MINUTES of the Shire of Cranbrook
Bush Fire Advisory Committee held on Monday 30 October 2019
at 7:30pm at the Cranbrook Regional Community Hub
Bush Fire Advisory Committee Minutes
Date: 30th October 2019
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Contents 1. ATTENDANCE ....................................................................................................................... 3
1.1 Observers ...................................................................................................................... 3
1.2 Apologies ........................................................................................................................... 3
1.2 Notification of Voting Proxy ......................................................................................... 3
2. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES .............................................................................................. 4
3. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME....................................................................................................... 4
3.1 Response to Previous Public Questions Taken On Notice............................................ 4
3.2 Public Question Time ........................................................................................................ 4
4. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES ........................................................... 4
4.1 Local Government Grants Scheme (LGGS) – Tunney Fire Shed (CEO).............................. 4
4.2 Emergency Services Staff Member. (CEO) ........................................................................ 4
4.3 Training. (ESO) (Attachment 1) ......................................................................................... 5
5. REPORTS ............................................................................................................................... 5
5.1 Chief Bush Fire Control Officer – D Packard ................................................................. 5
5.2 DFES Report – Wes Bailye............................................................................................. 5
5.3 Volunteer Training Officer Report ................................................................................ 5
6. GENERAL BUSINESS .............................................................................................................. 5
6.1 DOAC meeting. (ESO).................................................................................................... 5
6.2 Seasonal Outlook (ESO) (Attachment 5) ........................................................................... 6
6.3 Incident Reporting (ESO) (Attachment 6 & 6a) ................................................................. 6
7. OTHER BUSINESS .................................................................................................................. 7
8. NEXT MEETING ..................................................................................................................... 7
9. CLOSURE ................................................................................................................................ 7
Bush Fire Advisory Committee Minutes
Date: 30th October 2019
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MINUTES OF THE CRANBROOK BUSHFIRE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN THE CRANBROOK REGIONAL COMMUNITY HUB
AT 7.30 PM
The Chief Bushfire Control Officer D Packard declared the meeting open at 7.28pm.
1. ATTENDANCE Chief Bush Fire Control Officer (CBFCO) D Packard 1st Deputy CBFCO P Ettridge 2nd Deputy CBFCO G Marshall Bokerup/Unicup Brigade D Brayshaw Bokerup/Unicup Brigade B Kerr Bokerup/Unicup Brigade R Crosby Central Brigade K Wilson East Cranbrook Brigade H Smith East Cranbrook Brigade P Horrocks Gordon Brigade A De Toledo Gordon Brigade G Egerton-Warburton Kybellup Brigade S Hilder Kybellup Brigade P Beech Nunijup Brigade M Bunker Nunijup Brigade J Beech Tenterden Brigade K Gibson Tunney Brigade N Waldron
1.1 Observers CEO Shire of Cranbrook P Northover ESO Shire of Cranbrook K Bransby
DFES A/District Officer Albany Rural W Baiyle 1.2 Apologies
Bokerup/Unicup T Ettridge Cranbrook Town Brigade J Duina Frankland River D Clode Frankland River Town A Murray Woolonga Brigade N Preston
1.2 Notification of Voting Proxy Nil
Bush Fire Advisory Committee Minutes
Date: 30th October 2019
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2. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES Recommendation Moved: B Marshall, seconded: A De Toledo. That the Minutes of the Cranbrook Bushfire Advisory Committee Meeting/AGM held 15 April 2019 as attached, be confirmed as a true and correct record.
3. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME 3.1 Response to Previous Public Questions Taken On Notice.
Nil
3.2 Public Question Time Nil
4. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES
4.1 Local Government Grants Scheme (LGGS) – Tunney Fire Shed (CEO) As discussed previously the Shire has been successful in obtaining a capital grant of $298,720 for the construction of a new two bay fire shed with meeting room, training room, amenities and 100,000 litre water tank for the Tunney Brigade to house the 2.4 Broadacre and fast fill on land being excised from David Adams property on Homebush Road, Cranbrook. Discussion: The proposed plan has been deemed outdated by DFES. DFES has stated that the new shed must have “drive through” capabilities and a respirator/mask wash down facility included in the design. DFES could not provide any engineering or structural plans for the new design. The Shire will meet with architects to discuss new designs and will get the tender process out ASAP. DFES has only provided a verbal agreement to cover any shortfall in funding as the new design is expected to exceed the current funding.
4.2 Emergency Services Staff Member. (CEO) The Shire approached DFES to determine whether funding for a Community Emergency Services Manager (CESM) could be provided. The CEO will provide an update at the meeting. Discussion: At the time of the meeting DFES has stated that currently there is no budget funding for a CESM in the Shire.
