To the residents of the Macdonald Valley

The executive members of our brigade would like to say a huge thank you to all of our active and support members for the time they have given in helping with the recent bush fires. This started with the Webbs Creek fire and continued with our involvement in the State Mine fire
at Bilpin before another huge effort to contain the Howes Swamp fire in our own backyard at Melon Creek. Four and a half weeks in total. All in all a great effort and a job well done!

I would also like to extend a very special thank you to the community of St Albans for the way you rallied around to support the members in the field with food and cakes and your encouragement and appreciation. Pulling together like this is what makes our community so
special.
 
Once again, thank you all
  
Don McKillop
Captain, St Albans Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade

The Howes Valley Fire is now in the remote inaccessible area of the Bala Range.  It is still moving in all directions slowly.  This means that our crews can have a well earned rest while the RAFT (Remote Area Fire Teams) are dropped in to look after it.  Management in at Wilberforce are hard at work trying to work out
where the next set of containment lines should be put in.
 
All this is dependant on the weather and what the wind activity does to the fire line.  If the fire threatens homes or assets it will be all hands on deck again.
 
Thank you again to everyone who helped in some way.  Nearly everyone in the community became involved in some way be it active fire fighters, those supporting the active fire fighters, those who made the wonderful cakes, scones, meals etc etc. Those who made some sort of donation.  All your efforts were
appreciated very very much.
 
We live in a wonderful community and it was heart warming to receive so many emails expressing support for those giving up their time to work on the fires all to keep our community safe.


A big thank you to those who had not been so active in our brigade due to other commitments but answered the call to come in and help when everyone was getting pretty tired.  Look out guys I intend putting you back on our roster.
 
If any of you would like to join the brigade and help out, please drop in and get an application form.  What you learn on the course will assist you in preparing your own property for fire season.
 
Remember we volunteer to protect our community and to keep it safe

Thank you

Don & Sherri

Hi All,

Firstly, a big thank you to those of you who have been bringing food to the shed.  The response has been overwhelming and is very much appreciated.  

As you may know or have seen Sarah Brookes from NPWS has been manning the shed and communications room over the past week and done a wonderful job at keeping things happening and getting us (RFS and NPWS) supplies as needed. 

NPWS have a contingent of workers both out in the field and doing local logistics. They have come from all over the state.

We have had RFS crews from everywhere in the Hawkesbury helping us with our round the clock shifts.  

The food you locals have been supplying has been shared with everyone and is so greatly appreciated as the supplied sandwiches and snack packs only go so far.

There has been a little bit of smoke around over the past week so I suppose we better tell you what is happening...

Howes Swamp Fire has now burnt out around 20,000 hectares. During the gusty winds on Sunday the Howes Swamp fire spotted over the bulldozer track that was put in Wallaby Creek Sector (North and West). The Sky Crane was unable to prevent it spreading.  It was a little too windy.  

At the same time a new fire started at Lower Portland (Laws Fire) on Laws Farm Rd which is north of Lower Portland and was threatening homes, so lots of resources were sent there.  One Lower Portland crew was working with us and could only listen to what was happening there.  This fire has still not been contained but everyone is doing their best to contain it.

Yesterday in the winds the Howes Swamp fire spotted again but this time across the MacDonald River in several places. This was on the northern and eastern side of the fire.  For those who know the area it was up near Floyds shack (About 30 Kms up river from Graeme Blackwood's in very remote country). The fire is not currently posing any threat to residents as it is in the NP near the Bula Ranges

The predicted weather for the next couple of days is for milder conditions. However, Thursday could cause some problems as there is another windy hot front moving in which could move the fire east towards or above the common. 

In short please keep yourselves aware of the fire movement and keep checking the RFS and the St Albans Volunteer RFS websites.  Should  you see embers falling watch that they do not start spot fires.  If they do phone 000 and if possible put the spot fires out.  Hopefully the fire will remain in isolated areas and not near any of our homes.

Cheers

Sherri and Don

 Situation

The Howes Swamp Fire which started approximately 8km north of Colo Heights is burning on both sides of the Putty Road and has burnt 21,362ha.

The fire broke containment lines to the north east in the vicinity of Wallaby Swamp this afternoon. These spot fires are not posing any threat to properties at this stage.

Aircraft will winch remote area fire crews into the area at the first opportunity on Monday morning. With support from the Air Crane these crews will work to contain and mop up the spot fires.

Residents in the Upper and Higher Mcdonald area as well as St. Albans are reminded to remain vigilant.

Advice
• Monitor conditions in your area as the situation can change. 
• Follow your Bush Fire Survival Plan. If you do not have a Bush Fire Survival Plan, ensure you know what you will do if fire impacts your area. 
• Should you choose to stay with your property and defend it, you need to ensure that you and your property are well prepared.
• Be aware that if conditions deteriorate, some areas may become isolated and may lose power. You may not be able to leave for a number of days. 
• The safest option is to be well away from the fire.
 
Information
• If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
• Continue to stay up to date with the bush fire situation by checking www.rfs.nsw.gov.au, listening to your local radio station or by calling the NSW RFS Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737.
•  Motorists and travellers are advised to check www.livetraffic.com or www.131500.com.au before travelling.

Authorised by Incident Controller Superintendant Karen Hodges on
behalf of the


Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service.

Hi All,
Just a quick up date.
We have now put a secure back burn line in from the head of Melon Creek all the way back down to Upper MacDonald River.  (Look it up on a map.)  This fire is now moving back slowly towards the main fire coming from Howes Swamp.
 
Hopefully this will make the fire coming from Howes Swamp safe given the predicted weather for later today and then tomorrow with high temperatures and winds forecast.  Fingers crossed.
 
For those who are asking how they can help.  Food, cakes, drinks etc are always welcome at the shed, as we are doing 12 hours shifts (14 hours in reality).
Cheers
Sherri and Don

Situation
The Howes Swamp Fire which started approximately 8km north of Colo Heights is burning on both sides of the Putty Road and has burnt 18,000ha.

 Ground crews, supported by Remote Area Fire-fighters and aircraft have been undertaking backburning to the west of the McDonald River in order to contain the fire. An increase in smoke has been visible due to these activities. Properties in the Upper and Higher McDonald area as well as St Albans may experience smoke and potentially some embers over the weekend due topredicted north-west winds.

 Advice
• Monitor conditions in your area as the situation can change. 
• Follow your Bush Fire Survival Plan. If you do not have a Bush Fire Survival Plan, ensure you know what you will do if fire impacts your area. 
•  Should you choose to stay with your property and defend it, you need to ensure that you and your property are well prepared. 
• Be aware that if conditions deteriorate, some areas may become isolated and may lose power. You may not be able to leave for a number of days. 
• The safest option is to be well away from the fire.
 
Information
 • If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
 •  Continue to stay up to date with the bush fire situation by checking www.rfs.nsw.gov.au, listening to your local radio station or by calling the NSW RFS Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737.
 •  The Putty Road remains closed to all but local traffic at Colo Heights and Milbrodale.
 •  Local traffic is not to access the Putty Road where there are fire fighting operations.
 •  Motorists and travellers are advised to check www.livetraffic.com or www.131500.com.au before travelling.


Authorised by Incident Controller Superintendant Karen Hodges on behalf of theCommissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service.