When Fire Strikes Close to Home: Landcare in Action
The core focus of Landcare groups is protecting and managing natural resources, but strengthening community is another of the great benefits.
The group I’m in – New Springs Landcare Group – emerged reinvigorated with new members in the wake of the Cudlee Creek Bushfire, with a big focus on recovery and restoration.
Just a few years after such a massive blaze, you’d hardly think we’d face a substantial fire risk; after all, many of our places were completely wiped out, native habitats razed, and landscapes transformed to moonscapes.
In reality, the risk in 2025 as significant as that fateful period in late 2019; the ghostly sentinels of dead eucalypts stand tall like candles amid dense skirts of fast growing wattles and weeds have thickened, creating tinder-dry fuel loads in this drought year.
So when, on a scorching hot February day, a fire started in the heart of our group’s district, the potential for catastrophe was all too well understood.
Our members were literally in the firing line. Between Warmington Run and Wilhelm Road at Mount Torrens, it was right next to Neil and Jo’s place, and across the road from Kym’s dairy. The north easterly wind put Heather in the smoke front and on ember watch, while Steve and Mel’s place next door was in direct line too. On the other side of the Conservation Park from Heather is Kate’s place.
Across the way, Steve and Jenice, Warren and I, Kym and Iris, Phil and Lisa, and Sam and Caroline were the next properties along Warmington Run. Thankfully we weren’t in the direct windage, but as we all knew from Cudlee Creek, wind can change suddenly.
One spark from an angle grinder in a paddock put almost half of our membership in peril.
Our group sprang into action. Calls were made to ensure everyone was aware of the danger. Support was offered to Heather, including assistance to defend if the flames got close, and a safe place to evacuate if needed. Farm firefighting units were dispatched to assist the 30 CFS units and 7 aircraft on the scene.
Satellite imagery via the excellent bushfire.io app showed temperatures between 70 and 100 degrees on the fire ground. Pretty torrid conditions to be in. It was sheer luck that the winds were reasonably mild, and embers didn’t travel far – and sheer skill on the part of all those at the fire front to stop the blaze in the tracks.
A huge shout out to all the heroes who threw themselves at this – on the ground and in the sky, professionals and volunteers, friends and neighbours – because of their skilled efforts, the fire was contained to 18 hectares. It could have been much worse.
The importance of our connections is never so apparent as during a time of need – phones ran hot, help was offered and given, and welfare was paramount. It is such a relief that everyone is okay, and so heartening that we have each other’s backs.
Karen Ashford
Secretary
New Springs Landcare Group
