Canberra Bushfires 2003

Firestorms stole complacency from thousands of Canberra residents on Saturday February 18. More than 500 homes were destroyed, thousands of hectares of forest, and park lands were burnt out and tragically four lives were lost in the battle. For two weeks emergency personnel, volunteers and some ADF assets held Canberra together. The ADF contributed expertise in fire fighting and control, crews for clean up, water and fuel.

Series 1 :: Miscellaneous images from ACT Bushfires 2003

Series 2 :: Photo Essay of Cotter Pub Bridge Bypass

Series 1
Thousands of emergency response personnel and volunteers held Canberra together during the devastating bushfires which claimed four lives, destroyed more than 400 homes, and nearly a million hectares of national parklands and state forest.

Series 2
Cotter Pub Bridge Bypass was burnt leaving the residents on the other side cut off from the city. 17 Construction Squadron were tasked to build a temporary bridge until the old one could be x-rayed and resurfaced by ACT roads. The forded bypass will last in the event of another disaster.

Series 3
Gudgenby homestead is next door to the ACT’s oldest Aboriginal art and settlement sites also a swamp land which serves as a natural filter to the ACT water supply. Burning and clearing was carried out over the weeks by 2 Troop and 17 Construction Squadron to preserve these significant sites.