NSW Rural Fire Service volunteers bring Coba Point bushfire under control
VOLUNTEER firefighters have worked over the weekend to contain a blaze that was threatening dozens of properties at Coba Point.
Hornsby
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VOLUNTEER firefighters have worked over the weekend to contain a blaze that was threatening dozens of properties at Coba Point.
The 9ha bushfire, which is believed to have started through the misuse of fire, became out of control on Saturday — leading to six fire boats and 60 NSW Rural Fire Service volunteers working to contain the blaze.
Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Inspector Rolf Poole said the crews, who were supported by water police and marine rescue, would continue to monitor and fight the fire for the next few days.
“Fire investigators are yet to determine the actual cause of the fire, but this brings the significance of the dangers of using fire to the front of everyone’s minds,” he said.
“We did not record any evacuations from Coba Point, most people worked with volunteers to protect their properties.”
Mr Poole said the incident, which was on an isolated stretch of the Berowra Creek, meant specialist boats and volunteers were brought in to tackle the fire.
“There is a bit of a time lag in getting frontline firefighters to the fire ground,” he said.
“Because we use boats from Berowra Waters, Mooney Mooney Dangar Island and Brooklyn.
“But these personnel are all trained to fight fires in remote terrain.”
This week’s fire comes as the NSW RFS announce the official start to the bushfire season has been brought forward a month to September 1.
Insp Poole said the early start to the bushfire season was a result of the drought elevating the fire risk.
“This action to bring forward the official bush fire danger period is being taken to better manage the fires being lit in the open, for legitimate reasons, and to mitigate potential fire escapes,” he said.
“Significant penalties apply to those who light fires in the open without a permit, without providing the mandatory notice or for allowing a fire to escape your property.”
The bush fire danger [eriod will run until March 21, 2019.
Fire safety permits are required for open burning activities including pile burning and hazard reduction burning activities during this period.