Blue Mountains bush fire victims warn we should never be caught off guard again

Story sponsored by BMEE.

On October 18, 2013, Premier Barry O’Farrell declared a state of emergency and ordered the full evacuation of the Blue Mountains. The decision came in the early hours of the morning, following a two day onslaught from a raging bush fire which engulfed the region, turning scrub land into an inferno and reducing dwellings to ash.  

Miraculously no lives were lost in the blaze. But by the time the final flames had been extinguished more than 200 homes had been lost, more than 100 more had been badly burnt, and the damage bill had exceeded $90m.

Five years on, the fire remains one of NSW’s most destructive natural disasters. Blue Mountains residents continue to demonstrate the type of community spirit that helped get them through it. While most have rebuilt, the scars still run deep. Both emotionally and psychologically. They were caught off guard. But, they say, they’re not going to let that happen again.

Next month, Blue Mountains Economic Enterprise (BMEE) will host one of the nation’s largest bush fire readiness conferences, bringing together experts from across the building sector along with firefighters, scientists, climate experts, policy makers and the broader community to create a “hive mind” environment that will hopefully produce better future outcomes. 

BMEE CEO Bernard Fehon OAM says the fourth annual Australian Bush Fire Building Conference and Community Forum, held between September 6 and 8,  gives building industry professionals and experts from across the country the chance to play a part in keeping our communities safe.

“Obviously the blue mountains and other areas around the country have been badly affected by bush fires and suffered severe property losses, it happens every about ten years or so and has done for decades,” Mr Fehon explained.

“While there have been responses in the past this about saying: lets not wait for the next emergency. Lets have this discussion all year round so we’re constantly building structures that have the best chance of withstanding a bush fire.”

The conference originated as an information session for those who were forced to rebuild their homes and lives in the wake of the 2013 fires. It was a way to help connect them with the most up to date information available to best protect their new investments. 

Since then it has grown into something far more expansive. This year’s attendees will hear from local and international experts about bush fire building practices, research and regulations. Keynote speakers from the event’s major partners include representatives from the NSW RFS, Western Sydney University and the CSIRO along with US-based senior fire ecologist Dr Christopher Dicus, who will examine the recent California fires that destroyed around 10,000 structures. 

As professor and coordinator of the Wildland Fire and Fuels Management Program at California Polytechnic State University, among many other academic fire ecology roles, Dr Dicus brings a wealth of experience and knowledge on post-fire disaster assessment.  

While the first two days of the conference will provide policy makers, industry heads, innovators and scientists with the opportunity to converse. On Saturday, September 8, the forum will be opened to the general public.

This allows the community to stay up to date with the latest technology – to ensure their homes are as well protected as they can be – and to help develop a fire plan including what to do if you’re trapped and can’t escape the fire front.

Mr Fehon knows first hand how important this issue is. During the 2013 fires he was stuck in his car as he was driving to safety. His daughter was trapped in the local high school with nearly a thousand students. Fire resistant dwellings save lives, he says, that’s why it is too important an issue to ignore. 

“Often with emergency services they will say that people need to evacuate (an at risk area) but then that can change to: it’s too late to leave. Shelter in your homes,” he explained. 

“And if that’s the case you’re going to want to make sure you’ve done everything you can to make sure your home has the best chance of withstanding the initial fire front and subsequent ember attacks.”

He also warned that the issue of bush fires was not going away any time soon. In fact, with all research suggesting climate change is increasing the number of catastrophic fire risk days each year, we cannot afford to rest on our laurels.

“There’s a general acceptance (within the scientific community and fire safety industry) that climate change is having an impact on fires and as a result in years to come we will see more bush fires here and wild fires around the world, so, we’d better get ready for it.”

The fourth annual Australian Bush Fire Building Conference and Community Forum, will be held in the Blue Mountains between September 6 and 8.  

On Thursday, September 6, organisers will host a pre-conference field trip (optional) before the main conference on Friday, September 7, at the Fairmont Resort. 

On Saturday, September 8, the Bushfire Building Community Day – Forum and Expo will be held at the Blue Mountains Community Hub, in Springwood. This is a free event.

Conference tickets are now on sale. For more information visit www.bmee.org.au

Story sponsored by BMEE.