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.