Yarriabini National Park Fire Management Strategy

Home , Coffs Harbour

Contact Information Index Locality Operational Guidelines Risk Management Information North Coast Region Buckra Bendinni SF Agency Position / Location Phone Viewmont SF Refer to Strategy for Fire Management 2003 and Fire Management Manual 2004. Gumbaynggirr SCA NPWS Regional Duty Officer (24 hrs) 02 6641 1500 Yarriabini National Park Brief all personnel involved in suppression operations on the following issues: Nambucca Heads Area Manager (Coffs Coast) 02 6652 0900 Fire Management Strategy (Type 2) MACKSVILLE NAMBUCCA Bowraville !( Resource Guidelines 25k mapsheet 25k mapsheet !( Nambucca AA 0427 257 631 Mistake SF Nambucca SF Aboriginal Cultural Heritage • Information on sites of Aboriginal cultural heritage significance is stored separately 94361S 95364S 2005 Ranger 02 6652 0900 Management for confidentiality. Refer to the Aboriginal Heritage Information Management Sheet 1 of 1 Fire Management Officer 02 6641 1500 (NPWS FMM 4.11) System database (AHIMS) and North Coast Region Cultural Heritage Conservation Dunggir NP Officers. 0427 250 122 This strategy should be used in conjunction with aerial photography and field reconnaissance Macksville • Thumb Creek SF !( Historic Heritage Management Sites within the reserve are natural features, which would not be detrimentally during incidents and the development of incident action plans. Regional Operations Coordinator 02 6641 1500 Mistake SF (NPWS FMM 4.10) affected by fire. These data are not guaranteed to be free from error or omission. The NSW National Parks and Wildlife and its employees Nambucca 0427 165 785 • Other sites within reserve are in areas with a low fire risk. disclaim liability for any act done on the information in the data and any consequences of such acts or omissions. Local Government Area Coffs Coast Area Office 02 6652 0900 • If new sites are located consult with a senior NPWS officer. This document is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of study, research criticism or review, as permitted under the copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission. 02 6651 9525 (fax) Threatened Fauna Management • Where practicable, protect habitat areas and trees from the fire if the effects of the New England NP The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is part of the Department of Environment and Conservation. Works depot - Bowraville 02 6564 8607 (NPWS FMM 4.12 & 5.2) resulting fire frequency, season &/or intensity will have a significant or unknown Way Way SF impact. Published by the Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW), August 2005. Regional Office 02 6641 1500 • Where practicable, protect large and hollow-bearing trees. Scotts HMZ Contact: NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, North Coast Region, PO Box 361 Grafton NSW 2460. Ingalba SF Yarriabini NP 02 6643 5569 (fax) Threatened Flora Management • FL1 - Avoid the use of earth moving machinery in locations where these species are ISBN: 1 74137 495 2 DEC Number: 2005/371 Last Updated: 10 August Rural Fire Service Fire Control Officer 02 6568 2536 (NPWS FMM 4.12) known to occur. Avoid the use of retardant in locations where these species are 2005 Nambucca Fire Control Centre 02 6568 2536 known to occur. Middle Head HMZ Ingalba SF • FL2 - As far as possible, exclude all fire from locations where these species are This strategy is a relevant Plan under Section 38 (4) Fishermans Bend NR NSW Fire Brigade Emergency 000 Department of Ngambaa NR Ingalba SF known to occur. Avoid the use of earth moving machinery in locations where these and Section 44 (3) of Rural Fires Act 1997. Bowraville Environment and Conservation (NSW) 02 6564 7116 species are known to occur. Avoid the use of retardant in locations where these Leonards HMZ EUNGAI MACLEAY Macksville Cooks SFAZ 25k mapsheet ENTRANCE 02 6568 1561 species are known to occur. Endorsed by: Date: / / 94362N 25k mapsheet South West Rocks Threatened Property • Collombatti SF Tamban SF !( Arakoon SCA SES Emergency 000 Where possible property owners with assets at risk from a wildfire event should be Kempsey 95363N kept informed regarding the progress of the fire and asked for an assessment of their Director Northern, Parks & Wildlife Division Local Government Area Nambucca Unit 02 6658 1136 3. Tamban SF current level of asset protection preparedness. Reedys HMZ Jimmys Ridge HMZ Police Emergency 000 Old Forestry Sheds APZ Clybucca HS General Guidelines North Kinki Ridge HMZ Hat Head NP Macksville Station 02 6568 1044 Aerial Water Bombing • The use of bombing aircraft should support containment operations by aggressively (NPWS FMM 4.4 / NSW Fire Agencies attacking hotspots and spot-overs. Ambulance Emergency 000 Way Way HMZ Aviation SOPs O2 / NPWS Guidelines for • 4. All other bookings 131233 Effective Aircraft Management) The use of bombing aircraft without the support of ground based suppression crews Macleay Hills HMZ 1:130,000 1:300,000 Skillion NR should be limited to very specific circumstances. Barbers Lane APZ Hospital Macksville District Hospital 02 6568 1366 Grassy Head HMZ • Where practicable foam should be used to increase the effectiveness of the water. Mt Yarrahapinni HMZ DIPNR Coffs Harbour 02 6653 0100 • Ground crews must be alerted to water bombing operations. Bushfire Suppression State Forests 24 hour fire calls 02 6655 6950 Aerial Ignition • Aerial ignition may be used during back-burning or fuel reduction operations where NE Region - Coffs Hbr 02 6652 0111 (NPWS FMM 4.2.20, 4.4 / NSW Fire practicable, but only with the prior consent of a senior NPWS officer. Kinki Ridge HMZ

