Bushfires: Deadly Green Wattle Creek fire finally contained after two months

A fire that killed two NSW RFS volunteers has finally been contained after burning out-of-control for two months.

An RFS volunteer protecting property along the Old Hume Highway as the Green Wattle Creek Fire threatens the community of Tahmoor. Picture: AAP/Dean Lewins.

The Green Wattle Creek Fire, which has been burning out-of-control for two months, destroying homes and claiming the lives of NSW Rural Fire Service volunteers, has finally been contained.

The fire started on November 27 last year in the Wollondilly area in Sydney’s southwest.

Fuelled by hot and dry conditions, the fire quickly burned through more than 278,000 hectares, ripping through quiet rural hamlets including Balmoral and Bargo, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

The Green Wattle Creek Fire, which has burnt through over 278,700ha in the Wollondilly area, is now Contained!

This fire started on the 27th Nov 2019, and has had tragic devastating impacts, but it is a huge achievement by so many to reach containment tonight.#NSWRFS #NSWFires pic.twitter.com/QuUASowC3P

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 29, 2020

Most tragically, NSW RFS volunteers and young dads Geoffrey Keaton, 32, and Andrew O’Dwyer, 36, died battling the blaze on December 19, when a giant, burnt-out “widow-maker” gum tree fell and crushed the cab of their fire truck.

Deputy Captain Geoffrey Keaton & Firefighter Andrew O’Dwyer were both killed fighting the Green Wattle Creek Fire last year. Picture supplied.

A NSW RFS spokeswoman said the containment was “a big win for us”.

“Fighting this fire has been a massive effort, not just from local crews but crews that have come in from across the state.”

“It’s been rolling, continuous shifts since it started – crews were out there literally bringing in the New Year.”

Concerted efforts to contain the Green Wattle Creek fire were helped by the rain in NSW over the past few weeks, which moderated fire conditions and allowed for backburning to be conducted.

The RFS paid tribute to its many volunteers for containing the enormous blaze.

“We have had crew out in some really hazardous terrain and dangerous conditions hand digging containment lines,” said the spokeswoman.

“They’ve been in front of the fire digging through the shrub down to the soil and removing fuel loads.”

A NSW Rural Fire Service crew member from truck Balmoral 1 working to extinguish the Green Wattle Fire last December. Picture: Rohan Kelly

The newly established containment lines means communities living under the spectre of the terrifying blaze can now breathe a little easier.

The NSW RFS can also now afford a brief moment of reflection.

“We’ve seen the tragic loss of two of our firefighters in the midst of this fire and that’s had a massive impact on our people.

“But in some ways, it’s brought us closer together.”