The Point Hut Crossing Fire

Every now and again we get a fire that leaves us all shaking our heads in amazement. The fire at Point Hut Crossing at 14:35 on 22 October 1990 was one of them. I happen to see it being lit, by a couple of kids. Weather conditions at the time weren't too bad - it was drizzling rain but ther was a 30km/hr southerly wind blowing,and this was the wild card. The Kangaroo Grass was almost fully cured (unlike most of the grass in the ACT at the time), and by the time I got the fire - 2 minutes later - ther were 3metre flames running off to the north along the river bank.

There was limited access, forceing fences to be cut. We had problems with vehicles being bogged. All up about 70 hectares were burnt, including many planted Eucalypt saplings.