tarlo river national park draft fire management strategy
TRANSCRIPT
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Map 2: Fire Management Zones
Map 5: Bushfire Behaviour Potential
Map 3: Vegetation Communities
Map 4: Fires Last Ten Years
Map 1: Location
Bushfire Fuel Types and comparative fire behaviourThis map shows modelling of comparative fire behaviour that may be expected in thevarious vegetation types across the reserves and surrounding areas. It is intendedas an operational guide to assist fire suppression and prescribed burning operationsbut does not replace constant surveillance of on-site fire behaviour, weather trendsand local terrain effects.
CONTACT INFORMATIONEmergency Calls - Fire, Ambulance, Police
Call "000" stating service required National Parks & Wildlife Service NSW (Dept.of Environment & Conservation)
Emergency ContactBusiness Hours - 0830-1630 Mon.-Fri. 4423 2170After Hours / All areas 1800 629 104Local NPWS Area Office Bungonia 4844 4277Lookdown Rd BungoniaSouth Coast Regional Office 4423 217055 Graham St. Nowra NSW 2541
Rural Fire ServiceSouthern Tablelands Zone Emergency calls 62263100Upper Lachlan(Crookwell)
Fire Control CentreBusiness Calls 48320268
For Brigade Contact No:s Contact Fire ControlMulwaree/Goulburn Fire Control
Business Calls 48222900RFS Brigades located at :North Group Captain Ken Ainsworth 48402032Taralga (North & N/West ofPark)
Captain 48435976Fire Station 48402276
Big Hill (East & South of Park) Captain 4841 5132Fire Station 4841 5050
Tarlo (S/West of Park)Mulwaree/Goulburn
Captain 48406144 NSW Fire Brigades
Goulburn 4822 1608 Police
Taralga Police Station 48402044Marulan Police Station 4841 1516Goulburn Police Station 4824 0799
State Emergency Service (SES)Emergency Assistance No. 132 500Goulburn Headquarters 4822 1800
Local GovernmentUpper Lachlan Council 48321022(After Hours) 0429786659
Aircraft Fuel SuppliesSkyfuel (Shell) Bankstown (Bulk & Drum Stock) 97910053Hill & Co. (Mobil) Goulburn (Drum Stock) 4821 3252
COMMUNITY CONTACTSNearest Hospital/sGoulburn Base Hospital, Goulburn 4827 3111
WILDLIFE RESCUEWIRES Goulburn 4822 3888
Communications InformationTarlo River NPServices Channel Location & CommentRadioNPWS – VHF 24 Ellsmore RepeaterNPWS –VHF(Fireground Comms) 56 17 –18 5 Watt ChannelsNPWS – VHF (Portable Repeater) 15 & 13 Stored at NPWS Bungonia –
transportable (13 backpack)NPWS /RFS (X Band Repeater) 14 Stored at NPWS Nowra Workshop –
transportableFull range of both simplex & duplexNPWS VHF & RFS PMR channels
RFS PMR – UHF Mulwaree 26 & 24RFS PMR – UHF Upper Lachlan 26 & 24RFS CB – UHF Big Hill 16, Taralga 28Aircraft – VHF 119.1 Or as advised by State OpsPhonePublic Phones Bungonia NPWS, Bungonia & MarulanMobile Phone - CDMA Telstra – poor coverage away from
Highway, Bannaby Road, GreenwichPark Road
Mobile Phone – GSM Telstra – very poor coverage away fromHighway
Satellite Phone Available for deployment from NPWSHighlands Area Office
Fire Regimes - VegetationIn order to maintain biodiversity within the reserve the following fire regimes are indicated for vegetation types thatmay be present. The aim is for a range of areas with differing times since fire within these intervals. W ithin APZsthese thresholds may be exceeded where necessary for asset protection. Fire frequency in SFAZs may trend towardlower thresholds in order to provide a strategic advantage in containing wildfire. The below intervals are broadguidelines only and fire requirements for specific species may need to be considered.The vegetation types listed below are not all necessarily present within the area covered by this Fire ManagementStrategy. Map ID Regime
Vegetation type Minimum fireinterval
Maximum fire intervalA W oodland, Grassy dry forest 5 30B W etlands 6 35C Open forest, W oodland 5 40D Riparian forest, Plateau
complex, Dry forest5 50
E Open Forest, Dry Forest, Heathland 7 30F Riparian Forest, Swamp Forest, Moist Forest 7 35H Moist Forest, Gorge/Gully Forest 25 200I Rainforest. Exclude fire
wherepossible
Exclude fire where possible
NoRegime
Rural, Urban, W aterbodies N/A N/A
Cultural Heritage Sites Cultural Sites: The following guidelines are indicated for cultural sites observed withinthe reserve. Not all sites are known and the indicated areas are generalised locationsonly. As specific sites and requirements are identified they may be added to laterrevisions of of this strategy.
