‘Devastating’: Tragic details as firefighter, 59, killed as bushfires rip through NSW and southeast Queensland
New details have emerged after an experienced firefighter died when he was crushed by a fallen tree in a bushfire zone.
A veteran firefighter was helping his team prepare for a tactical backburn when he was struck by a tree and died on the NSW Central Coast.
The 59-year-old, who was a firefighter for the national parks, suffered a heart attack when he was crushed by a tree while trying to clear an area on a property at Nerong at about 10.45pm on Sunday.
The property was within the Buladelah fire zone.
Emergency services rushed to the scene but the man died.
Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said the man was a veteran field officer and experienced firefighter, who began his career with the national parks in 1996 and the depot 25 years ago.
The man was a veteran field officer and experienced firefighter, who began his career with the national parks in 1996 and the depot 25 years ago.
“My thoughts are with his family, but my thoughts are also with the National Parks and Wildlife Service,” Ms Sharpe said.
“This is a very close and well-networked group, with someone who has been in the service for that long, there are many people who are touched today.”
NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Trent Curtin said the man’s death would be felt among the community and other firefighters.
“NSW Rural Fire Service firefighters work hand-in-hand with parks firefighters on a day-to-day basis, year after year,” he told reporters.
“Overnight, firefighters were attempting to start a backburn in order to protect (the) community.
“As this firefighter was moving around the fire ground, checking in on colleagues to make sure everyone was safe, making sure everyone had the right information on the fire ground, a tree fell on (him) and (he) tragically lost his life due to those injuries.”
Mr Curtin said the firefighter’s actions helped reduce the threat of further devastation.
“His efforts on the fire ground to make sure our five orders was set and informed about all the things that needed to happen on the ground are testament to the work he performed.”
Anthony Albanese said in a statement on Monday morning that the firefighter’s death was a tragedy.
“My heart goes out to the loved ones and colleagues of the firefighter who has tragically lost their life in the Bulahdelah bushfire,” the Prime Minister said.
“All Australians are thinking of you in your time of grief.”
Mr Albanese said his death was a reminder of the sacrifice firefighters make to protect the country.
“This terrible news is a sombre reminder of the dangers that our emergency services personnel face to keep our homes and communities safe – and the extraordinary courage that their job demands,” he said.
“We honour that bravery, every day.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns said he was heartbroken by the news.
“It’s devastating and it’s a reminder of what firefighters have to do to keep the public safe,” he said.
“This is many ways a dangerous profession, and we’re deeply indebted to the men and women that devote their time to keeping us safe. This is terrible news today.”
Ms Sharpe said the firefighter’s death was “absolutely devastating”.
“My thoughts are with the firefighter’s family at this tragic time, as well as his colleagues from National Parks and the Rural Fire Service,” she said.
“This loss is felt profoundly across the National Parks organisation and the broader community.”
As of Monday afternoon, 49 bushfires arestill burning across the state, nine of which remain uncontained.
Mr Curtin said the strong winds were contributing to the devastating blazes.
“We had those few days of very high and extreme fire danger moving through the weekend,” he told the ABC.
“Those breezes create challenging conditions particularly when the wind changes direction and moose fires in other directions.”
He warned residents to stay vigilant as the bushfire risk increases across The Central Coast.
“We were pleased on the weekend that the community had the warnings and evacuated quickly and that is why we did not see any loss of life (this weekend),” he said.
“Properties can be replaced, but we just cannot replace lives, so we are really grateful that everyone he did the warnings and got out of the way and make sure they were safe during the fire.”
The fires have torn through more than 129ha across the Koolewong, Phegans Bay and Woy Woy Bay areas, with residents told to stay alert while crews battle the blaze.
The Bulahdelah fire is currently moving south of Booral Rd and on both sides of the Pacific Highway.
As of 7.30am Monday, the fires had torn through 3431ha and were being controlled by firefighters.
