CFS News
The Australia Day long weekend this year will go down as a time we were tested - as individuals, as a Brigade and as a community. What the CFS subsequently referred to as the “Cherry Gardens fire” started for us with the following page at 4:15 PM Sunday 24 Jan -
MFS: *CFSRES INC0120 24/01/21 16:15 RESPOND GRASS FIRE, ALARM LEVEL: 1, 117 HICKS HILL RD CHERRY GARDENS,MAP:ADL 167 K12,TG 146, ==SMK FROM ORCHARD RD :AIRDESK4 CHRY34 CHRY34P IRBK24 IRBK34 R1_PHILLIP STUG_BW11C :
This saw all of our appliances (plus Ironbank) immediately dispatched to Hicks Hill Road. At the time we were crewed and on active standby at the station due to the severe fire weather conditions. We went to work quickly upon arrival, immediately calling for more support. Within thirteen minutes the response had escalated significantly with more units called plus water bomber support. During this time, numerous other 000 reports were made for different locations in the area and a major outbreak had started in Scott Creek Conservation Park. The incidents were further upgraded four minutes later to call in strike teams from further afield – from places such as Hahndorf, Mylor, Bradbury, Mt Barker, Meadows and Nairne. Ultimately, CFS crews and other emergency service providers would be called from all parts of the State to battle these fires over the coming days.
The Cherry Gardens brigade was primarily involved with the fires at Hicks Hill Road, which was brought under control by late Sunday night. Numerous houses were successfully defended by the various units assigned to this area, but some sheds and fencing were unfortunately impacted. Our thoughts and best wishes are with those families. We all tried hard to avoid any loss.
Over the next couple of days, we supported the crews dealing with the major fire at Scott Creek Conservation Park. This fire was virtually unstoppable during the initial stages and well into the early hours of Monday morning. It had the potential (and was predicted) to impact on the Cherry Gardens area. Lack of overnight wind and some morning rain allowed crews from neighbouring areas to get the upper hand with this fire. They did an outstanding job.
Since these horrific fires, the community support for our Brigade has been overwhelming. Donations of supplies, drinking water, cakes, food and well wishes has been incredibly humbling. We are very grateful for this support and cannot thank the community enough.
At a State level, we have subsequently hosted His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le, Governor of South Australia, Premier Steven Marshall, Vincent Tarzia – member for Hartley, Steve Murray MP, Member for Davenport, Josh Teague - Member for Heysen and CFS Chief Officer Mark Jones at our station. They were all interested in hearing first-hand how our community was affected, how the brigade was dealing with events and what further support was needed.
Much more can be written regarding the events of 24/25 January and perhaps in coming months we will share some more stories and photographs. Fighting a fire is a team effort on so many levels but the main message from the Brigade to the Cherry Gardens Community is how grateful we are for all the support and well wishes.
Thank you!
Many of you would also know that a Community Meeting was held at the Memorial Hall on Friday 5th Feb with a great turnout of people all coming together to share experiences and hear about the various support services available.
Council and State Government representatives attended along with many CFS crew members (who received a huge amount of well-deserved thanks and recognition on the night) as well as our neighbours from Bradbury, Ironbank and Scott Creek who were directly impacted. It was a great chance for everyone to reflect on what had happened and hear about the many organisations that are available to assist with recovery which we’ll share via Facebook and on our website.
We train every Monday night for those who may be interested in what we do.
If you have not thought about this yet, then please stop and get your Bushfire Safety Plan prepared and clean up around your place. You can follow this link to do a 5-minute plan.
https://www.cfs.sa.gov.au/prepare-for-a-fire/5-minute-bushfire-plan/
Finally, a reminder again that we are looking for any information that anyone might have on the early days of the Cherry Gardens Air Strip.
To report suspicious behaviour call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
For all other emergencies dial 000 and ask for “Adelaide, Fire” “South Australia”