89 490 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 500 01 Agencies Aviation SOPs O2-4 / NPWS v

v •

v Council Nambucca 02 6568 2555 Utilise incendiaries to rapidly progress back-burns down slope where required.

v v Guidelines for Effective Aircraft 2. Ridge Trail HMZ v v

v Management) 1.

d v v v Kempsey 02 6566 3200 Mt Yarrahapinni APZ R v

rm v Tower APZ

A v v v

v rs Backburning •

lo v Temperature and humidity trends must be monitored carefully to determine the y v v vvv v

v a v

T v 02 6564 7812 v Aboriginal Land Bowraville Local Aboriginal Land Council v

v (NPWS FMM 4.8)

v v safest times to implement back-burns. Generally, when the FDI is Very High or

v Council v

v v v

v v greater, backburning should commence when the humidity begins to rise in the late v v v v

v v v

v v

01 v 01

v v v v v

v v vv afternoon or early evening. With a lower FDI backburning may be safely v v v v v v vv  v undertaken during the day. v v

v v Communications Information

v v • Where practicable, clear a 1m radius around dead and fibrous barked trees adjacent

v v v v

v v

v v v v

v v v v v v v Service Channel Location and Comments to containment lines prior to backburning, or wet down these trees as part of the v v v vv v

v v backburn ignition. v v NPWS - VHF • v 23, 28 Some dead spots; can delink Ch.23 if

v • v v v vv Avoid ignition of backburns at the bottom of slopes where a long and intense up v

v required

v v v v v v v v slope burn is likely.

v v

v v •

v Reverse channels 67, 72

v v v •

vv Command & Control The first combatant agency on site may assume control of the fire, but then must

v v v v

v v v v •

v NPWS Mid North Coast Region - Mt (NPWS FMM 4.2)

v 2 ensure the relevant land management agency is notified promptly.

v v

66 v v 66

00 v v v v 00

v v v Yarrahappini

v v v v

v v •

v v v On the arrival of other combatant agencies, the initial incident controller will consult v P v v

v v v  v v v v   

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v v v a v v v

v v

 v

c v

v v

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v i v v v with regard to the ongoing command, control and incident management team 1:50,000

f v v v v v v v NPWS - VHF (Fireground Comms) Determine channel on fire-ground.

v i v v v

v v v c

v v v  v v

v H v

v v

v requirements as per the relevant BFMC Plan of Operations. w v y NPWS - VHF (Portable Repeater) 14 (orange) •

v Stored at Dorrigo / transportable.

