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Protecting the Community - Bushfire at SSAA South Ripley - November 2010

Just when we thought the fire season that we never really had was over; the pager went off on Novemebr 17 just after lunch notifying the Brigade of a grass fire at South Ripley. A sizable smoke plume was evident from the station and Jim our resident pathfinder confirmed the fire warranted multiple crews straight away. Over the next eight hours, Crews from Ripley Valley RFB including RV81, RV41, RV51 and RV52 along with Wood Hill 51 and Greenabank 52 attended and controlled the fire which had burnt out over 16 hectares of grass and bushland adjacent to the SSAA Rifle Range.

On arrival, the fire had a 200 metre front and had stretched to nearly 8Ha in size.

The scene along the eastern flank and quick burn was required, Matty got to do the hot shoe shuffle.

These were stills taken from the helmet video camera, no the wind wasn't blowing that strong that the power poles bent.

Chucka hoping for rain.

None came.

By the time the fire was fully ringed and the area made safe; the incident had grown to just over 16 Ha, but it could have been a lot bigger had the crews not been able to stop it before it got too far into inaccessible terrain in Woodhill RFB's territory. The guys did a great job with over 400 metres of hand made breaks required to cut off the fire.

Knock off time; yet another reminder green grass can burn; plenty of dead fuel underneath. Job well done; another Clean Sheet to the team.

Thanks to all those who helped.

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