Army - The Soldiers' Newspaper

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

Covering Fire
Soldiers make impact during bushfire crisis

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

Feeling the heat first hand, numerous Army ERS and Engineering assets, supported by high-level operations staff and the ACT workshops, made a big impact on the fire situation in and around Canberra.

Miles of firebreaks were cut and chainsaw crews cleared roads around the ACT essential to the movement of emergency vehicles.

Water and refuelling assets were tasked at numerous staging areas where helicopters and fire trucks needed them.

Other emergency volunteers and members of the public said they were impressed with the tenacity and endurance of the Army sections.

Choking on thick smoke, an ex-serving member and resident of Canberra said he had experienced fear on a two-way range when in the Army but at the height of the crisis, his heart had beat from terror when he fought the flames from the front door of his parent’s house.

Shielding their eyes from warm ash, 5CER and 8CER members begun the clean-up on the roads.

Cautious and slow progress was made. Powerlines were treated like obstacle crossings, live electricity and falling burning trees like snipers.

Kangaroos overtaken by the speed of the fires littered the roads and fence lines were reminders of the fire’s ferocity.

Engineers working on the Cotter Bridge Bypass rescued a family of possums seeking refuge in a tree burning at the base. The new family was surprised to see the inside of the Mog they had been spying on from the top of the branches.

Plant operators from 17 Const Sqn sought refuge when the approaching fire front broke the containment lines where they were grading and dozing.

The only option for the section was to create a firebreak around the equipment and wait until the fire passed. Quick thinking and experience kept the section safe until further guidance could be directed from SES spotters in a helicopter.

In another incident in the heart of the Namadgi National Park a section clearing around a pine forest dashed back towards the historic Gudgenby homestead, fearing the fire was closing in.

With advice from ACT Parks Ranger Geoff Webb the section later returned and cleared a firebreak around a swamp that was a crucial environmental feature of the park.

In the field, the sections experienced heartfelt thanks from the Canberra community.

The generous gratitude was displayed from a handshake and a smile to cakes with “Thank you” iced on top and donations of food and drinks to the soldiers.