A nightmare begins...

8th January 2003

Early this morning, NSW residents awoke to temperatures soaring 30°C and above. Illawarra, Shoalhaven and the Southern Ranges were alerted as areas of catastrophic fire danger by the NSW Rural Fire Service. A cold front swept through the state of NSW, presenting forceful winds and thunderstorm movement, however rain has not been forecasted, leaving South Eastern Australia in its third season of rain deprivation. These weather conditions triggered lighting, beginning fires along the fringe of NSW as well as in the forestation area of Western Canberra. They have so far destroyed a major area of the Alpine National Park situated in Victoria and are proving difficult to control. They are heading in an Eastern direction; however there remains little concern for Canberra residents. Extensive fires burn throughout the Brindabella and Namadgi National Park.

-Olivia Brown, ABC Reporter

Fire burning in the Brindabella National Park.

Fires burn strong

17th January 2003

Children in the urban area of Hawker prepare their homes
for the likely occurrence of a bushfire.



This image shows the position of the fires on the 17th of January
2003. From what is displayed, the fires have not yet entered
Canberra but burn in clusters around its fringe.

It has been 9 days since the national bushfires started in Victoria and NSW. Wind speeds have intensified to over 20km/hr and temperature is rapidly inclining. Fires are burning around the fringe of the ACT but are yet to enter the Territory. They are suspected to make a breakthrough and target Canberra early morning tomorrow if conditions worsen.  This uncertainty has made it difficult for information regarding the fires to be distributed to the community, however  people living within the rural Western suburbs of ACT are urged to sufficiently prepare for upcoming fires in case of the need to evacuate.  All have been informed to keep their telephone lines accessible and tune in to the ABC radio channel for any upcoming information or news.


-Olivia Brown, ABC Reporter

The Canberra bushfires strike!

18th January 2003

A Skycrane helicopter holding 10,000 litres of water bombs the oncoming
fires burning along Canberra's rural fringe.
 

 

ACT residents awoke around 8am to oppressive temperatures of 32 degrees and climbing. Individual fires pushed in an easterly direction collided to create a 35 kilometre long fire front. Powerful north westerly winds heading from  NSW and Victoria forced the fires into the border of the ACT , preceding their journey towards Canberra. The dry air was thickened by haze. Embers began snowing on residential lawns at approximately 9am, signalling the fires approaching on Canberra. Canberra residents remained unaware towards the fires whereabouts and awaited the instruction of authorities. Humidity levels had dropped by midday, presenting an incline in the intensity of the fire. Temperature increased to 36°C and overall wind speed was strengthening. The fires progressed towards the centre of the ACT, resulting in the evacuation of suburbs to the south of Canberra. At 2.45pm, a state of emergency was declared by ACT’s Chief Minister, Sir Jon Stanhope. Subsequent to this announcement, fires entered urban area. It was proclaimed that there had been a “rapid deterioration” in the situation of the fire.  The ACT Rural fire fighters spread from the front and began to focus on protecting suburban properties in the path of the fire. Wind speed increased to 48km/hr, reaching a peak of 65km/hr. Reports from other ABC representatives flooded the database at around 3.30-4pm announcing the alighting of suburbs Duffy and Chapman, with many more suburbs put on alert for fire infiltration. Because of the terrain, the fires hit inland suburbs at precipitous speed, tearing down the pine forests and native bushland. Strong winds displaced embers, which then created spot fires and further residential fires. Buildings were hastily demolished, becoming unrecognizable in the conditions. Many residents tried to fight fires that lapped at their residence whilst waiting for the assistance of relief services, but were torn away as the threat of injury was too high.

Eventually, many suburbs were made to evacuate as the situation became unstable, with fire conditions uncontainable. This action was enforced by the police and citizens were moved to safe centres managed by governmental volunteers and staff. These weather and fire conditions remained consistent for over 2 hours, destructing many more suburbs and industrial infrastructures. Despite the overall negativity, charitable services such as St Vincent De Pauls and The Salvation Army responded selflessly in the face of the fire, offering short term warmth and nourishment to evacuated communal members. Community services such as counselling were placed onsite to offer victims respite and emotional support. Medical services such as the Canberra hospital worked manically to relieve victims, treating hundreds of patients suffering with 3^rd degree burns and smoke inhalation. These gestures show the outstanding compassion individual services offered towards Canberra’s most vulnerable people.  Numerous occupied suburbs were deprived of electricity, and were expected to remain this way for 24 hours. At approximately 8pm, the wind direction shifted to south-easterly at  24km/hr and continued from the east throughout the remainder of the evening. Temperatures began to decrease and humidity augmented.  By this stage, the extent of the damage is unknown, but further details of today regarding damage and response will be revealed over the  incoming week.


-Olivia Brown, ABC Reporter





Members of the ACT Rural Fire Squad vigorously fight at the fire's front.

The Aftermath

19th January 2003

Duffy residents comfort one another as they lament
their destroyed suburb.

Fires remain strong throughout the ACT despite the continuous efforts of the fire brigade, however today, weather conditions have begun to stabilize, helping reduce the ferocity of the fires and relieve conditions for the determined fire brigade. It is still unclear of the extent of the damage caused by these fires, however extensive research has been undertaken to find these statistics and to pinpoint the starting influences of the fire. From current perspective, Duffy is definitely the worst hit area, holding 2 deaths alone. Sir Jon Stanhope, ACT's Chief Minister, has promised the majority of the damage to be replaced within 12 to 18 months, working in conjunction with the government and the Canberra Bushfire Appeal, an appeal in which the general public can donate towards the rebuilding of Australia's "Bush Capital" and other affected areas.