Bush Fire Advisory Committee Minutes
Date: 30th October 2019
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4.3 Training. (ESO) (Attachment 1) DFES are currently making major improvements to the E Academy. Currently there are 6 pathways for volunteers to enrol in. The plan will be to delete the pathways in favour of a module style learning. It is the vision that the basic training (AIIMS Awareness, Intro to Firefighting and Bushfire Fighting) under a new concept can be delivered at brigade level by a suitably trained senior member at the brigades own pace. The Bushfire Centre of Excellence has been trialling these courses and it is expected to be rolled out in January 2020. Discussion: The Shire ESO expanded on the new training model confirming that the new training will be activated in January 2020. It is still unclear as to how the training models will be facilitated.
5. REPORTS
5.1 Chief Bush Fire Control Officer – D Packard Reported that the Shire had very few fires since last meeting. Rocky Gully has 4 plantations burning trash and the CBFCO has asked members to keep an eye out on these plantations for any flare ups.
5.2 DFES Report – Wes Bailye
Wes is new in the role of Area Officer with DFES. Wes has previously been with Department Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) for 10 years.
5.3 Volunteer Training Officer Report Nil
6. GENERAL BUSINESS
6.1 DOAC meeting. (ESO) • Amendment to Total Fire Ban’s (TFB) (Attachment 2) Discussion: No real changes that affect the Shire. • BFAC discussion Item- Regional Resource to Risk.(Attachment 3) Discussion: Round table discussion of the pros and cons of combined region resource to risk submissions. P Northover will provide a report to Council. • ESL funding: Changes to the ESL approved lists. Discussion: The only real change to the ESL is that there will no longer be an approved item list, only a non-approved list. These changes will allow the LG’s to source goods locally without the restrictions of a preferred supplier.
Bush Fire Advisory Committee Minutes
Date: 30th October 2019
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• Inter/Intra District deployment.(Attachment 4 & 4a) Discussion: DFES has requested a list of members that would like to be placed on a state wide deployment register. Any member wishing to take part in a deployment will still need to have brigade FCO and Shire CBFCO approval prior to being placed on the register. Note: Since this meeting the Great Southern Region was asked to provide a strike team to be deployed to NSW to assist in their fires. Cranbrook Shire put forward 4 members along with the Shire ESO to be part of the strike team. Unfortunately no one was selected from the Shire to attend.
6.2 Seasonal Outlook (ESO) (Attachment 5)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA Rainfall deficiencies have persisted across most of the south west of Western Australia, with this area experiencing its driest start to the year, followed by the seventh-driest autumn on record. In addition, drier and warmer than average conditions are forecast through to October, which will increase soil moisture deficits and stress in woody vegetation. These conditions have resulted in above normal fire potential for parts of the Swan Coastal Plain, Avon Wheat belt, Jarrah Forest, Warren, Esperance Plains and Mallee regions. In parts of the Nullarbor, higher than normal fuel loads will contribute to above normal potential. Discussion: Noted by committee.
6.3 Incident Reporting (ESO) (Attachment 6 & 6a) Incident reporting is a legislative requirement of DFES but also contributes to profile building for hazard management and resource to risk (R2R) planning. Reports are to be completed by the OIC of the Primary Attending Appliance1 within nine (9) days of the conclusion of the incident. OIC of all Supporting Appliances2 allocated to their station (excluding Aerial Appliances) are also to complete IRS supporting reports within nine (9) days. 1 The Primary Attending Appliance is defined as the first attending (arriving) DFES appliance irrespective of the geographic location of the incident or station/district boundaries. 2 A Support Appliance is any appliance that attends an incident in any capacity that is not the primary appliance – therefore incidents may have one or more support reports. I have altered an electronic form from the City of Albany and would like to introduce this into the Shire of Cranbrook. The proposed form would take approximately 5 minutes to complete and then would be forwarded directly to myself then to DFES. (See attached copy).
Bush Fire Advisory Committee Minutes
Date: 30th October 2019
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Discussion: Most members stated that they are not willing to fill out reports or deal with DFES Comcen. CBFCO stated that nearly all of the incidents the Shire responds to have been dealt with before he has been alerted by DFES. Shire ESO informed the committee of the importance of obtaining incident numbers for all incidents that occur within the Shire. The reports created could significantly increase the ability to secure additional ESL funding in the future. The responsibility of creating an incident number falls to the ESO and the CBFCO not the FCO of brigades. For this system to be effectively implemented, any incident, regardless of size needs to be relayed to the CBFCO and ESO at the time of the incident. ComCen is to be informed as soon as practical (once brigades have been mobilized and arrived on scene). A modified version of the report was approved by the committee to be trialled.
7. OTHER BUSINESS Nil 8. NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the Bush Fire Advisory Committee will be held in April 2020. 9. CLOSURE There being no further business to discuss, the Chairperson thanked everyone for their attendance and declared the meeting closed at 8.47pm.
