Fire Crew
The Upper Yango Bush Fire Crew
Battling the blazes in 2019
With the experience of Little L and Gospers Mtn fires behind them, the community agreed that they needed to take a more strategic approach to protecting and defending both the built assets and the ecology. A key initiative has been the formation of an auxiliary team of firefighters.
Standing united against adversity
Having ignited from a lightning strike northwest of the Finchley Trig, Little L crossed the Finchley Track at Cagneys Road on Tuesday, 3rd December, crowning through the trees with devastating impact and beginning the descent into the Upper Yango Valley.
By the following afternoon, the fire had spread east and was on the slopes surrounding the house and studio at Wombat Gully. By early evening, with no assurance RFS crews could be dispatched to assist, those in the community who had stayed to help defend the properties rallied with farm tankers and equipment to defend The Bush House. It was a historic moment for the valley community, marking the foundation of what has become The Upper Yango Bush Fire Crew. Over the next 4 days, those able and willing to stay and defend, worked side by side with our local Laguna Brigade and crews from near and far, including New Zealand.
In the aftermath, and with the benefit of their recent experience, the community at Upper Yango agreed that in such emergencies, a cohesive and coordinated community crew was potentially the most valuable asset.
The Upper Yango Bush Fire Crew was born.
Little L arrives, 4th December 2019
An auxiliary crew does not come under the jurisdiction of the Rural Fire Service or any government body, but operates in cooperation with the local brigade as an independent community fire crew.
With the formation of the UYLA and the successful BLERF grant application, the community has invested in new leaf blowers and their own branded Upper Yango Bush Fire Crew PPE.
As well as defending properties from future fire threats, UYLA’s Fire Crew has been working collectively to mitigate future bushfire impact in the valley.
Auxiliary Community Fire Crew
Personal Protection Equipment
Along with equipment, Upper Yango has invested in branded firefighting jackets, gloves, goggles and helmets for every property.
As well as providing protection for crew members on a fire ground, the yellow jackets also increase visibility, especially in smoke and dense undergrowth.
When working alongside RFS crews in a bushfire situation, the branding allows others to easily identify members of a community crew, similar to the media.
Even more importantly is the sense of belonging and authority that comes with the yellow jacket.
Cool Burns undertaken in 2023 by the Upper Yango Bush Fire Crew
