As the sun rose last Wednesday morning, fire wreaked havoc west of Ulladulla and a nightmare dawned on residents as they were evacuated from their homes.
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By mid-morning, an emergency warning had been declared on the Kingiman fire, which was fanned by strong westerly winds and devastating drought conditions – creating the perfect storm for fire crews.
Homes in Kings Point, Burrill Lake, Woodburn and Morton were evacuated as the fire intensified and smoke blanketed the area.
More than 300 firefighters were on the ground by lunchtime, working hard to protect homes as spot fires started six kilometres from the firefront.
On Thursday, we were still not out of the danger zone, with the fire continuing to threaten properties.
By Friday, firefighters began to contain the fire and it was downgraded to advice level.
The scene at the command post set up at the RFS shed on Croobyar Road, Milton was still busy as fire crews came in to fill up their water tanks, grab a bight to eat and be tasked with their next mission.
Just as the threat began to ease, the devastating news we had lost a water bombing helicopter pilot, Allan Tull, shook the community.
As the emergency service community and Milton-Ulladulla residents mourned the loss of a hero, the fire was again fanned by strong winds on Saturday, upgraded to an emergency warning and homes were evacuated.
Firefighters gained the upper hand on Saturday night.
About 100 firefighters, both volunteer and paid, continued to fight the blaze and helicopters took to the sky again to dump 1000 litres of water on the fire at a time to slow it down.
The fire, which started in the Morton National Park on Saturday, August 18, has now burnt more than 2240 hectares of land.
Although no homes were lost, 15 sheds were destroyed and five were damaged.
National Parks and Wildlife firefigthers, NSW Ambulance paramedics, State Emergency Services volunteers, Rural Fire Service volunteers, Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters and Police all worked together from the command centre.
Out of area crews, as well as local brigades, were brought in to get the fire under control.
While the Kingiman blaze flared, a fire at Bomaderry saw the Princes Highway closed and a number of schools evacuated as homes were threatened and the fire burnt out of control.
Emergency services were also tasked to an out of control fire at Bemboka on the Far South Coast, and to Port Stephens as more than 70 fires burnt across the state.
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Emily Barton
Emily Barton is a Producer at The Canberra Times.
Emily Barton is a Producer at The Canberra Times.