Pump Operator
Pump Operations
Bush Fire Service Training Program v This diagram is to
be read in conjunction with the Training Program Implementation Guide
Local Induction
Workplace Trainer Assessor
Training Officer
Recommended
New Course Under Development
Specialist
* = Dependent on
Brigade Role as defined by
Brigade/Local Government
Key
Incident Control Vehicle (ICV) Awareness
Incident Control Vehicle (ICV) Crew
Leader
Incident Control Vehicle (ICV)
Resource Support
Incident Control Vehicle (ICV) Crew
Support
Incident Control Vehicle (ICV) Radio
Operator
Operations Communication
Incident Management Communication
WAERN Advanced Radio Use
HF Radio Principles
Leadership Fundamentals
Incident Reporting System (IRS) Essentials
AIIMS 2017WebEOC Awareness
WebEOC*
FES Maps*
Plantation Firefighting*
Ground Controller
Workplace Trainer
Assessor*
AIIMS Awareness
Introduction to Communications
Leadership Development Lieutenant Fire Control Officer*
Advanced Bush FirefighterAppliance Driver
Leadership Fundamentals
AIIMS 2017
Sector Commander
Incident Controller Level 1
Mental Health First Aid
Fire Control Officer
AIIMS 2017
Sector Commander
Incident Controller Level 1
Incident Controller Level 2
Mental Health First Aid
Pump Operations – Level 1 (DOFA/DORM)
Advanced Bush Firefighting
Crew Leader
Sector Commander
On Road Driving
Off Road Driving
Bushfire Safety Awareness
Structural Firefighter
Bush Firefighting Skills
Pre-requisite
Bushfire Safety and Survival
Bushfire Characteristics and Behaviour
External Structural Firefighting
Introduction to Map Reading
Modules
Page 1 of 1
Breathing Apparatus*
Internal Structural Firefighting*
Provide First Aid
Mental Health First Aid
v Local induction to be completed at Brigade/Local Government level. If no local induction exists, the DFES Volunteer Induction may be used.
Introduction to Prescribed Burning
Four Wheel Drive Recovery
Updated 16/08/2019
DRAFT DRAFT
Captain
Leadership Fundamentals
AIIMS 2017
Sector Commander
Incident Controller Level 1
Mental Health First Aid
Fire Control Officer
Suppress Bush Fire
Ropes and Ladders*
Introduction to CommunicationsIntroduction to Communications
Tools and Equipment
Crew Protection*
Machine Supervision
WAERN Basic Radio Use
Mental Health First Aid
Sector Commander
AIIMS 2017
Leadership Fundamentals
Level 2 & 3 AIIMS Functional Training
Courses
Recommended minimum standard for all personnel at a bushfire or prescribed burn (support personnel)
Recommended minimum standard for all personnel undertaking bushfire suppression or prescribed burning activities
Emergency Driving
Fireline ConstructionChainsaw Training
(External Provider)*
As determined by Local Government
ATTACHMENT 1
Emergency Services Complex l 20 Stockton Bend Cockburn Central WA 6164 l PO Box P1174 Perth WA 6844 Tel (08) 9395 9300 l Fax (08) 9395 9384 l [email protected] l www.dfes.wa.gov.au
ABN 39 563 851 304
Our Ref: 19/110284 Your Ref: LG TFB Update
Attn: Chief Executive Officer Local Government Authority
RE: AMENDMENTS TO THE BUSH FIRES REGULATIONS 1954 – TOTAL FIRE BAN EXEMPTIONS
On 30 August 2018, the Minister for Emergency Services approved the drafting of amendments to the Bush Fires Regulations 1954 (BF Regulations). In essence some of the activities which required a total fire ban (TFB) exemption will be moved into regulations, so that they can be undertaken on a TFB day as long as prescribed conditions are followed. This means that the applicant will not have to formally complete an application form as previously required. The process will mirror that of other states and will reduce red tape.
Importantly the proposed amendments will not affect the existing local government functions and powers, and existing notification requirements, under the Bush Fires Act 1954 and the BF Regulations.
It is anticipated that amendments to the Bush Fire Regulations 1954 (BF Regulations) will come into effect before the coming bush fire season to prescribe activities to which an automatic exception will apply.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services is finalising the BF Regulations with Parliamentary Counsel and would like to take the opportunity to ensure that we have considered any implications, or unintended consequences that these changes may have on local government.
To that effect a process document outlining the anticipated changes is attached. I encourage you to review this information and to contact Michelle Marchese, Senior Regulation and Compliance Officer on 9395 9553 or email [email protected] to discuss any concerns or issues you may have.