Historic Heritage Sites H1 · As far as possible protect site from fire.
· Avoid all ground disturbance including the use ofearthmoving machinery, handline construction anddriving over sites.
· Avoid water bombing which may damage site.· Use of foams, wetting agents and retardants is
acceptable.
Flammable andstructurally unsoundsites includingbuildings with lowstructural integrity.
H2 · Avoid all ground disturbance including the use ofearthmoving machinery, handline construction anddriving over sites.
· Avoid water bombing.
Sites which are notflammable but arestructurally unsoundincluding dry stonewalls.
Threatened Fauna Management StrategiesMap ID Fire Strategies Species Common Name Species
StatusFaunaFA1 No slashing,
trittering or treeremoval.
Climacteris picumnus Brown Treecreeper Vulnerable
FA 2 No slashing,trittering or treeremoval aroundknown nesting sites.
Ninox strenua Powerful Owl Vulnerable
FA 3 No slashing,trittering or treeremoval.
Pyrrholaemussagittatus
Speckled Warbler Vulnerable
FA 4 No slashing,trittering or treeremoval.
Petaurus norfolcensis Squirrel Glider Vulnerable
FA 5 Undetermined * Petaurus australis Yellow-belliedGlider
Vulnerable
* Specific operational requirements undetermined – No species specific fire requirements knownat present, however the potential impact of firefighting chemicals and heavy machinery useshould be considered and where possible minimised.
Fire Management Strategy InformationFor fire management planning the reserve is divided into two main types of firemanagement zones each with strategies to address fire management in the particulararea. Other strategies apply to the whole reserve (eg fire access network) or addressfire management for particular values found in the reserve (eg, threatened species,cultural sites) These strategies guide the fire management and related works within thisreserve. Guidelines are also provided to assist with operational matters – see table.Fire Management Zones – Tarlo River National ParkSFAZ Strategic Fire Advantage Zones: These zones are strategically placed and
managed to provide an advantage for fire fighters in containing andsuppressing wildfires. Here, fire frequency may occur towards the lowerthresholds necessary to conserve biodiversity, ie more often.
HMZ Heritage Management Zones: Within these zones fire is managed towards arange of intensities and frequencies required in order to conserve naturalprocesses (biodiversity) and cultural assets. Fire authorities continue to aim atcontaining wildfires in these areas.
· For more information on the strategies and purposes of these zones refer to the NSW NPWS Strategy forFire Management. www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
· NB: Some zones extend beyond the boundaries of the Reserve to a logical fire break or boundary for thezone. Where these are outside the Reserve the owners / managers need to be contacted for details offire management options for these areas.
· These zones will form part of the overall Bushfire Risk Management Plans for the Upper Lachlan &Goulburn/Mulwaree Fire Districts.
Fire Management Zones and strategies for Tarlo River National ParkStrategies to be used for Fire Management and Bushfire SuppressionStrategic Fire Advantage Zone Strategies - SFAZsMap ID Zone NameS1 Barrys SFAZS2 Eastern SFAZS3 Greenwich SFAZS4 Kerrawary SFAZS5 Potters North SFAZS6 Potters SFAZS7 Potters South SFMZS8 South SFAZS9 Stillhouse SFAZS10 Swamp SFAZS11 Western SFMZ
StrategiesReview fire management works program for the zone, annually post fireseason. This assessment includes bushfire fuel, fire history, biodiversitymaintenance and the condition of fire control facilities within the zone such asfire access tracks, slashed areas, gates, information signs, identified waterpoints etc. Fire related works for reserve declared and reported to DistrictBush Fire Management Committee. Annually – pre-season.Undertake burning under prescribed conditions where indicated by above firefuel assessments and biodiversity maintenance requirements – as required.Maintain identified fire access tracks to indicated standard – as required.Assess and report condition of fire access tracks to emergency services – prefire season.Maintain cooperative management and communication with adjoininglandholders so that effective fire risk management is maintained across thezone and adjoining bushlands.Seek cooperation of local RFS brigades in the monitoring of SFAZ fuel andaccess conditions.
