Scorching Sunday: A ferocious grass fire that erupted on Bullecourt Rd in Corowa posed a formidable challenge for firefighters, requiring a swift and coordinated response from cross-border units. Fanned by scorching temperatures that reached 37 degrees, the blaze consumed around 70 hectares of land, posing a significant threat to the Whitehead St Wetlands and nearby properties. Photo by Jesse Payne.
Firefighters from Fire and Rescue NSW Station 268 Corowa, along with units from the Country Fire Authority (CFA) and NSW Rural Fire Services (RFS), successfully contained a fierce grass fire that erupted on Bullecourt Rd, Corowa, on Sunday.
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Police are treating the blaze as suspicious, as officers also investigate a collision between a fire truck and earthmoving vehicle at the scene.
Captain Chris Youings of Fire and Rescue NSW Station 268 commended the collaborative efforts after a call for assistance came in at 1.25pm on Sunday afternoon.
Flames from the Whitehead St Wetlands entrance, along Honour Ave.
“It was a huge effort—everyone did exceptionally well,” Captain Youings said.
“No matter what service they were representing, everyone chipped in and helped each other for the greater good, and to protect the community.
“It came pretty close to houses and the town- we were very lucky; it could have ended in a very different scenario.”
The fire, which burned through approximately 70 hectares, was exacerbated by scorching temperatures, reaching 37 degrees, marking the hottest day of 2024 so far.
The blaze encroached upon the Whitehead St Wetlands area and posed a threat to several properties. Six individuals were evacuated as a precautionary measure, but fortunately, no damages were reported.
Rutherglen Brigade, Carlyle, and Wahgunyah CFA were originally dispatched to investigate a smoke sighting in the Carlyle area, discovering the source as the grass fire in Corowa. They promptly responded to a request for aid from NSW, forming a strike team with five tankers and a field command vehicle (FCV), working closely with NSW counterparts.
A second FCV was dispatched to liaise with NSW command. The collaborative cross-border effort, including support from the Barnawatha Brigade, played a crucial role in bringing the fire under control.
Despite the successful containment of the fire just after 4 pm, there were casualties, with a fire truck and grader colliding at the scene, injuring a 28-year-old firefighter.
The Bullecourt Rd fire burned quickly through neighbouring paddocks, amid scorching temperatures on Sunday, coming dangerously close to a number of homes.
He was taken to Corowa hospital in a stable condition. The grader driver, 50, was uninjured. He was taken back to Corowa police station and questioned and was later released.
During the incident, a fire truck responding to the fire and a construction vehicle collided.
According to an RFS spokesperson, a total four RFS firefighters were hospitalised, with one remaining under care for more serious injuries.
The RFS firefighter remains hospitalised, receiving ongoing care and support from the RFS, friends, and family.
Firefighters remained on the scene until Monday afternoon, conducting blackouts and assessing numerous fire-damaged trees deemed hazardous.
Captain Youings stressed the importance of residents having an emergency fire plan in place.
“The key message coming out of this incident is to make sure residents have an emergency fire plan in place because, as we saw on Sunday, things can change very quickly,” he said.
Detectives attached to Murray River Police District are investigating the cause of the fire and are treating it as suspicious.
As inquiries continue, anyone with information about this incident, or dashcam or CCTV from the area is urged to contact Murray River Police District or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
