Rivers front gate
 Within a day of the firestorm hitting Canberra,
Australian Army SAPPERS began construction of
many kilometres of firebreaks to outflank the blazes
that raged around the Capital.

Chainsaw crews from the 5 Combat Engineer Regiment and the 8 Combat Engineer Regiment went to work to clear roads needed for the movement of emergency vehicles. The 26 Transport Squadron provided refuelling and water tankers.

From January 14, an Army team (17 Construction
Squadron) had been cutting fire trails for days to
help fight the threatening blaze.

Australian Defence Force

Above and Right:
A chainsaw crew from 27 Sqn, 5CER, clear a track in the
devastated hills near Canberra on January 19.

Photograph Corporal Belinda Mepham, Army newspaper,
Department of Defence



Rivers front gate

19th January Mt Stromlo Observatory    front page    19th January ADF page 109 to 111

Last updated 24 December 2004