Fire Works ProgramThe works program arising from the above strategies are prepared and reviewedannually. This program is prepared from the post fire season assessment of each of thezones as above. Also considered are seasonal weather trends, available resources andcooperative arrangements with neighbours, other fire authorities and land managementagencies. Fire related works for the reserve are summarised and presented to the localDistrict Bush Fire Management Committee annually, usually before the bushfire dangerperiod. Some works indicated may not be completed due to prevailing weather patterns,or the necessary redirection of effort and resources to other priority fire tasks such aswildfire control and rehabilitation. In most cases, such deferred works are carriedforward into subsequent programs.Information on the works to be undertaken are available from local NPWS offices andthe Upper Lachlan & Goulburn/Mulwaree District Bush Fire Management Committees atthe district RFS headquarters.Other Fire Management Information and Strategies for specific Natural and Culturalvalues in Tarlo River National ParkFire Season information and weather patterns :Wildfires: Fire history indicates fires of greater intensity and control difficulty during mid-summer and autumn, though periods of drought may extend this from late October toMay. Strong, westerly winds are noted from late August to mid October. Fire intensityand spread are largely dependent on seasonal curing in grassland areas. Duringsummer the area is subject to hotter dry winds from the north and west. In this period,cooler, moister north-east sea-breezes may occasionally extend inland, Southerlychanges over this period are usually much later, drier and lesser in strength than areasalong the coast. Thunderstorm activity in the summer months often produces unstablefireground weather with possible lightning ignitions and unreliable rainfall.Prescribed Burning: Late summer / autumn / and winter are the preferred seasons forprescribed burning where desirable stable conditions and trends are more likely. Areasat higher altitudes may commence earlier in the season. Burning may take place outsidethese periods for specific operational and biodiversity management objectives.
Operational Guidelines – Tarlo River National ParkThese guidelines are provided to assist fire management activities within the reserve.They are framed by current cooperative arrangements with other fire authorities, NPWSstrategies for fire management, reserve management plans, neighbours and other site-specific issues that need to be considered. Feedback on these matters is alwaysappreciated and should be directed to NPWS Highlands Area Office, “Yarrunga”Nowra Rd, Fitzroy Falls 2577.Command and Control: The NPWS is responsible for fire management within thereserve. Any fire authority may initiate size-up and attack with advice to the NPWS uponinitial fire sighting or report. See Contacts section to advise fire reports in or within 8kmof the reserve. Class 1 fire suppression operations may remain under command of theinitial attack agency following assessment and advice by NPWS.Visitor Safety: Consider public safety within initial response operations (i.e., clearinglikely visitor use areas and sites, warnings and information, on-site protection, closuresor evacuation where instructed by Police).Fire Suppression : Firefighter safety is paramount. Containment options shouldconsider using existing roads, trails, walking tracks and recently burnt areas. Wherepossible to limit unnecessary damage, earthmoving equipment should be limited tobrushing up existing tracks. If extreme fire conditions prevail, fall back to xxxxxxxxxx.Earthmoving Equipment: Except for immediate initial attack, the use of earthmovingequipment for fire suppression within the reserve requires NPWS consent. There aresignificant natural and cultural values at unnecessary risk from unplanned use ofearthmoving equipment. Contact the NPWS if earthworks are required. ALL use ofearthmoving equipment will be consistent with NPWS safety, operational