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Protecting the Community - Undullah August 2011

Smoke had been building to the south of Ripley for nearly a week as a large grass fire slowly worked it's way north along Undullah Road, Undullah in inaccessible territory, part of Wood Hill RFB's nominal patch. On Thursday 11th August, along with crews from Greenbank and Wood Hill RFB's, Ripley Valley crews attended an on site planning session at the corner of Undullah and Rice Roads to assess the situation. Area Director Craig Smith came along to offer assistance and air operations provided the latest intel from several fly overs. What started out as a planning session soon turned into a day with plenty of off-road driving and some good old foot stomping fire fighting.

The view from Rice Road looking south, plenty of smoke filled the countryside from numerous fires burning across the south east.

Craig Smith AD getting the latest data from Air Ops via the A-TOM Mapping system and Jim Runham RVRFB utilising OziExplorer and updating information from GPS tracks from the ground crews. The data was then amalgamated into the OziExplorer system.

A screen dump from OziExplorer.

A later screen dump from TOM.

Getting access to the fire front was challenging to say the least. Even where there were tracks; dozens of trees had come down blocking the way. Greenbank 81 and Ripley Valley 51 start clearing a track.

Plenty of chainsaw practice.

Crew of Ripley Valley 51, Squirt, Matt and George.

Whilst the fire was very large; it was also very low in intensity. On the western side of the fire near Undullah Road; there were a few active pockets of fire so George and Matty P (aka Hungry) set off on foot to extinguish it.

Not much to look at but this was the size of one of five active pockets of flame on the day.

Patrolling the edge.

Heading back to control point; more trees to watch out for and some new ones down; a dangerous game to play.

Some crew changes and RV51 stayed behind to monitor the fire for the rest of the day. A few showers came through and some hoped that the fire would self extinguish. Some also believe in Santa Claus.

Time to knock off; we'll be back.

Thanks to all crews who helped especially Jan and Bec Runham who fed us well in the middle of nowhere.

 

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