newy.com.au – Firefighters contained a bushfire that burnt about three hectares in Pokolbin State Forest on Monday, using hand tools and leaf blowers to limit its spread in remote terrain with little access to water.
Thornton Rural Fire Brigade said its six-person tanker crew was called at 9.44am to the fire near Broken Back Mountain. Reaching the fireground meant taking the truck along steep, rough fire trails to an elevation of about 500 metres.
The crew joined firefighters from across the RFS Lower Hunter area and Forestry Corporation of NSW, with an RFS Hunter Valley bulk water carrier also on site. The brigade said the remote location and limited water access meant crews used tactics that kept water consumption to a minimum.
Crews worked for several hours in challenging conditions before the fire was declared contained. Forestry crews then made a final drone flight to check the fireground. No smoke was visible, the brigade said, and firefighters were released from the scene about 3.30pm.
The Thornton tanker was diverted on its return journey to investigate another report of smoke in Pokolbin. Firefighters initially found no smoke at the reported location, then joined North Rothbury Rural Fire Brigade to speak with the resident who had raised the alarm.
The resident pointed out a smoke column in the direction of the earlier fire. Crews identified it as coming from a hazard reduction burn at Abernethy and reassured the resident.
The Thornton crew returned to the station, replenished supplies and cleaned the tanker before standing down about 6.30pm.
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