"More than 200 men from the Queanbeyan, A.C.T. and Tuggeranong Bush Fire Brigades and 60 sailors from Harman naval station fought throughout yesterday to check a bushfire in the vicinity of the Tuggeragong railway siding.
At 9 pm the fire had been brought under control, but 20 men kept a vigil throughout the night to quell any fresh outbreak. More than 1,000 acres of grassland, containing a small amount of timber, was destroyed by the blaze, but apart from the loss of fences, no serious damage was reported.
A change in the wind during the afternoon, and a small creek which formed a barrier to the flames, prevented the fire from sweeping on to the township of Michelago.
The fire travelled six miles in a narrow wedge of blazing grass and rotted logs.
Owing to skilful action by the fire fighters the blaze was
kept on a course well away from houses. Numerous small creeks which
dotted the country where the fire occurred assisted the
fighters.
At one stage the fire swept through half a mile of grassland in
five minutes.
The fire is believed to have started when sparks from a passing goods train ignited grass near the Tuggeranong railway siding about 9am. The siding was notburnt.
The fire soon gained momentum, and residents of nearby farms fought the blaze until help arrived.
The Queanbeyan Bushfire Council's men and equipment were soon on the scene, while fire fighting trucks from the A.C.T. Bushfire Council, stationed at Acton and Mt Stromlo, raced to the area.
Mr Hughie McCormack, of Tuggeranong was first to the scene. The Tuggeranong Bushfire Brigade equipment is housed at his homestead.
FIRE SWEEPS ACROSS PROPERTIESThe fire started near a cutting on the railway line where grass had not been burnt by railway gangs to minimise fire risk. From a grassy patch it burst through into Monk's paddock, swept on to Fitz's Hill paddock and from there moved to the Jerrabomberra Creek.
It moved across into Mr. Arthur Morrison's property at Royalla before crossing into Mr.George Gibbs' property. From there it blazed through part of Mr. Jim Gibb's property, and finally stopped at the Jerrabomberra Creek.
The fire-fighters battled with the blaze under extremely difficult conditions. It was travelling so rapidly that they could not face it head on. They concentrated on each side of it, gradually reducing its width until the creek was reached.
During the latter part of the morning help was called. A truck belonging to the A.C.T. Bushfire Council fitted with a radio transmitted a message to the control station in Canberra and a call was put over local radio stations.
Volunteers were directed to the Cooma Road side of the fire, where the Queanbeyan brigade was fighting against great odds. Among the volunteers were more than 60 sailors from Harman naval station, and several office workers from Canberra.
A jeep laden with hot tea and provisions worked around the fire fighters during the afternoon, providing them with meals. Men on the Canberra fire trucks, however, missed the jeep, and with several other residents of the Tuggeranong district fought the blaze throughout the day without food.
A resident of "Tralee" last night praised the work of Mr. McCormack and the Canberra fire trucks. He said that it was due to their efforts that considerably more damage was not caused. They beat back the flames at crucial points and prevented them from crossing the Canberra road and opening up a new and more dangerous fire area.
The fire caused damage to fences and burnt a quantity of timber. It was stated, however, that the timber mostly comprised rotting logs and tree stumps. During last night Mr.Jim Gibbs brought his tractor to the area and with helpers dragged burning logs from danger spots. Last night the fire fighters were anxiously watching the weather. A windy day today will heighten the risk of another outbreak from the smouldering logs.
It was estimated that about 400 acres of land belonging to Mr John Morrison, 300 acres belonging in Mr Arthur Morrison and another 300 belonging to Mr. Gibbs were completely burnt out.
Restrictions ExtendedExtension of fire restrictions to April 11 by the ACT Bushflre Council is the second longest in the Council's history.
In 1944 the season was extended approximately seven weeks after the usual expiration date, February 28. A council member said yesterday that fires were burning more fiercely now than during the summer months.
There was little green grass after a dry summer and the countryside was in a dangerous condition without rain, the little green grass that remains would shortly be killed by frost."