Evacuation services have been set up across the territory and are filling rapidly and others are boarding with friends or family. Until notified, residents have been asked to remain in their homes. The Emergency Service Bureau expects the fire will be become easy to contain when it enters grasslands, but there has been multiple difficulties in managing the fire front and fires within residential areas.  Immense personal hardship and grief has been created as a result of these bushfires for individual victims. One victim, Ione Kitson, describes the emotions that she and her family experienced; "Sadness that we lost so much and my children lost a lot of innocence in their childhood." It displays that a disaster like this has an underestimated mental effect towards its victims, especially those who lost almost everything. There is an obvious definition between the responses of each individual, depending their personal experience and emotional/ mental / physical stability. Some who have lost a loved one, belongings or their home remain inconsolable after the majority of the damage has been undertaken, whereas others who have minimal damage towards their property and everyday lives remain from this incident. Prime Minister Jon Howard describes the fires as being “The worst he has ever seen.” The ABC sends their thoughts and furthermost empathy to those who have suffered this atrocious disaster.

-Olivia Brown, ABC Reporter
 

 

The burnt remains of the Stromlo Pine Forest,
a thriving area of natural vegetation left
as barren wasteland.

Ione Kitson stands amongst the rubble in what
was once her hallway.

 

Fires Banished!

7th March 2003

This image shows the gradual progression of the bushfires from their beginning on the 8th of January to the 21st of January, when the fires no longer posed a direct threat towards the ACT.

The treacherous last months have finally come to a close as fires were officially announced under control today. This leaves residents across the South East of Australia, particularly the ACT, in exultation and exhaustion. Extensive scientific research confirmed that the Canberra bushfires on the 18^th were the result of a severe fire storm. The climatic conditions present over the previous month had preceded the fires, creating the ideal breeding ground for the bushfires as all elements needed for a bushfire to begin was fulfilled. The strong winds stimulated the oxygen source, the drying temperatures generated the heat source and native vegetation and grasslands found throughout Australia created the perfected fuel source. A lightning strike triggered the bushfires, which then developed into a severe firestorm. The fires had an astronomical impact towards the overall composition of society. Over 500 residential homes were destroyed, presenting the issue of homelessness for many families and individuals. 4 people were killed and 490 were with injury, creating emotional trauma and loss within the community.  The insurable loss and damage bill for the fires is proposed to be more than $450million, making them the second most expensive fires in Australian history .



The haunted remnants of the momentous Stromlo
Observatory after the fires exorbitant impact.

 One of the most significant industrial infrastructures damaged in the blaze was the Mount Stromlo Observatory. Much of the building and its equipment was consumed, causing destruction of great scientific and historical loss, heavily impacting the Astronomy and Astrophysics industry in Australia. The ruining of suburban and rural property left many in financial crisis, unable to obtain new land or rebuild their homes. The environment was left devastated by the fires, with an estimation of 1/10^th of Australian land diminished and over 70% of the ACT destroyed. The vegetation and water quality of the Cotter River Catchment was impacted, further reducing Canberra’s water reserves and the issue of ongoing drought within the region. Hundreds of domestic and native animals within the territory perished in the bushfire conditions, their ecosystems disrupted through destruction of natural habitat and food source. The Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve suffered the loss of many rare species, including 4 Regent honeyeaters, further endangering this protected species. Canberra’s environment and society will take a substantial amount of time and attention to regenerate and return to its previous state.

-Olivia Brown, ABC Reporter

 

Remembering and reflecting.

18th January 2004

Today, Canberra is revisited to commemorate those who suffered the ugly bushfires which burned throughout the ACT in 2003. It is an exact year since the most vicious day of the fires. These fires were believed to have been the worst fires in the ACT and New South Wales in 50 years. These bushfires have been followed by initiatives in place by the government and community to ensure this level of destruction does not occur again. An official response undertaken by the ACT government was The McLeod Inquiry, used to analyse the events and operational reaction towards the bushfires.  The inquiry showed that an initial delay in fighting the fires led to the unrestrainable fires on the 18^th of January. It is believed that if fought more aggressively within its first stages, the fires may have been preventable and this national disaster would not have occurred. More resources should have been used in attempt to reduce the fire. There was little management over accessibility to remote areas and fuel sources in natural hazard areas (e.g. parks). There was a lack of resources within the emergency organisations and a lack of communication between community and reinforcement. Emergency services performed at a consistent high, only deterred because of the difficult weather behaviour and the unexpected intensity of the fires.



A man overlooks his sparse property a year
after it was demolished by the fires.

From these results, the government has been able to improve and customize emergency services as well as use more effective strategies when addressing future disasters of similar nature. The Federal government has since issued an increase in equipment and resources used by rural fire-fighting services and emergency centres as well as placed an increased emphasis towards ongoing controlled hazard reduction burn-offs to minimise fuel sources for future fires.  Numerous examples of inter-community bridging, particularly in disadvantaged areas has occurred. Community members have been getting together to deal with emotional and mental trauma from the fires as well as share stories and resources. Fundraisers and events have been organised by various services to help with the rebuilding of Canberra and its community. The government has given a small fund of $5000 to each family, regardless of insurance status, to help cover rebuilding costs. The efforts of the ACT rural fire brigade and the many volunteer and charity services are greatly appreciated by the Canberra community. A bushfire memorial has been scheduled to open in 2006, to acknowledge the effects of the fires, commemorate those who suffered and thank the many organisations and individuals who contributed to fighting the fire and recovery scheme. Although there is still a long way to go along the road to recovery, the government, communal services and the community are uniting to help lift the weight placed on the shoulders of many.

-Olivia Brown, ABC Reporter


Residents and bushfire victims attend a service
commemorating the 2003 bushfires at their local community
centre.



Bibliography