Yours sincerely
TERRI KURTIS DIRECTOR, LEGAL POLICY AND COMPLIANCE
26 July 2019
ATTACHMENT 2
2
AMENDMENTS TO THE BUSH FIRES REGULATIONS 1954 – TOTAL FIRE BAN EXEMPTIONS
Total Fire Ban Exemptions not required Currently, an application for an exemption to carry out an activity on a total fire ban (TFB) day must be made to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) at least one month prior to commencing the activity. Once an exemption is granted, the applicant must advise both DFES and the relevant local government before carrying out the activity. It is anticipated that amendments to the Bush Fire Regulations 1954 (BF Regulations) will come into effect before the coming bush fire season to prescribe activities to which an automatic exception will apply. The amendments mean that organisations that would normally have applied for a TFB exemption to carry out most activities will be allowed to carry out those activities without applying for an exemption, providing they comply with the conditions set out for each activity in the BF Regulations. The activities not requiring an exemption application are listed below:
Activities to prevent risks to the health and safety of a person or livestock Hot work Blasting Fireworks Gas flaring Grading and bituminising activity Off-road activity Essential services activity Catering activity
The mandatory conditions specified in the BF Regulations for each excepted activity must be met. These conditions will be similar to the conditions currently attached to approved exemptions. Notification remains as follows:
DFES must be advised of the excepted activity to be carried out between 24 hours and 30 minutes before the activity commences. Such notification will be given via an online portal on the DFES website
The relevant local government must be advised of the excepted activity to be carried out between 24 hours and 30 minutes before the activity commences. Such notification will automatically be provided to local government upon DFES being notified
The Department for Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) must be advised between 24 hours and 30 minutes before the activity commences if the excepted activity is within 3km of any land managed by the Parks and Wildlife Service. It will be incumbent on the organisation carrying out the activity to notify DBCA
Failure of an organisation to make the required notifications will result in a breach of the Bush Fires Act 1954 and compliance action may be taken.
3
Total Fire Ban Exemptions required An application for an exemption from a TFB is still required for the following activities due to the nature and risk associated:
Programmed Hot Fire Training Rail Grinding Religious and/or Cultural Ceremonies
Any organisation that intends to conduct the above activities during a TFB day will need to apply for a TFB Exemption via the DFES website. The application will be processed and considered as per DFES TFB guidelines.
Exemptions under 25A of the Bush Fires Act 1954 There will be no change to the existing provisions relating to applying to DFES for an exemption under section 25A of the BF Act in relation to restricted and prohibited burning times declared by local governments. Organisations holding current TFB exemptions that are due to expire prior to the coming fire season will be contacted and granted extensions to enable them to continue currently exempted activities until the BF Regulations amendments take effect. DFES will deliver an extensive Education program to the community and stakeholders and undertake a compliance regime to manage the changes.
BFAC discussion Item- Regional Resource to Risk INTRODUCTION
Each year local governments are able to submit Resource to Risk (R2R) applications for a Capital Grant consideration from DFES. These grants relate to significant capital works initiatives, including the acquisition of facilities, appliances, vehicles and major items of equipment.
This proposal is not related to the operating grant each Local Government receives to manage the day to day running of brigades.
BACK GROUND
There are limited applications that are successful and each Local Government is competing for the allocation of funds for these capital grants. At a recent Great Southern Regional Advisory Committee (ROAC) meeting it was recommended a need for change in the R2R process to have a collaborative and more strategic approach in how the region prioritises these applications. It was agreed the ROAC is an appropriate committee to prioritise the collective submissions from each local government and submit a more strategic group of R2R applications that have been endorsed by all CBFCO’s of this committee in consultation with the the Local Governments.
RECOMMENDATION
The membership vote to accept a more collaborative approach to the Resource to Risk applications from Local Government within the Great Southern ROAC.
DISCUSSION POINTS If agreed by the Local governments a model or concept plan would be initiated by a working group. This concept would not likely to start until the 2021 year. If agreed to, there will need to be a shift in timings of applications to allow for alignment of ROAC meetings and BFAC meetings. One option is for each Local Government who wishes to apply for the R2R grant to submit to all CBFCO’s a short (150-300) overview of the proposed application for consideration before a ROAC meeting. At the meeting each LG presents to the committee on their application to give members the opportunity to discuss each application. The Chiefs would rank these into priority order for the region and vote to accept these nominations. It would then be up to those highest priority applications to submit a more comprehensive document to be signed off with support from all contributing Local governments.
ATTACHMENT 3
Outcome: Moved: _____________________ Seconded: ____________________ Carried: Unanimously Defeated: Unanimously By Majority By Majority Opposed: ___________________________________________________
ATTACHMENT 4
ATTACHMENT 4a
OVERVIEW The 2019/20 fire season has the potential
to be an active season across Australia,
following on from a very warm and dry
start to the year. Due to these conditions,
the east coast of Queensland, New South
Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, as well as parts
of southern Western Australia and South
Australia, face above normal fire potential.
This August 2019 Australian Seasonal
Bushfire Outlook covers all states and
territories. It provides information to assist
fire authorities in making strategic decisions
such as resource planning and prescribed fire
management to reduce the negative impacts
of bushfire.
Bushfire potential depends on many
factors. The volume, location and timing
of rainfall are critically important when
estimating vegetation (fuel) volumes and
growth. The climate outlook for the next few
months is also a crucial factor. Of particular
interest are the future tendencies of Pacific
sea surface temperature associated with the
El Niño-Southern Oscillation, as well as the
Indian Ocean Dipole, major climate drivers
over Australia. Other less quantifiable factors,
such as the distribution and readiness of
firefighting resources, are also considered.
The Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook:
August 2019 is developed by the Bushfire
and Natural Hazards CRC, AFAC, the Bureau
of Meteorology, Queensland Fire and
Emergency Services, the New South Wales
Rural Fire Service, ACT Emergency Services
Agency, ACT Parks and Conservation
Service, Country Fire Authority, Department
of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
Victoria, Tasmania Fire Service, Country Fire
Service, Department of Fire and Emergency
Services and Department of Biodiversity,
Conservation and Attractions Western
Australia, and Bushfires NT.
RECENT CONDITIONS Seasonal fire conditions are a function
of fuel amount and state, and seasonal
weather conditions. The year to date has
been unusually warm and dry for large parts
Australia. For January to July, rainfall has
been below to very much below average
over much of Australia (Figure 2, page 2).
It has been the fifth-driest start to the year
on record, and the driest since 1970. This is
especially the case over the southern half of
the country, which has experienced the driest
January to July on record (January to July
1902 is the second driest). Areas of above
average rainfall are largely confined to central
Queensland, extending to the coast.
Some areas, such as New South Wales
into south eastern Queensland, are into their
third year of dry conditions. It will take a
number of months of above average rainfall
to remove the deficiencies which are in place,
meaning that general landscape dryness is
likely to persist for many areas.
The warming trend means that above
average temperatures now tend to occur
in most years, and 2019 has followed this
pattern. Across Australia, temperatures for
AUSTRALIAN SEASONAL BUSHFIRE OUTLOOK: AUGUST 2019
January to July have been very much warmer
than average (2nd warmest for this period on
record, 1.46°C above the 1961–1990 average),
with daytime temperatures the warmest on
record (1.85°C above the 1961-1990 average,
see Figure 3, page 2). Summer 2018/19 was
exceptionally warm (2.14°C above average,
over 0.8°C greater than the previous warmest
summer on record). These high temperatures
add to the impact of reduced rainfall, and
increase evaporation, further drying the
landscape and vegetation.
As might be expected given the broad
climatic factors, an early start to the fire
season has been declared in many areas
across eastern Australia. The dry landscape
means that any warm and windy conditions
are likely to see elevated fire risk. Countering
the climate signal, poor growth of grass and
annual plants means that vegetation loads
are reduced in drought affected areas.
Fire season severity is increasing across
southern Australia as measured by annual
(July to June) indices of the Forest Fire
Figure 1: AUSTRALIAN SEASONAL BUSHFIRE OUTLOOK AUGUST 2019. AREAS ARE BASED ON THE INTERIM BIOGEOGRAPHIC REGIONALISATION FOR AUSTRALIA AND OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES.
1| All Hazard Notes are available at www.bnhcrc.com.au/hazardnotes
ISSUE 63 AUGUST 2019TOPICS IN THIS EDITION | FIRE IMPACTS | FIRE SEVERITY | FIRE WEATHER
Above normal fire potential
Normal fire potential
ATTACHMENT 5
are favoured. The outlook for minimum
temperatures (not shown) suggests above
average temperatures are favoured across
northern and western parts of Australia,
with probabilities above 80 per cent in
western parts of the Northern Territory
and northern Western Australia. Historical
accuracy for spring maximum temperatures
is moderate to high for most of Australia,
except parts of northern South Australia.
Minimum temperature accuracy is patchy,
but generally moderate across much of
eastern Australia including Tasmania, and the
tropical north. Moderate to low accuracy is
seen across western Western Australia and
South Australia, with low accuracy in central
Western Australia, the central Northern
Territory and parts of western Queensland.
Updates to climate forecasts and the
outlook for the Indian Ocean Dipole and the El
Niño-Southern Oscillation will continue to be
published at www.bom.gov.au/climate/ahead.
REGIONAL SUMMARIES
QUEENSLAND2018/19 was a record fire season in
Queensland, with November/December 2018
seeing unprecedented bushfires along the
central to north coast. Following on from this,
December 2018 saw record rainfall on the
North Tropical Coast, as well as the Herbert
and Lower Burdekin forecast districts.
February and March 2019 also saw record
and very much above average rainfall over
northern parts of the state. Conversely for
the 12 months to 31 July 2019, rainfall has
been very much below average in south
eastern parts of the state.
The lack of rain has resulted in the root
zone soil moisture being below average – in
Danger Index (FFDI). The increases are
tending to be greatest in inland eastern
Australia and coastal Western Australia.
For example, the Victorian annual FFDI has
increased by about 50 per cent since 1950,
with 2018/19 the fourth highest on record,
behind the severe fire seasons of 2002/03,
1982/83 and 2006/07. The increases reflect
rising temperatures and below average
rainfall during the cool season (April to
October).