Firefighters have held the fire south of Booral Road in the Crawford River area and northwest of Nerong.
A NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service spokesman confirmed an investigation was under way.
“Our thought are with the firefighter’s family during this difficult time,” they said.
Urgent warning amid Queensland fire
Bushfires are also impacting parts of southeast Queensland, with residents off the coat of Brisbane are told to stay alert.
An urgent warning has been issued for residents in North Stradbroke Island in Queensland, which is currently moving towards Alfred Martin Way.
Residents have been told to stay informed as the fire tracks between Dickson Way, Sewage Line Track, Alfred Martin Way and the Dunwich Airport.
Horror scenes from destructive bushfires
Photos from Koolewong, the worst-affected area, on Sunday showed caved-in homes and burned out cars, as smoke continued to fill the streets.
The fires, between Gosford and Woy Woy, have been downgraded after they razed over 120 hectares and destroyed at least 16 homes.
While nearly 20 homes were destroyed by fires and more were damaged in the flames, firefighters have been able to save 118 homes.
“You’ve managed to save as many homes and lives as possible,” one local wrote online.
Threat moves to the Hunter Region
While the Koolewong fire is downgraded, a separate incident has flared up south of Newcastle.
“A southerly change has moved across the fire ground and fire activity has increased,” an alert from the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) said.
The fire had ripped through more than 48 hectares by 12pm on Sunday and remained out-of-control.
The Rural Fire Services said about 150 crew are fighting the blaze with the assistance of three waterbombing aircraft.
Authorities warn locals in the Dudley, Whitebridge and Gateshead to monitor conditions and watch for alerts.
The RFS is also warning of a separate fire in the Milsons Gully region which is burning through the Goulburn River National Park.
The fire has moved in a southerly direction towards Blyong Valley Way, threatening homes in the Baerami, Baerami Creek, Widden, Yarrawa and Kerrabee regions.
Bylong Valley Way remains open for local residents, but has been closed for the general public.
“Firefighters will be working through the day to slow the spread of the fire and strengthen containment lines,” the RFS said.
So far the fire was ripped through over 11,000 hectares.
No respite for 1500 crew members
Rural Fire Service Superintendent Ben Shepherd says more than 1500 crew are currently fighting the ongoing blazes and won’t have any reprieve until mid next week. “It’s important to note some of our firefighters have been battling some of these fires for weeks, especially in the Western Divide we’ve seen some quite devastating fires in croplands … resulting in millions of dollars lost,” he said.
“It has been a busy period but there is a bit of reprieve probably by Wednesday and the back end of this week when there is a chance of shower activity, so I think it will be a well earned rest for many of our fire fighters.”
Mr Shepherd thanked locals for preparing their homes in the event of a fire, noting so far there had not been any reports of serious injuries or death.
He said the extent of fire damage is likely to become clearer over the afternoon.
”We have building impact assessment teams with both fire and rescue and rural fire services moving across the fire ground,” he said.
“As you can understand, in the heat of the moment where firefighters might believe it to be a home, those structures end up being sheds.
“So it is quite a meticulous process that they will go through and assess the actual state of the structure, so we will have a better indication this afternoon.”
Growing number of homes lost
The devastation from The Central Coast bushfires has dramatically worsened, with 18 homes now confirmed destroyed during the blaze.
That’s up from 12 homes reported lost on Saturday.
Officials warn the figure could climb even higher as firefighters continue battling dangerous conditions.
Central Coast Council mayor Lawrie McKinna confirmed the escalating property damage on Sunday morning.
“Yes, actually, 18 houses now have been lost, which is shocking, but more assessment and damage has been done with RFS,” he told Sunrise.
The mayor also spoke about the issues facing the community as the blaze continues to rage on Sunday.
Firefighters face newdangers as thunderstorms and strong southerly winds risk pushing blazes into fresh areas as 20 fires still remain uncontained across NSW.
In its latest update the NSW Royal Fire Service confirmed fires were still a “developing situation”.
