-Caveat Lector- This story was found at: http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/ 2002/01/03/FFXS9U5FZVC.html
Navy ready to evacuate coastal towns Thursday 3 January 2002 A spot fire in the Shoalhaven on the New South Wales south coast has jumped into a nature reserve and was heading towards the popular south coast holiday spot Jervis Bay. South-westerly winds were pushing the blaze towards the township and to nearby Hyam's Beach, a NSW Fire Brigade spokesman said. The fire, which had its origins in the blaze that claimed at least 12 houses in Sussex Inlet yesterday, was surrounding St Georges Basin, he said. The spokesman said the fire could reach the coast within hours. HMAS Creswell was on standby for a mass evacuation of the area if necessary. The main road across the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, is likely to be closed due to an approaching bushfire. NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Phil Koperberg said the Great Western Highway would probably be impacted by a fire front moving towards Woodford. "We expect that smoke and other conditions such as burning embers and what have you will begin to impact the Great Western Highway," he said. "Exactly where we don't know, but obviously plans are in place to close the Great Western Highway should that eventuate, in a fashion which is timely. "We're obviously not going to close it at the last minute." PM welcomes Elvis Prime Minister John Howard today welcomed suggestions that "Elvis" firebombing helicopters could be rushed to NSW within days, but cautioned that he would rely on the advice of experts. Mr Howard, having indicated the federal government would consider buying a number of the $US15 million helitankers, said the commonwealth remained ready to help. "Anything that can be done will be done," he told reporters in Sydney. But he added: "I am not a firefighter and neither is the Premier of NSW. "Both us will be taking the advice of (Fire Commissioner) Phil Koperberg." Defence Force goes in to help Four navy helicopters, a navy fire truck and crew and a 20,000 litre RAAF fuel tanker are being used to help battle bushfires devastating NSW. Australian Defence Force (ADF) bases throughout regional NSW were also being used to accommodate firefighting personnel and police, the ADF said today. Two navy Sea King helicopters were being used to transport and evacuate firefighters and residents affected by the blazes while two navy Squirrel helicopters were being used for mapping and fire-spotting, Brigadier Bornho lt said. Two ADF flexi-dams, large water bladders, are also providing temporary water storage facilities. Emergency Management Australia (EMA) said Attorney-General Daryl Williams had given approval for the ADF support to continue until January 10. EMA said the navy helicopters had been on call since Christmas Day while the fuel tanker carrying Jet A1 fuel, from RAAF Base Williamtown near Newcastle, had been based at Goulburn Airport since December 30 to refuel airc raft used for water bombing. EMA director-general David Templeman said the assistance provided by the defence force was a significant contribution to the combined community efforts in fighting the blazes. "This latest request from NSW Emergency Operations Centre indicates the defence force assets have been fully incorporated into the rural fire service strategic planning with the Sea King helicopters being held in reserve should evacuations of residents in isolated bushland areas be required at short notice," Mr Templeman said. An overview of the fires Between 160 and 170 homes destroyed, including 12 to 20 yesterday in Wollondilly and Sussex Inlet More than 200 other structures destroyed including units, sheds and shops About 50 caravans, cars and boats destroyed More than 1,000 kilometres of fire burning around NSW At least 40 fires started by arsonists More than 20,000 personnel fighting fires, with one-third of them in support capacities 8,000 firefighters are on the ground at any one time 300 firefighters working just on the blaze around West Pymble Firefighters from Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland assisting There have been no fatalities or serious injuries to firefighters More than 60 aircraft deployed each day, including the Air- Crane Helitanker nicknamed Elvis More than 300 homes were saved from the fires raging in the Pennant Hills area yesterday More than 1,000 insurance claims already made, with the total damage bill expected to exceed $50 million Efforts to control the fires have already cost "tens of millions of dollars", Emergency Services Minister Bob Debus AAP This story was found at: http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/ 2002/01/03/FFXS9U5FZVC.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Forwarded as information only; no endorsement to be presumed + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without charge or profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this type of information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + The only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes. -Marcel Proust + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + "Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. 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