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Bushfires inquiry: no hazard reduction at Lithgow defence site for 20 years Bushfires inquiry: no hazard reduction at Lithgow defence site for 20 years
(about 5 hours later)
A defence training area where a large Blue Mountains bushfire started had not seen any hazard reduction work in decades, an inquiry into the fire has heard. A defence training ground where a huge Blue Mountains bushfire started was filled with unexploded bombs and recommendations to have it backburned were ignored, an inquiry has heard.
The commission of inquiry is looking into the circumstances surrounding a fire at Marrangaroo training area in Lithgow on 16 October. A commission of inquiry is looking into the circumstances surrounding a fire at Marrangaroo Training Area in Lithgow on 16 October.
Senior counsel assisting the inquiry, Lieutenant Colonel David Jordan, told the hearing on Monday that a report by consultants GHD in 2011 found the area was at risk of a bushfire. Senior counsel assisting the inquiry, Lt Colonel David Jordan, told the hearing on Monday that a report by consultants GHD in 2011 found the area was at risk of a bushfire.
Hazard reduction had not been done at the site for 20 years, the inquiry heard. Hazard reduction had not taken place at the site for almost 20 years despite a Rural Fire Service (RFS) recommendation two years earlier to have it done, the inquiry heard.
A New South Wales Rural Fire Service investigation was satisfied that a training exercise caused the enormous fire, which became known as the State Mine fire. The fire, which was caused by a botched explosive ordnance training exercise at the site, was also a danger to defence force members on that day.
Defence has apologised for sparking the fire. Defence force personnel tried to put the blaze out with shovels and some were almost hit by shrapnel from explosives.
The inquiry will investigate whether the fire caused injury to anyone at the training area, whether it damaged property, and the qualifications and experience of the defence people involved in fighting the fire. "This was not exactly a safe method of operation," Lt Colonel Jordan said.
"There was a lot of unexploded ordnance.
"It became exploded as the fire passed through."
The unexploded ordnance made it too dangerous for firefighters to get close to the blaze.
The inquiry also heard that detonations were banned when there was a "very high" fire rating and on that particular day it was "high" in Lithgow.
But a "very high" rating was in place in the greater Sydney area, including the nearby Blue Mountains.
A RFS investigation was satisfied that a training exercise caused the enormous fire, which became known as the State Mine fire.
The defence force has apologised for sparking the fire.
The inquiry will investigate whether the fire caused injury to any person at the training area, whether it damaged property and the qualifications and experience of the defence force members involved in fighting the fire.
It will also look at whether any of their actions were affected by drugs or alcohol, and the appropriateness of the training area.It will also look at whether any of their actions were affected by drugs or alcohol, and the appropriateness of the training area.
The fire burned through 50,000 hectares and destroyed at least three homes in the Lithgow area. The fire burnt through 50,000 hectares and destroyed five homes in the Lithgow area.
Retired judge John O'Meally is overseeing the inquiry in Sydney. The inquiry before former Sydney judge John O'Meally continues.
The hearing continues.
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