Bundaleer North landholders took the opportunity to vent their frustrations at a CFS meeting in Jamestown last week, over what they see as inadequacies in the fire prevention strategies of Forestry SA. Source: Northern Argus
The “debriefing” was called by the CFS to facilitate information sharing between CFS, Forestry SA, South Australian Police and landholders, to determine what strategies worked at the recent Bundaleer North fire and what can be learnt from the experience.
A representative of each agency gave an overview from their perspective of the fire response, and the floor was then opened for discussion.
CFS Regional Four Commander, Bluey Devine described the Bundaleer North effort as a “community fire”.
“Everyone in the community came together and did the best they could. “It definitely could have been much worse,” he said.
However Devine acknowledged fires the size of Bundaleer North test existing strategies and co-ordination of agencies.
He said some of the items raised by the landholders were consistent with those raised at an internal CFS debrief, including communication issues with use of UHF channel nine and the need to develop closer working relationships with farmers.
“The efforts of the farm fighter units can’t be overestimated, and we are very grateful for their support,” he said.
There was however still some challenges in working with farmers who were unfamiliar with CFS protocols on the fireground.
Forestry SA’s Manager – Fire, Justin Cook, did not receive as warm a reception as he might have hoped at the meeting, with landholders standing by their accusations Forestry SA put lives at risk by not maintaining fire trails and water pumps within the Bundaleer Forest.
John Malone is a farmer whose property adjoins the Bundaleer North and attended the meeting.
“The chap from ForestrySA couldn’t answer our questions, and said they had completed all their maintenance on the forest, but we know that isn’t true,” Malone said.
Malone said ForestrySA’s maintenance of fire fighting equipment and trails within the forest was a “laughing matter”.
“There hasn’t been any maintenance in the forest for at least the last two years. There are leaking fire hydrants on the tanks in the forest and the fire trails aren’t cleared.
“There are logs across the trails and trees growing up along them,” he said.
Malone said there was no staff based at Bundaleer Forest, and only 1.5 people at Wirrabara Forest looking after both.
When a recent fire had been brought under control by the CFS and control handed back to ForestrySA there was no one to monitor the fire site and ensure it did not flare up again.
“There are weeds all over the place; it is a great place for noxious weeds,” Malone said.
“The ForestrySA board have a lot to answer for.
“These are historic forests, Bundaleer was the first plantation forest in Australia, and they are just ignoring it,” he said.
Prior to the Jamestown meeting, the Northern Argus contacted ForestrySA, who issued a statement in response to these claims.
“The organization has an ongoing program of fire trail and fire break maintenance and other prevention programs for all of its Forest Reserves and the preseason schedule of works was completed.
“However bushfires are a naturally occurring part of the Australian landscape, many of which cannot be prevented.
“Work undertaken by ForestrySA includes fuel reduction burning, slashing, grazing, fire trail and fire break establishment and maintenance, forest patrols and standby and response.
“Forestry SA undertakes this work with the support of the SA Country Fire Service. “An annual works program is developed and work is scheduled during periods when conditions are suitable.
“The pre season schedule of works was completed,” the statement said.