CLIMATE OUTLOOKThe climate outlook for spring is mainly
influenced by the Indian Ocean, together
with other factors including long-term
trends. Ocean temperatures in the tropical
Pacific remain close to average, with no El
Niño or La Niña expected to develop in the
coming months. A positive Indian Ocean
Dipole during spring typically increases
the chance of below average rainfall for
southern and central Australia and has been
linked to elevated summer fire danger. Other
influences include Tasman Sea pressure
patterns, which are favouring a reduction in
onshore flow for parts of the east coast of
Australia, and are likely contributing to the
warmer and drier conditions forecast across
NSW and southern Queensland.
The outlook for spring rainfall (Figure 4,
page 3) shows a drier than average spring
is likely for much of mainland Australia,
especially for inland parts of southern
Australia, and for large areas of northern
Australia. Large areas of northern Australia
are also likely to see a late northern rainfall
onset, which may extend the fire season in
the north. The likelihood of drier conditions
is stronger in October compared with
September. September is likely to be drier
across northern Australia and small scattered
areas of southern Australia, while October is
likely to be drier across most of the mainland.
Historical outlook accuracy for spring is
moderate to high for most of the country,
but low along the Northern Territory/Western
Australia border, and the west coast of
Western Australia.
The outlook for spring maximum
temperatures favours above average daytime
temperatures for nearly all of Australia.
Probabilities are particularly high across
much of northern Australia, where they
widely exceed 80 per cent. Probabilities in
the south are typically in the range of 50
to 80 per cent (Figure 5, page 3), implying
that above average daytime temperatures
Figure 2: RAINFALL DECILES FOR JANUARY TO JULY 2019 SHOWING DRY CONDITIONS OVER MUCH OF AUSTRALIA.
Figure 3: MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE DECILES FOR JANUARY TO JULY 2019 SHOWING WARM CONDITIONS ACROSS AUSTRALIA.
DEFINITIONSBushfire potential: The chance of a fire
or number of fires occurring of such
size, complexity or other impact (such
as biodiversity or global emissions)
that requires resources (from both
a pre-emptive management and
suppression capability) beyond the
area in which it or they originate. Fire
potential depends on many factors
including weather and climate, fuel
abundance and availability, recent
fire history and firefighting resources
available in an area.
Decile: A decile is a statistical
technique that ranks observations
into 10 equal groups. A decile map
will show whether the rainfall or
temperature is above average, average
or below average.
2
the lowest one per cent on record for areas
around Rockhampton and south to the
New South Wales border. The rainfall and
temperature outlooks make it very likely
that this current soil moisture deficit will
persist for the coming months, significantly
increasing the available fuel in forested areas
in south eastern Queensland.
Inland Queensland has been drought
effected since 2013, and as a result there has
been very little grass fuel available. However,
the rainfall received this year will very likely
see a return to average fuel loads in inland
parts.
Since 1990, there has been a trend for
Queensland fire seasons to start earlier
and persist longer. This was the case last
fire season, which saw record forest fire
danger indices in August 2018 and February
and March 2019. August 2019 has seen this
trend continue, with Severe Fire Danger and
successive days of Very High Fire Danger.
Above normal fire potential is expected
in forested areas along the coast south of
Rockhampton down to the NSW border, for
woodland and grass fuels, inland areas in
the south, and a small area west of Mackay.
Although this was previously identified in
the Northern Australia Seasonal Bushfire
Outlook 2019 (Hazard Note 62, June 2019),
the hot and dry conditions experienced
since June have dried the landscape even
further. The Darling Downs and Granite Belt
districts are facing severe water shortages
as a result of the ongoing drought. This
has the potential to impact the availability
of water for fire suppression. QFES has
been working closely with relevant local
councils and their partners to manage this
risk. Normal fire potential is expected for all
other parts of Queensland.
NEW SOUTH WALESWeather conditions have been exceptionally
dry across NSW leading into the 2019/20 fire
season. Much of central and northern NSW
has experienced very much below average
rainfall during the last three months, with a
small percentage of areas experiencing driest
on record conditions.
Long-term rainfall deficiencies, record-
low for some areas in the north of the state,
have severely impacted on water resources.
With limited water availability, fire agencies
in NSW are having to plan for firefighting
tactics that minimise the use of water.
At the beginning of August, the NSW
Department of Primary Industries mapped
nearly all of NSW into one of three drought
categories, with approximately 55 per
cent of the state drought affected, 23 per
cent experiencing drought, and 17 per cent
experiencing intense drought.
Widespread significant soil moisture
deficit has resulted in an early start to the fire
danger period for many local government
areas in NSW. Windy conditions in August
have again resulted in many significant
bushfires in forested areas north of the
Hunter Valley.
With the short to medium-range climate
outlooks favouring warmer and drier than
average conditions across much of the state,
there is significant concern for the potential of
an above normal fire season in forested areas
on and east of the Great Dividing Range.
