A significant grass fire broke out on Bumbalong Road in Colinton, yesterday afternoon, March 19, 2025. At approximately 3:00 pm, the blaze erupted, rapidly spreading through grasslands and scattered timber, covering a vast area of 247 hectares. The New South Wales Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS), alongside multiple agencies, effectively contained the fire by 9:30 pm, six and half hours after arrival.
PHOTO: Even in less threatening conditions, African lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) can ignite quickly CREDIT: NSW RFS
Inspector Langdon Gould of the Snowy Monaro District RFS remarked, “The fire has been contained. We still have a significant amount of blacking out to do before we can move into controlled status.” At the peak of the fire, 32 firefighting appliances were engaged, including support from Fire Rescue New South Wales, Cooma RFS, as well as strike teams from Lake George RFS, and the Australian Capital Territory RFS.
Two properties were under severe threat from the blaze. Prompt action by local contractors prevented further damage.
Jennings Civil Group, using heavy machinery to create an earth line around the first house, successfully shielded it prior to the arrival of firefighting crews. Inspector Gould noted their crucial contribution during the initial moments of the fire’s outbreak.
“We would like to thank the crew from the Jennings Civil Group who were working on a civil job down the road on the Bumbalong Creek Bridge when they saw the fire and engaged them selves using their grader and bulk water carrier. They went to the house as it was directly under threat,” Inspector Gould said.
PHOTO: African lovegrass is highly flammable and presents a constant threat to land holders, and emergency services CREDIT: NSW RFS
“The second house, came under threat shortly after and RFS crews managed to pull the fire up at the edge of the house.”
The RFS dispatched an extensive range of resources, including graders, dozers, excavators, and bulk water carriers, aided by Helitak 206 from Polo Flat Air Base for aerial support. The cause of the fire remains undetermined, with investigations currently underway.
PHOTO: Helitak 206 just visible through the smoke haze CREDIT: NSW RFS
Fire crew efforts continue with mopping up and blacking out operations, aiming to quench all remaining hot spots. Inspector Gould issued a warning highlighting the fire’s rapid spread in benign weather, emphasising the ongoing fire risk.
Inspector Gould warned, “The way the fire behaved yesterday, running quickly in African lovegrass, is a warning to our community that even though the fire weather yesterday was very benign, this fire spread very rapidly and was difficult to control, even with low wind.”
Crews will now maintain patrols for several days to ensure complete extinction of the fire.
It was indeed an excellent effort with admirable leadership by Colinton brigade Captain Tony Campbell and his deputy captain Lawrence Koenig.