Cpl James Russel, 2 Tp, ERS, supervises backburning at Gudgenby homestead in the Namadgi National Park to reduce the risk of further devastating fires.

Check out our gallery of Canberra Bushfire Images by Army Newspaper Reporter
Cpl Belinda Mepham

SAPPERS began outflanking raging firestorms within 24 hours of a state of emergency being declared in the nation’s capital.

Army in fight to stop fire attacks

Army assistance to the ACT was at the bushfire’s front line less than a day after firestorms devastated Canberra’s western suburbs on January 18.

Defending his patch on the day

“IF YOU stay here you may not have a path to escape from in a minute – you need to evacuate now,” was the advice from Emergency Services on January 18.

Bridge over troubled water

ARMY engineers stepped in to help visitors to Canberra’s fire-stricken Cotter area ford the river once again.

Reservists into action in Victoria

HUNDREDS of Army personnel, mainly Reservists, have contributed to the massive effort to combat bushfires that have burnt more than 1 million hectares of Victorian parks and forests.