On the night of 11 August a group of four people camped in the North Kimberley at the King Edward crossing, free campsite. They were remembered by other campers because there were two older, and two younger people who made a lot of noise, played loud music and were generally inconsiderate of the others camped there.
About lunchtime on the 12 August, Drysdale River Station took a phone call from Hobart, with a message relayed by a radio club which gave the news that a fire was out of control at the King Edward campground.
Drysdale then phoned CALM at the Mitchell Plateau camp. John Hayward from CALM grabbed the firefighting unit and rushed down to the fire, arriving about 3pm. Despite John's best attempts, the fire was, by this time, too large and too wide spread for him to put out.
Fire Investigation
The area of the camp was inspected and the starting point of the fire was found to be the camp site belonging to the four inconsiderate people. On departure they had pulled a log from their campfire and just left it laying on the dead grass near the fire. The log smoldered on and started the wildfire.
Fire Still Burning
Now, over a month later, the fire is still burning. During that month, attempts have been made to pull it up at various places, the only successful one being when CALM stopped it before it burnt out the Mitchell Falls camp ground.
This fire is far from over. It is possible, in fact likely, that it will not stop until it has taken out millions more acres. It is now heading for Mt Elizabeth Station and may well not stop until rain puts it out.
Fire Pushed by Changing Winds
Conservative estimate of the affected area, based on satellite imagery and on site inspections.
The changing winds have pushed the front in different directions. Some arms of the fire front have gone out, due to running into some of the earlier break burns which were put in by CALM, FESA and the pastoralists, as part of their annual fire mittigation programme.
Extent of the Fire
At an estimate it has now taken out towards three million acres or 10 to 12 thousand square km's. The main front is now burning on and around Drysdale River Station. On Tuesday 13 September it had come within one km of the Homestead. It has now taken over half this station plus the others it went through to get here.
Hot Fire
Because this is a late, hot fire, it is doing a great deal of harm. Due to Drysdale River Station getting only half our average rainfall last wet season, there is now no ground moisture and there will be no useful grass re-growth until it rains again. Such a hot fire is doing a clean sweep of the country, so in some areas there will be little or no feed remaining for the cattle. A hot fire like this does far greater damage to grasses and trees and they will take a lot longer to regenerate than from a cool early burn.
Future Fire Mittigation
The other problem arising from this fire happening at this time of year, is that next April/May when firebreaks should be put in, there will be only one wet season of new fresh growth which will not carry an early fire. The patch burn firebreaks should be put in place soon after the wet season while there is still ground moisture for re-growth and water in all the creeks and rivers to stop the fires traveling too far.
Effect of the Fire
The size and scope of the fire is almost beyond belief. The damage to the country and the effect on the cattle would make you fee ill. It's just cooked the country. Then there is time spent so far by Drysdale River and other personelle fighting the fire.
Broader Potential Consequences of this Fire
The bottom line is this fire has cost a fortune. If this keeps happening, the end result will be a ban on all camp fires and all free camp sites (where no caretaker is available to catch the fire before to late) will slowly be closed off. All the free camps are on land leased by someone, and yes, all lessees do have the right to stop people crossing and camping on their land if they chose to do so.
The other problem arising from this fire happening at this time of year, is that next April/May when firebreaks should be put in, there will be only one wet season of new fresh growth which will not carry an early fire. The patch burn firebreaks should be put in place soon after the wet season while there is still ground moisture for re-growth and water in all the creeks and rivers to stop the fires traveling too far.