andenvironmental guidelines.Foam and Retardant Use: Avoid foam and retardant use within the reserve unlessthere is a significant necessary operational advantage. DO NOT use on or nearwatercourses, wetlands, rainforests or swampy areas. Unless under emergencyconditions always obtain permission before using rural water supplies / sources. Takecare when tanker filling not to contaminate water sources.Aerial operations: Aerial operators should be briefed on location of transmission linesin the area. Consider safety implications where aircraft will operate over adjacent urbanareas or dwellings, or operate from publicly accessible fireground sites. Aerial operationsshould be postponed or abandoned if there is a high risk of a storm moving through thearea, or there is a significant wind change anticipated.Smoke Management: Consider prompt advice to communities downwind and considertraffic management during fire suppression operations. Consider safety and healthimplications during Prescribed Burning operations. Cold air drainage patterns in thisarea may also carry smoke some distance from the fireground and may adversely affecttransport operations. Notify nearby highway and airspace management agencies if asmoke hazard to traffic is likely.Rehabilitation: Earthmoving equipment and other resources should be allocated to soilerosion control works and remedial restoration before standing down from fireoperations.Arson: Report ALL fires of unknown cause or suspected arson to Police via FireControl. Protect likely ignition point/s or evidence. Report any suspicious activity on ornear the fireground.Locked Gates: Any NPWS locked gates within the reserve are fitted with standard keykept in fire tankers and available from Fire Control. Report any missing or damagedlocks via Fire Control or to NPWS. For public safety during fire operations, some gatesmay need to left in closed position but not locked. Close/lock NPWS gates afteroperations. Where safe, leave farm gates as you find them.Map Grid : Datum for map grid shown is AGD 66. This will remain in use until themajority of map sheets covering the area are revised to the newer GDA datum. Toapproximately locate a map reference given in GDA to this map (AGD 66) moveapproximately 200 metres to the southwest from the given grid reference. Conversely,to relay a grid reference from this map (AGD 66) to someone with a GDA map, give thereference of a point approximately 200m to the northeast of the position shown on thismap.Special site considerationsWildlife: Where possible, protect hollow trees adjacent to control lines during firesuppression operations. Prepare control lines to avoid introducing fire to these “habitat”trees during prescribed burning activities (also saves considerable “mop-up” effort).Report all injured wildlife to NPWS or wildlife carer organisations.Rare or threatened plant species - known sites: Fireground control personnel shouldseek relevant information and brief all personnel involved in control line construction andsuppression activities on the location of threatened species sites or habitats andappropriate actions to protect these sites – refer to relevant strategies table.Cultural sites – known Aboriginal and Historic sites: Fireground control personnelshould seek relevant information and brief all personnel involved in control lineconstruction and suppression activities on the location of sites within the operationalarea and appropriate actions to protect these sites – refer to relevant strategies tables.
Heritage Management Zones – HMZsMap ID Zone NameH1 Eastern HMZH2 Greenwich HMZH3 Long HMZH4 Northern HMZH5 Powerlines HMZH6 Western HMZ
StrategiesReview fire management works program for the zone annually, post fireseason. This assessment includes, fire history, biodiversity maintenance andthe condition of fire control facilities within the zone such as fire access tracks,slashed areas, gates, information signs, identified water points etc.Undertake burning under prescribed conditions where indicated by aboveassessment for biodiversity maintenance requirements – as required.