v  2. v • 1. Mt Yarrahapinni HMZ v Containment Lines • Construction of new containment lines should be avoided, where practicable, except Fire Management Zones Roads

16 (brown) • Can be located as required.

v v

v v (NPWS FMM 2.2, 3.9) where they can be constructed with minimal environmental impact. New

v v v APZ v Primary (Cat 1)

• containment lines require the prior consent of a senior NPWS officer. Mt Yarrahapinni HMZ

v Contact Regional Office, Grafton to

v v v

v SFMZ Secondary (Cat 9) v deploy. • Where practicable, containment lines should be stabilised and rehabilitated as part of

 v v

v v SFNSW 6 • the wildfire suppression operation. HMZ Closed v v Mt Yarrahappini v

v  • Tower APZ

v v

v All containment lines not required for other purposes should be closed at the v

v • NPWS Estate v Unclassified v

v RFS – PMR - UHF 84

99 v  99 Mt Yarrahappini

v 

v v

v cessation of the incident.

v v v

v v FL2 v v v

v 

v • LPI orthophoto image

v v RFS - GRN -

v NA v v  •

v v v  All personnel involved in containment line construction should be briefed on both

v   v v

v v • natural and cultural heritage sites in the location.

v v v CB - UHF 1 - 99

v Available in most RFS vehicles.

S   c v v

v o

v v t v •

ts Earthmoving Equipment Earthmoving equipment may only be used with the prior consent of a senior NPWS Mt Yarrahapinni APZ

 v 

v •

H v Choose channel on fire-ground with

v v e v v 1:9,879 v vv 1:9,879

a v (NPWS FMM 4.2.20, 4.3) officer, and then only if the probability of its success is high.

v d FL1

v RFS. v

v v v

v v v R

v v

d v v

v •  v 

v v

v Earthmoving equipment must be always guided and supervised by an experienced 3. 4.

v v v v

v •

v v

v Aircraft - VHF v

v v v Choose channel on fire-ground with

v v v

v officer, and accompanied by a support vehicle. When engaged in direct or parallel

v v

v v v RFS.

v v

v v v

v attack this vehicle must be a firefighting vehicle. v

v v v Grassy Head HMZ

v W 

v v v v v v v v v •

 v a  v  v v Mobile Phone - CDMA

v vv r Patchy in gullies, determine number on •

v v v v v a Containment lines constructed by earthmoving equipment should consider the v v v v t v a

98 v v v v v h  98 Old Forestry Sheds APZ

v v

v fire-ground. v S v

v v protection of drainage features, observe the Threatened Species and Cultural

v t

v v

v v v v v

v v Satellite Phone 0416155917 • Stored at Coffs Coast Area Office. Heritage Operational Guidelines, and be surveyed, where possible, to identify

v v

v unknown cultural heritage sites.

v v v v v v v v

v •

Requires clear view of the sky. v v

v v v v v v v v

v # • Earthmoving equipment should be washed down, where practicable, prior to it

v v t

v 

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v v

v n v v vv

ai v v v

v v entering NPWS estate.

v M v v v Barbers Lane APZ

v v d v v v v

v v R v Way Way HMZ v v v v •

s Fire Advantage Recording All fire advantages used during wildfire suppression operations must be mapped and

e v v

l v v v v

o v v Strategy Information v v v h v v where relevant added to the database.

y v v v G v v

a v l v

v Fire Season Information 1:9,879 1:9,879 v v v a

C v v

v d s Fire Suppression Chemicals • Wetting and foaming agents (surfactants) are permitted for use in wildfire s

r v R

v v v

v d y v D

v a • t e v r Wildfires Have been known to start as early as late August, but e H v H (NPWS FMM 4.2.20, 4.9) v b ts suppression.

