being pushed by slope or fuel or wind, it was pushed in whatever direction the convection column was leaning at the time. We need to keep an eye open for this type of behaviour, and adjust tactics accordingly.
3. The rivers have dried up. We are now equal with the lead-up to the worst of the 1982-83 season in this respect. This has and will continue to make finding water in the remote areas very difficult. Turn-around times for filling up tankers, light-units and even choppers will blow-out, making it essential to use water wisely.
4. The grass is almost uniformly 100% cured. This does not happen often, and is certainly rare so early in the season. Do not rely on watercourses to serve as firebreaks due to having green vegetation - most of them will now burn quite easily.
5. We have entered what is called a "severe rainfall deficiency" - in other words a severe technical drought. A technical drought is based on rainfall only, not on agricultural conditions. To leave this condition we now need either 122 mm of rain in January alone, or 219 mm of rain over the Jan-Feb-Mar period. Somehow I don't think this is that likely.
6. We all know of the lightning ignited fires in the northern Brindabellas. This is a bad sign. We were lucky that the fire on the Dingi Dingi Ridge had only a short uphill run, because it soon had nowhere that it could easily get to, and just backed around a bit. However a strong wind change could have driven it down Flea Creek and into a much larger valley.

So keep your eyes open and stay safe.

Rick McRae