Reports of grassland fuel conditions west
of the Divide indicate that whilst grassy
vegetation is cured, it is below average in
quantity or load. With the chances of above
median rainfall west of the Divide below 50
per cent to well below 50 per cent in the next
three months, the balance of this situation
Figure 4: CHANCE OF EXCEEDING THE MEDIAN RAINFALL FOR SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER 2019.
Figure 5: CHANCE OF EXCEEDING THE MEDIAN MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE FOR SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER 2019.
has resulted in an assessment of normal
fire potential for these areas. It should be
noted that while grass load is reduced and
therefore the potential intensity of grass fires
may be reduced, highly cured grass creates
the potential for grass fire to spread rapidly.
ACTThe ACT has received less than average
rainfall over the last two years, leading to
a persistent and high level of drought. The
lowland forests are dry, while highland
forests are relatively moist. This indicates
that fuel flammability in the lowland forests
could remain high, creating risks early in
the fire season. The dry conditions and
grazing by farm stock and wildlife have led
to lower levels of grass growth, resulting in
reduced grass fire risk. The outlook indicates
a potential for the highland forests to dry
out, however this could be delayed by the
occurrence of summer rain. Heatwaves and
dust storms may make bushfire detection
and suppression more challenging at times
during the season.
The overall bushfire risk for the ACT is
above normal. Community members should
continue to prepare for the fire season by
taking actions to reduce the bushfire risks
around and within their property, and to
review their bushfire survival plans.
VICTORIAPotential for above normal bushfire
activity continues across the coastal
and foothill forests of East Gippsland,
extending into West Gippsland and the
Great Dividing Range. These areas are now
experiencing their third consecutive year of
significant rainfall deficit, with severe levels
of underlying dryness persisting in soils
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© Commonwealth of Australia 2019, Australian Bureau of Meteorology
www.bom.gov.au/climate
Chance of exceeding the median rainfall
September to November 2019
Model run: 10/08/2019 Model: ACCESS-S1
Issued: 15/08/2019 Base period: 1990 2012
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© Commonwealth of Australia 2019, Australian Bureau of Meteorology
www.bom.gov.au/climate
Chance of exceeding the median maximum temperature
September to November 2019
Model run: 10/08/2019 Model: ACCESS-S1
Issued: 15/08/2019 Base period: 1990 2012
3
The Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC is a national research centre funded by the Australian Government Cooperative Research Centre Program. It was formed in 2013 for an eight-year program to undertake end-user focused research for Australia and New Zealand.
Hazard Notes are prepared from
available research at the time of
publication to encourage discussion and
debate. The contents of Hazard Notes
do not necessarily represent the views,
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who are stakeholders of the Bushfire
and Natural Hazards CRC.
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and heavy forest fuels, along with higher
abundance of dead fuel components and
higher flammability of live vegetation.
Across the rest of Victoria, mostly normal
bushfire activity is expected, however there is
likely to be increased growth rates in pasture
and croplands in the west due to winter rain.
There is uncertainty around the effect of the
Indian Ocean Dipole and warm/dry outlook,
with some risk that ash forests in the central
highlands and Otways may dry out at faster
rates and become more flammable than
normal during summer.
TASMANIAFor the early part of Tasmania’s fire season,
most of the state has normal fire potential.
The western half of the state is wet, but the
east is drier than normal, especially between
the Forestier Peninsula and Scamander.
This eastern dry area has above normal
fire potential. Without significant rain in
the coming months, this area will expand.
As in recent years, increased fire activity is
likely in this dry strip before December and
will require considerable response efforts.
Eastern peat soils will be susceptible to fire
and will burn to depth, with traditionally wet
or damp gullies already dry.
The fire season in the remainder of the
state will commence more normally, in late
spring or early summer, and provide good
conditions for planned burning.
SOUTH AUSTRALIAAverage to below average rainfall has
occurred across South Australia, with some
areas experiencing persistent dry conditions
since the start of 2018. In areas of ongoing
dry conditions, grass fuel growth is either
average, to well below average, which creates
the likelihood of normal fire potential in
these areas. This level of fire potential also
continues in central and southern parts of
South Australia, where average rainfall has
occurred.
The Bureau of Meteorology‘s El Niño
watch is currently neutral and the Indian
Ocean Dipole is forecast to be positive.
Similar forecasts have resulted in drier and
warmer than average conditions in the lead
up to, and throughout, South Australia’s fire
season. The dry spring forecast may result in
an earlier start to the fire season in parts of
South Australia.
The Mount Lofty Ranges have recorded
almost average rainfall, which has reset
the Soil Dryness Index to zero. However,
late winter rainfall may promote increased
vegetation growth before summer, and
could increase the available bushfire fuels
during the fire season. Forecast conditions
maintain the potential for bushfire across the
populated areas of the Mount Lofty Ranges.
Parts of the Lower Eyre Peninsula have
received good rainfall, resulting in a bumper
cropping season and higher than normal
grass fuel growth. Due to the increased fuel
load, these areas have above normal fire
potential. Kangaroo Island also has above
normal fire potential, with a combination of
drier than average, and wetter than average
conditions (depending on the vegetation
type) across the island. These conditions may
result in above average fuel loads in parts,
and drier than average vegetation in others,
especially in areas of forested and scrub
vegetation.
