The NSW coroner has heard evidence of two lightning bolts that were probably responsible for the largest forest fire in Australia and a delay in the subsequent burning that could have stopped it.
Key points:
- NSW coroner to hear evidence on cause and cause of Gospers Mountain and Mount Wilsons wildfires for two weeks
- The court learned that a fire had been planned for the Gospers Mountain fire, but it was delayed due to concern from hikers.
- The “mega-fire” burned for 15 weeks and is one of the largest recorded forest fires in the world.
The NSW Forest Fire Coronal Investigation will spend the next two weeks examining the cause and origin of the Gospers Mountain and Grose Valley fires at the local Katoomba court.
The Gospers Mountain fire started on October 26 in Wollemi National Park and destroyed 147 homes as it burned for 15 weeks during the 2019-20 fire season.
Although no lives were lost, the coroner on Wednesday learned that there were a number of terrible incidents that resulted in serious injuries when the fire unexpectedly affected municipalities.
Cloud glides over Gospers Mountain forest fire near Sydney on 19 November 2019. (Supplied)
Planned back burn was delayed
Assistant Attorney Adam Casselden told the investigation that a planned subsequent burn off Wilson’s Road near Lithgow was delayed by 17 hours in December 2019.
The court learned that a car had been found on the line of fire and that two walkers were later located.
The delay meant less favorable weather conditions when the fire started and as a result, the fire detected more unburned areas, ran through several municipalities in the Blue Mountains area and destroyed many homes.
Casselden said this was a cause for concern among members of the community affected by the fire, but made it clear that the hearing would focus exclusively on the cause and origin of the forest fire.
“The court is aware of the community’s concern about the progress of these fires, the burning decisions, and the issues related to communicating with local communities,” Casselden said.
“Representative case studies will address these issues at the September hearings,” he said.
Lightning could have fallen twice
The coroner also learned that the cause of the Gospers Mountain fire was probably lightning in a remote part of Wollemi National Park, listed as a World Heritage Site.
Rural Fire Service researcher Peter Jones told the investigation that he believed there were two trees that were struck by lightning on October 26, 2019.
The flames were then fueled by “unprecedented fire conditions,” including a warm, dry, windy climate.
The coroner learned that in addition to the Meteorological Bureau’s dangerous weather forecasts, the fire had been regularly creating its own weather systems, making it impossible to control.
The consultation continues.
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Posted 2 hours, 2 hours ago, Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at 7:13 AM, last updated 2 hours, 2 hours ago, Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at 7:46 AM