Proudly Serving Our Community
For many years, the Bungendore Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade has been an integral part of the local community, helping protect it in times of emergency and always being there when needed. It is a role our volunteers perform with pride, dedication and a strong sense of 'community'.
Through strong leadership, ongoing training and the development of new skills, we are constantly evolving to face the ever-changing challenges that have come with the growth of Bungendore village and its surrounding areas, often working in conjunction with other brigades and emergency services agencies.
All our members are part of the Bungendore community and all of us are proud to serve you. We are here to help at any time, day or night, 24/7.
Sand Hills Fire Week
- Details
- Category: Operations
Tuesday January 8th 2013 saw one of the worst fire danger days on record in NSW. We recorded winds up to over 100kph and temperatures approaching forty degrees. Our two ongoing fires at this point, Aberfeldy Lane and Herberton at Mount Fairy had flared up in the morning and crews were busy ensuring control lines were maintained. Leaves dried by the fire in previous days were
being blown from branches and across warm embers and control lines, threatening unburnt ground. We reported this via our @Bungendore2 twitter feed and it was subsequently picked up by the Sydney Morning Herald and Canberra Times.
At around four in the afternoon we had the first report of a second plume of smoke coming from near the Mount Fairy fireground. Additional reports also started coming from members of the public via 000 and through fire control.
Upon arrival they were faced with a large plume of smoke and flame, moving quickly through the tops of trees and into difficult, forested country with a number of homes.
Bungendore 1 responded from the station with a fresh crew and was followed, despite having been out since 9am, by Bungendore 2 minutes later, I was on the second truck.
We knew immediately that this was a dangerous fire and had potential to do damage to homes and life.
As the fire was burning through inaccessible country and we had little idea of its exact speed or location we were all tasked to property protection. Bungendore 2 was situated at the Palerang Homestead on Hazeldell Road, a small track off the Kings Highway with a dozen or so homes nestled in the bush. Despite the weather conditions and terrible visibility we managed to limit 
property loss to a couple of small sheds and a few hundred fence posts. No homes were destroyed on Hazeldell Road thanks to the good work of crews from around the area. Some of these homes were in difficult spots and had less than optimal protection.
The rest of the afternoon was spent rushing from point to point to prevent the fire front crossing the Kings Highway and from it spreading further west toward town. Crews from the area and the ACT managed to keep the southern side of the highway clear of fire save for a couple of very small spot fires that were brought quickly under control.
Despite nightfall the temperatures and wind stayed high and continued to move erratically, making the fire front unpredictable and causing a number of unexpected break outs. Most work was centered around the north and west fronts to secure those lines before an expected easterly change around 1am. Bungendore 2 and a small task force extinguished a number of running grass fires, conducted back burns and helped secure a large section of these lines.
Bungendore 1 and 2 were released from the fire ground around 1:30am. In the week since we have had vehicles at the scene almost every day to secure containment lines, black out hot spots and ensure there is no chance of re-ignition. One week on and the fire ground is now black and has been reduced to patrol status.
There is video from the first night here and photos here.
