Forest Fire Victoria Gallery

Dromader firebombers carried twice the load of the Pawnees and were the basis of the firebomber fleet during the 1980's. Carrying phosphate fire retardant from often short rough strips for initial attack on mountain fires, these aircraft held many remote fires until ground crews could reach them. AirTractor fixed wing aircraft with greater payload and airspeed increasingly took the lead role into the 1990's, .

Photo: Rod Incoll 1995

Canadair "water scoopers" were developed by Bombardier to attack lightning fires in the lakes country in Canada, during the 1970's. The more powerful CL415 was evaluated by the Australasian Fire Authorities Council in Australia in1995. It was found to operate effectively around coastal regions and large inland waterways but was a single purpose aircraft that required major airfield support - and a very signifcant investment per aircraft plus backup and spares.

Photo: Bombardier

The Erikson "Aircrane" heavy lift helicopter arrived on the Victorian scene in the late 1990's. Imported on contract from the USA and Europe during the northern hemisphere winter, these aircraft provided most effective support due to their heavy payload (6 tonnes of water or retardant), quick fill from the hover position, fast turnaround, and high maneouverability in placing loads compared to fixed wing aircraft. Affectionately dubbed "Elvis" by the media after life and property saving performances close to major cities during bushfires.

Erikson photo.

The Berringa fire occurred in Enfield State Park 25 -26 February1995. Ten thousand hectares was burned and nine houses were lost. This area was once systematically fuel reduced by the Forests Commission but this practice was not sustained, allowing fuel levels to build up.

A series of lightning strikes started fires across the alpine area in mid January 2003. A number of fires were not suppressed during benign weather, allowing extensive high intensity fire development to take place. See "Facts behind the Fire" for a fully detailed account, on our "Articles" page.

Showing the full extent of the high intensity blaze which raged through the Alpine National Park in January 2003. Forest fire mangers have the technology and skills to prevent and control outbreaks of this nature. Download "The Facts Behind the Fire" on our articles page for the full story.

Outcomes of conservation management. Taken in 2005, this picture shows soil totally stripped from extensive areas of the alpine national park. Epicormic buds and basal shoots developed over millenia ensure the survival of fire climax species. As to the recovery of the landscape, what is a century or two in ecological terms?

Photo: Rod Incoll

Where the soil went - downstream. A pleasant mountain stream deeply gouged by runoff unhindered by the roots of fire killed plants and trees. Roads were cut, so great was the force of the raging torrents.

Photo: Rod Incoll

Felling of mature woollybutt for community use after the fire was not allowed. Over the years these trees will fall over the alpine road, requiring costly clearance and inconvenience to travellers and hopefully, nothing worse.

Photo: Athol Hodgson

After strict supervision of licenced logging and considerable time and effort by the Forests Commission to regenerate these woollybutt stands in the West Kiewa River, they were lost in the 2003 blaze. Should this area burn again before the regrowth sets seed, this stand will not be replaced.

photo: Rod Incoll

Taken in 2004, this phooto shows that this extensive stand of white cypress pine was so severely burnt that no regrowth has taken place. Visited again in 2005 and 2006 - no change.

Photo: Athol Hodgson

The area razed in 2003 will burn again. A fire in ground fuels measured at up to 12 tonne/ha through much of the alpine area would be uncontrollable on an extreme fire danger rating day. As many woody species have not yet produced seed, the consequences would be major ecological change. Complacent managers beware.

Photo: Rod Incoll

Summer 2006 brought yet more widespread outbreaks on public land. The Grampians, Brisbane Ranges, and Moondarah State Park were the most widespread impacts. The Department had been unable to achieve its planned level of fuel reduction burning.

The orange parts of this satellite image attest to the national park and private property burnt through in January 2006. Questions as to why the fire was not controlled during benign weather on the first day remain unanswered.

Higher levels of fire intensity throughout the Grampians 2006 blaze result in soil degredation and temporary elimination of animal populations. The fire climax ecosystem will recover, but over decades rather than years. The technology for effective conservation management of areas like the Grampians, avoiding severe ecological impacts of this nature, has been available for many years.

Photo: Athol Hodgson