RFS Deputy Commissioner Ben Millington ABC Breakfast there were 76 fires burning, with 20 considered out of control.
He said the key danger for Sunday was winds that would push the fires into a different direction.
“There’s a potential for the fire to travel to the north, and we’ve crews in place to protect homes should that occur,” he said.
“That wind is now from the south; it could potentially move the fire to the north which has its own issues.”
Fire crews are prioritising active blazes before authorities can assess the full scale of destruction.
Mr Millington said while conditions had eased from Saturday’s inferno, wind and thunderstorm threats remained.
“We’ve got more moderate conditions today,” he said.
“A lot less heat, we do have strong winds and the chance of thunderstorms. Firefighters are continuing to work right across the state on all of these fires, not just in The Central Coast, but also in the upper Hunter … we’ve got a fire burning up there, quite a large fire, about 11,000 hectares.”
On Saturday the ferocious bushfire destroyed 12 homes on The Central Coast, with an extreme heatwave leading to more than 75 bushfires across the state.
This was contained to 20 throughout the night.
Locals in parts of Koolewong, between Gosford and Woy Woy, were told to leave as an apparent change in wind direction suddenly sent the blaze towards homes on Saturday afternoon.
Reports emerged of panicked locals scrambled to grab pets and valuables before racing to emergency centres or seeking refuge with friends and family.
More than 1500 firefighters and 300 vehicles were deployed statewide as temperatures soared, with Penrith climbing above 41C and extreme fire danger declared across the Hunter, Sydney, Illawarra and Central Coast.
Mr Millington told reporters the terrain around The Central Coast fires hampered firefighting efforts.
“Firefighters did a fantastic job, albeit we did lose some 12 or so homes,” he said.
“They were supported by aircraft, including the RFS Chinook helicopter, the large air tanker, they worked throughout the afternoon and right through the night to protect those homes.”
“We’ve still got a southerly change coming through and that’s where our focus continues to be.”
‘Worst news imaginable’
NSW premier Chris Minns noted the devastating impacts of the bush fires on many in the local communities.
“We know at least 12 homes have been destroyed on The Central Coast but that number is likely to be higher and we are devastated for those families,” he said in an interview with the ABC.
“Obviously that is the worst news imaginable in the run up to Christmas, it is exactly what they didn’t need and is a reminder of how devastating these fires can be.”
Mr Minns spoke of the high winds and devastating heat firefighters dealt with, noting the fire had jumped a large stretch of water to hit the town of Woy Woy.
“Just to put it into perspective, the fire embers jumped a stretch of water over a kilometre long, so this was a fast moving, very dangerous fire in a residential area and we owe a debt of gratitude of the members of the RFS, who put their lives on the line for the state.”
According to the premier, December will be “pretty tough” with more bushfires expected.
“Unfortunately, we are likely to have more volatile weather periods due to the changing climate.
“I would love to be able to say we are out of the woods and the worst is behind us, but the truth is that is not the case.
“It is very important that people have their fire evacuation and preparedness plans in place.
Natural disaster payments available
The state and federal government have declared the bushfires as a natural disaster, allowing for financial support for locals in the regions.
Assistance measures that may be provided to communities include:
•Assistance for eligible residents to help meet immediate needs like emergency accommodation and essential items.
•Grants for low-income, uninsured residents to replace lost essential household items to maintain basic standard of living.
•Grants for low-income, uninsured residents to undertake essential structural repairs to restore their homes to a basic, safe and habitable condition.
•Concessional loans for small businesses and primary producers up to $130,000.
•Freight and transport subsidies for primary producers to help transport livestock and fodder.
•Loans for non-profit organisations up to $25,000.
•Financial support towards counter disaster activity undertaken by emergency service organisations to keep communities safe.
“The Albanese and Minns Governments are working together to get support to communities impacted by these bushfires as quickly as possible,” federal minister for emergency management Kristy McBain said.