v l ot e A v

vv c v a v S

97 v v d 97 usually the potential for a large fire event is greatest v

v v R v •

v The use of fire retardant is only permitted with the prior consent of the senior NPWS

v d v

v v between October and December. This period may v v v v

v officer, and should be avoided where reasonable alternatives are available. v v v

v vvv extend into January in more severe years. v v v v

v vv

v v •

v v v

v Exclude the use of surfactants and retardants within 50m of rainforest, watercourses, v

v v v v Prescribed Burning •

v v v General season is Autumn to late Winter. Burning is

v v v

 v dams and swamps.

v v v (NPWS Fire Management Manual 4.7) possible in early Spring but not desirable on a

v v v v v v v v v v v

vv v v

v v v vv •

v v Areas where fire suppression chemicals are used must be mapped and the used

v v regular basis from an ecological or tourism point of

v v v

v d

v v v v v v products name recorded. R vv view.

v Fire Management Zones

k v v FL2 v e v v v e •

r Suppression Strategies The Threatened Species Operational Guidelines are to be observed.

v v  v  C Asset Protection The objective of APZs is the protection of human life and property. This will have precedence over v

v v v y

v v a vv Current FDR Forecast FDR Rehabilitation •

v v Where practicable, containment lines should be stabilised and rehabilitated as part of

v W v v Zones guidelines for the management of biodiversity. Maintain Overall Fuel Hazard at Moderate or below. v

v v

v v v

v y v

R v

v a v

v v (NPWS FMM 5.1) v •

v Low – Mod Low – Mod

o Undertake direct, parallel or indirect attack along the wildfire suppression operation.

v v

v W Strategic Fire The objective of SFAZs is to reduce fire intensity across larger areas. Maintain Overall Fuel Hazard at

96 s 96 v v

v v v e

w v v existing containment lines. •

o G Smoke Management The potential impacts of smoke and possible mitigation tactics must be considered Advantage Zones High or below, however adherence to guidelines for biodiversity will take precedence where practical.

v ra

o v s

v sy v Hv d v

ea v

v d

R • v v d (NPWS FMM 3.4)

R Where practicable consider maximising the fire area when planning for wildfire suppression and prescribed burning operations. v 

v Heritage Management The objective of HMZs is to conserve biodiversity and protect cultural heritage. Manage fire

v d v

v v in accordance with the requirements of any proposed • v If smoke becomes a hazard on local roads or highways, the police and relevant Zones consistent with fire thresholds.

v v  v v

d prescribed burns. v v

v R media must be notified.  v  n vv i v • a

v Low – Mod = > High

t In order to minimise the fire area and secure the v • n Smoke management must be in accordance with relevant RTA traffic management

v u

v  o v flanks as soon as possible, undertake direct, parallel v W M es guidelines. le s

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Av ! ! t  or indirect attack along the closest containment lines.

v Scotts Mountain o v e c • v Visitor Management The reserve may be closed to the public during periods of extreme fire danger or v  S  v ! ! Un • Pay particular attention to the flank on the next nam (NPWS FMM 3.6, 4.13) during wildfire suppression operations. v ed

v _NC # ! ! 864 predicted down wind side.

95 v 95

v v ! ! ! ! • v v High All Undertake indirect attack along existing or newly v v Way Way State Forest

v ! ! ! ! v C ! ! !

pt 490  Middle Head Trl constructed containment lines.

/ L v vv 3 Rd eo  nar

! ! ! ! ! ! ds R Old Pole v d Culvert Trl • v  Secure and deepen containment lines along the next

Unnam v Hig ! ! ! ! ! v h Knob Trk  v v 

v  predicted downwind side of the fire.  d C Middle R

v ! ! ! ! ed pt 490 Head Trl v /4 R d T # d a •

rl e If applicable consider broader than normal l

r ! ! ! H T y # Fire Thresholds

 s v  6 FL2 containment strategies to avoid wasted effort and 5  s

8  a

v ! ! ! ! r

C C Fire thresholds have been exceeded. v G  v p v t 4

90/5 N high risk of failure.

v R v v d _ Overburnt v v  d ! ! ! ! !  v v

v e • · Protect from fire as far as possible.

v v m All All Ensure there is sufficient time to secure containment

C a

v v n ! ! ! ! ! !

v l v v

v a n

v v L l The area will be Overburnt if it burns this year. v y e r 

v U o lines prior to the fire impacting upon them;

h n T Vulnerable  v o

94 v  ! ! ! ! ! ! a b  94 v  r l The Pines Picnic Area d o · Protect from fire as far as possible. e v v  s n otherwise fall back to the next potential line.

