Tarra-Bulga National Park
3 Apr 09
The bushfire that began in Glendonald Road Churchill on Saturday 7th February at around 2.00 pm travelled in a south easterly direction towards Tarra Valley and burnt towards the Tarra-Bulga National Park. Parks Victoria staff and Victoria Police evacuated the Park and spoke to residents of Balook. Martin & Brenda Klop chose to stay and defend their house at Balook and down the road towards the Tarra Valley road David Pattison and Mark McDonald stayed to defend the Pattison's home and the Iona property. The fire reached the Grand Ridge Road some time between 3.30 and 4.00 and at this time it was believed that spot overs reached Devon North, starting fires there which led to the loss of two or three houses, however we now believe that this fire was separately lit, probably deliberately. Spot overs ahead of the main fire caused fire to burn in the Pattisons paddocks behind the house and then the main fire reached the area in front of the house. David and Mark successfully defended the two properties and are both OK. At around 5.00pm the south west change began to influence the fire and push it back towards Mount Tassie and Callignee. The main fire front crossed the Grand Ridge Road into the park between Iona and Balook and burnt about 50 meters up to the top of the ridge and died out. Several spot fires have occurred in the park but none of them have spread very far. The largest is on Gardiners Track (about one hectare) at the point of our photo-monitoring site. There are also spots on Wild Cherry Track, Diaper track and near Bulga Park on the Grand Ridge Road. A large spot fire ( or possibly part of the main fire) burnt below Cedric's and came back up with the wind change to the school camp where, unfortunately, it has destroyed the two dormitory buildings, but the toilet block and main rec hall/kitchen are OK. The Klops are fine and no houses were lost in Balook; also the Guest House and Visitor Centre were untouched although the fire has burnt the bush behind the Visitor Centre and come close to it and the toilet block. Timber and posts that we had stored at the depot were destroyed and a 6 X 4 trailer burnt. All in all Balook and the Tarra-Bulga National Park suffered minimal damage from this terrible event and many people have expressed to me how grateful they are that this wonderful park is still there, now more than ever a refuge and haven from all the black and burnt out areas around. I have shown some of the South Australian contingent who are here helping out, the Park and they have enthused over it and promised to make sure it is protected as we continue to put out spot fires and black out around the place.
Thankyou to all for your concern and well wishes.
Regards.
Craig Campbell
Ranger
Parks Victoria