Cranbrook bushfire: Machine operator Tom Warren clears path for access to fires

A local digger driver is putting his talents behind the wheel to the test in an effort to assist volunteer firefighters in containing the growing Cranbrook fires. See his vision from the fire front.

He is the machine operator who has worked alongside volunteer fireys to clear containment lines and get crews to the growing fire front — meet driver Tom Warren.

An emergency fire, suspected to be caused by a lightning strike sparked in Cranbrook on Monday afternoon, spread to 1,376 hectares this week over a 30 km perimeter, which required 15 appliances with between 50 to 60 firefighters with additional catering and support volunteers.

Graeme Morley and Tom Warren standing in front of the dozer.

Confronted with an orange and black sky as flames dance along the bush, the Morley Earthmoving employee was tasked with operating dozers and excavators to push trails and create containment lines to assist firefighters with their vehicle access.

Residents were told it was “too late to leave” and advised to “seek shelter” until further notice.

Morley's Earthmoving's excavator creating a containment line for the fire brigade in Cranbrook. Photo: Tom Warren

Morley's Earthmoving excavator creating a containment line for the fire brigade in Cranbrook. Photo: Tom Warren

“My role is to push the containment line – to put a ring around the fire and push a big containment line to make sure the fireys can do their job,” Mr Warren said.

“We also had fire crews from out of Dubbo which was a good team effort.

“Everyone performed in their roles to perfection to get the job done safely.”

“It was very fast moving,” he said the “dramatic” winds changed the direction of the fire which caused it to be “very intense”.

Morley's Earthmoving excavator creating a containment line for the fire brigade in Cranbrook. Photo: Tom Warren

“While some of the local fire brigades were helping their wives and kids were in the car and ready to go,” he said.

Mr Warren believes no livestock was lost and assures everyone who contributed is safe.

“This is my fifth fire in two months,” Mr Warren said.

“Once you’re in there you just go and make track for everyone else.

“I’m the frontline, getting into the fire metres away from the edge of it and pushing it in.

“You lose track of time – the adrenaline kicks in.

The fire brigade putting out the Cranbrook fires. Photo: Tom Warren

On Wednesday afternoon fire crews performed a 200 hectare backburn of the impacted area to which Mr Warren said it was a “strategic” and “well planned exercise”.

He advised residents to be “vigilant” and not to go for a “joy ride or have a look” at emergencies when services are responding to the situation.

“There were times when people were driving past and wanting to have a look and it was interrupting fire services from attending a minute or two sooner,” he said.