Overall Fire Response and Management StrategiesFire Detection: The NPWS maintains and contributes to cooperative fire detection andresponse arrangements across the reserve. This includes lookouts, surveillance flights,lightning detection and communications systems. During periods of higher fire dangerthis reserve may be patrolled and restrictions placed on visitor access and use of fire.This will be notified via the local media.Fire Response: Apart from any specific conditions indicated in the OperationalGuidelines, the NPWS as a NSW fire authority prepares and maintains personnel andequipment to undertake fire management and response within the reserve. Theseresources are also provided under cooperative contact, callout, and incident managementarrangements within the Upper Lachlan & Goulburn/Mulwaree Fire Districts Fire Districtsand across NSW.Fire Suppression : As this reserve is isolated from other natural areas, most unplannedfire will require a prompt response aimed at limiting the size of the area affected. Firesuppression tactics in all areas will primarily consider immediate visitor and firefightersafety, minimising unnecessary disturbance and will have regard to constraints definedwithin reserve Plans of Management.Prescribed Fire: May be introduced to maintain biodiversity or meet protectionobligations as identified within the fire management zones as mapped. The NPWSmaintains a record of known fire history and will annually review the need to undertakeprescribed burning. Each proposal is subject to environmental assessment andoperational safety planning. All burning proposals for the coming season (July-June) arelisted with the Upper Lachlan & Goulburn/Mulwaree Bush Fire Management Committees.For details or enquiries contact the NPWS Area (see Contacts) or either the UpperLachlan or Goulburn/Mulwaree Fire Control Centre.Fire Management Access: The NPWS will maintain the fire tracks identified on themap (in red) to a trafficable standard for Category 9 fire tankers as indicated. At aminimum these will be reviewed prior to the fire season and when the annual firemanagement works program is prepared. Other management tracks will be maintainedas required for reserve management operations or to limit environmental effects andshould always be assessed before being used for fire operations. Any firefighting accessproblems should be immediately notified to the NPWS Area office (see Contacts). Alsorefer to operational guidelines.Community Information: The NPWS will participate in cooperative communityinformation programs in the Upper Lachlan & Goulburn/Mulwaree Fire Districts. For thisreserve these will focus on fire management works and biodiversity maintenance andNPWS role in cooperative fire management and response in the reserve.
Goulburn
Taralga MittagongTarlo River
National Park
H4
H6H3
S7
S8
H1
H5 S4
S9
S1
S6
S10
S5
H2
S2
S2
S11
H1
S3
H2S3
TARALGA HANWORTH
CANYON LEIGHCHATSBURY
89293S
89284N88281N
88292S
VegetationRegimes
WoodlandWetlandsOpen ForestRiparian ForestRainforestDry ForestSwamp ForestMoist ForestCleared, Grassland or Not ModelledPark Boundary
CoverageGoodPoorNilPark Boundary
All Recent FiresFire 2004Park Boundary
;s
;s
LegendFire Management Zones
²0 0.3 0.6 0.9 1.20.15
Kilometers
Long Swamp Road
ClearedorNo Data to Model
Park BoundaryHigher Lower
BBP
Map 1: Location of Tarlo River National Park
Map 4: Fire History - Last 10 years
Map 2: Fire Management Zones
Map 5: Bushfire Behaviour Potential
Map 3: Vegetation Fire Regimes
Map 6: 1:25,000 Topographic Map Index Map 7: Computer Modelled Radio Coverage Ch. 24 Ellsemore Tower
Fire Management ZonesTYPE
SFAZHMZ
Park Boundary
(Refer to Table for Zone Names)
Tarlo River National ParkDraft Fire
Management StrategyJuly 2006
Copyright Department of Environment and Conservation . These data are not guaranteedto be free from error or omission. The Department of Environment and Conservation
and its employees disclaim liability for any act done on the information in the the data and any consequences of such acts or omissions.
Grid Interval 1000m Australian Map Grid Zone 55
Scale 1:25,000Taralga & Chatsbury Map Sheets
(1:25 000)Please forward comments on this strategy to:
[email protected] or NPWS Highlands Area Office, Nowra Rd Fitzroy Falls NSW 2577
This Map should be used in conjunction with topographic maps and groundreconnaissance during incidents and the development of incident action plans.
Cowh o rn Trail
Kerraway Tarlo Junction Trail
Kerra
way Cree
k Trail
Stillhouse Creek Trail
Tar lo R iver T rail
Pot ters
North T
rail
Potters Trail
Bush Bottoms
Spur Trail
Eas t
B oun
dary
Trail
Bush Bottoms Trai l
Potters South Trail
Yarru
nga
South
Trail
Small
Ck T
railQu
ar ry T
r ail
Greenwich P ar k R d
Public/Private Not ClassifiedWalking Tracks
V V Utilities (Incomplete)
Public/Private Road/TrailNPWS Management Trail
Legend;r Asset8h Helipad8j Staging Area[q Water Heli!n Water Vehicleû NPWS Locked Gate - KA3ú Private Locked Gatei RFS Shed
Park Boundary