The prolonged dry conditions across much
of South Australia is also likely to create
increased occurrences of raised dust during
the windy conditions that often accompany
high fire risk days. The dust may affect the
operational capabilities of aerial firefighting
assets and limit their effectiveness. Fire
managers will carefully monitor this issue
during the fire season, noting that without
rainfall, dust suppression is impossible on the
scale required.
There are currently no forecasts indicating
any potential for above average rainfall
during spring and summer, which may
prolong the fire season across parts of
South Australia. Significant bushfires have
occurred in similar conditions, and even
areas of normal fire potential can expect
to experience dangerous bushfires as per a
normal South Australian fire season.
WESTERN AUSTRALIARainfall deficiencies have persisted across
most of the south west of Western Australia,
with this area experiencing its driest start
to the year, followed by the seventh-driest
autumn on record. In addition, drier and
warmer than average conditions are forecast
through to October, which will increase
soil moisture deficits and stress in woody
vegetation. These conditions have resulted
in above normal fire potential for parts of the
Swan Coastal Plain, Avon Wheatbelt, Jarrah
Forest, Warren, Esperance Plains and Mallee
regions. In parts of the Nullarbor, higher than
normal fuel loads will contribute to above
normal potential.
Above normal fire potential is also
expected for coastal areas of the Pilbara
which experienced heavy rainfall in
association with Severe Tropical Cyclone
Veronica in March 2019. This rainfall
promoted good growth of soft grass and
spinifex, as well as delaying curing compared
to the rest of the region. As conditions dry
out, greater continuity and loading of grassy
fuels will increase the fire potential in parts of
the Pilbara affected by Veronica.
NORTHERN TERRITORYThe late and weak monsoon activity for the
2018/19 wet season has led to dry conditions,
with the Top End experiencing the driest
wet season since 1992. Similarly, large areas
of central Australia have received below
average rainfall over the last 12 months.
This has led to reduced growth of
vegetation, but despite this, the Northern
Territory is expecting normal bushfire
potential to continue for the remainder of
the fire season, due to a shift in the timing
of fire management activities. In the Top
End, both mitigation activities and bushfires
occurred two months earlier than normal,
with large, long duration, early season
fires that would normally be pulled up by
temporary watercourses taking place. With
a late onset to the 2019/20 wet season
expected, dry conditions are likely to be
extended.
4 www.bnhcrc.com.au
P a g e | 1
PRIMARY REPORT Shire of Cranbrook Bushfire Brigades
Email to: [email protected] Fax: 9826 1090
Season 2019-2020
Fire Name: Primary Brigade: Choose an item. Incident No
Please add additional attending brigades
Support Brigade: Choose an item. Support Brigade: Support Brigade: Choose an item Support Brigade: Support Brigade: Support Brigade: Support Brigade: Support Brigade: Support Brigade: Support Brigade: Support Brigade: Support Brigade: Choose an item.
Incident Controller: Area Burnt:
Fire Type: How Did Fire Start:
Other Type Of Fire: Other Cause:
Property Owners Name:
Property Address:
ATTACHMENT 6
P a g e | 2
Primary Crew Members
Date: Select Date Date: Select Date Date:
Shift: Shift: Shift: Unit: Choose an item. Unit: Choose an item. Unit: Choose an item. Start: Start: Start: Finish: Finish: Finish:
Crew Name(1st Name Leader) Crew Name(1st Name Leader) Crew Name(1st Name Leader)
LOSSES
Area Burnt : Private (ha) Public(ha) Estimate Total $ value:
Comments/Damage:
Reporting Officer: Rank: Contact Number: Date:
Description and amount of Losses(e.g. fencing, buildings, livestock, machinery, crops, plantations, pasture
P a g e | 1
SUPPORT REPORT Shire of Cranbrook Bushfire Brigades
Email to: [email protected] Fax: 9826 1090
Season 2019-2020
Fire Name: Incident Number: Support Brigade: Primary Brigade:
Date: Select Date. Date: Select Date. Date: Select Date. Shift: Shift: Shift: Unit: Choose an item. Unit: Choose an item. Unit: Choose an item. Start: Start: Start: Finish: Finish: Finish:
Crew Names(1st Name Leader) Crew Names(1st Name Leader) Crew Names(1st Name Leader)
Date: Date: Select Date. Date: Select Date. Shift: Shift: Shift: Unit: Choose an item. Unit: Choose an item. Unit: Choose an item. Start: Start: Start: Finish: Finish: Finish:
Crew Names(1st Name Leader) Crew Names(1st Name Leader) Crew Names(1st Name Leader)
Comments/ Vehicle Damage Details:
Reporting Officer: Rank: Contact Number: Date: Select Date.
ATTACHMENT 6a