R s A T K

v o r

v #  l

v R ! ! ! ! l v  v s l s v e i k v v w d s o Time since fire is less than the optimum interval, but before that it was within threshold. o  o  T o Recently Burnt v d r C l l R r d · Avoid fires if possible. B T # #  r  4  o  w 1 Fire history is within the threshold for vegetation in this area. v n 9  l  Within Threshold s C r C N T · A burn is neither required nor should one necessarily be avoided.

v r _ Pa d v o  y ans  d r A U Unn cces s am R s e e Old Forestry Sheds a d U s n _NC9 0 e d The area is close to its threshold and may become underburnt with the absence of fire. i n 6 n T m  n rl v n a  g n g a a  Almost Underburnt  d u m m n i R o  e e n R · A prescribed burn may be advantageous. Consider allowing unplanned fires to burn. d B d d U _ s _ N N C y Fire frequency is below fire thresholds in the area.

v C In 8 R m  v 8 5 e d e m Underburnt i 2 d i 5 g y s J 4 o T  T rl  · A prescribed burn may be advantageous. Consider allowing unplanned fires to burn.

v rl Gra v v v ssy v v He  93 v v v  ad R   Pilot's Lookout 93 Unknown Insufficient data to determine fire threshold. k Rd d Cree FL1 tchers  S  u h I NB. Fire thresholds are defined for vegetation communities to conserve biodiversity B n 9

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utc i 2 v B 8 R  7 4 Vegetation Status of Fire Thresholds 8 Recent Fires 8    C N B _ v l a

v r d Un  v 8 r n T  e a b S 5   m e e

e d 8 m i _ l N Yarriabini National Park r v a g C C s l 8 No recent fires within park e n

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v Overburnt

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v R U U Fires 2003-2004 Vulnerable r

w o U T nn B a Fires 1992-2000 v me Recently Burnt r d o _NC w Yarriabini National Park 8 7 d

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R s U St C ran n d Within threshold g n a r e v e o d Tre a s R e m  H v 1 R s / d e i 2 y n 8 d 4 _ s Almost Underburnt g pt  N s

a R C C r d 8 0 v G 7 5  7 8 Underburnt U C n N

n _ a d v m n e Unknown / No regime assigned L e

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v FL2 v ! ! ! ! v ! ! v v v 1:50,000 1:50,000 1:50,000

v v v 

! ! ! ! ! ! d v FL2 v R v Ilwains

Mc v v v  v v ! ! ! ! v vv v v

v v vv v ! ! ! ! ! v v v

v Bushfire Suppression Legend ! ! ! !  v Contour Interval 10 metres ASSUME ALL GATES LOCKED ! ! ! v NPWS Estate Yarriabini National Park Native regrowth v v! !v N  State Forest ! ! Rainforest Native regrowth/Weeds  86  Gate - non NPWS  Threatened Property 000m. ! ! Plantation

P v a 86 c Wet sclerophyll forest Agriculture/timber plantation if Roads 65 ic  Gate - NPWS  European Cultural Site H v v w Powerlines y

v v Primary (Cat 1)  Swamp sclerophyll forest Cleared/weeds

Water Point Vehicle v v ²  Vantage Point  v v Threatened Flora Rock/sand v v Secondary (Cat 9)  Semi-mesic grassy forest Water Point Helicopter vv Communications Datum: AGD1966 v  Threatened Fauna v Closed WHV Shrubby dry sclerophyll forest Unknown / Not recorded v   Tower Water Point H & V Projection: UTM ‚ 1:25,000 Unclassified # Refuge Area Grassy sclerophyll woodland Grid: AMG Zone 56 v  489000m.E 490 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 500 01 Noted scales are true when this map is printed on A0 size paper