Well done Smokespotters

Below are some of the expressions of appreciation for the work of the Smokespotters group during the recent fire in the southern part of the Helidon Hills.

It is important to remember that the Smokespotters group is far more than the two Coordinators.  There are Smokespotters ready to take bearings on smoke at 20 locations in and around the Hills (soon to be 21, we recruited a new Smokespotter  as a result of the fire), and some who regularly travel on roads with a good view of the Hills.  Without people watching for smoke and reporting bearings the group could not function.

In the interests of transparency and full disclosure I have to tell you that some of these come from Smokespotters who live in the Hills - not surprising, since the motivation to become a Smokespotter sometimes comes partly from wanting to know when there is a fire that may threaten ones own property.

Here are the messages, some of them edited for brevity or because they were part of more personal communications:

Just a brief note to say thanks to the Smokespotters group. This group has quickly become an important element in the life of people living in the forests of the Helidon Hills region.  They provide a focal point for enquiries about fire matters, early warning of outbreaks, a co-ordination of activities and of course training of their members.

The  members live in the region, and know the local conditions.... The Smokespotters Group ... need the support and backing of all concerned with fire protection in this area, particularly local and regional authorities.

A wonderful effort by the group during the recent late October fires was an admirable demonstration of their capacities, and validation of the need for such an organisation.

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Very much appreciate your efforts with all your concise information sharing.

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Very big congratulations to you all you smokespotters for your response, great teamwork and communication.  It was a huge help to know what was happening under that horrific cloud of smoke in the Helidon Hills

The reports kept us up to date with and meant we could be ready to support without blindly trying to find out what was happening nor wandering around trying to help.

The maps, details of burns and firefighters and the sectioning off to reports for the different areas was terrific -

Awesome organisation and community over there

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We co-own a property in the Helidon Hills off Seventeen Mile Road not far from Wallers Road, with a hut and a large shed on a cleared high section of land, but we do not reside there. The purpose of the land is to it return to the wildlife and have flora and fauna restored and protected. Adjoining the Lockyer National Park, our property known as Gattonview Nature Refuge provides a corridor for wild life, some of which are  vulnerable species including Koala, Glossy Black- Cockatoo, and Koala Fern.

As a result, we in Gatton, are always very concerned when we see smoke appearing

on the skyline above Helidon Hills.

We recently found out about Helidon Smokespotters Group ... who kept us well informed on the progress of the fire during this present distressing event. Although there was nothing we could do to save the bushland, we knew the Firefighters  were back burning around the buildings and that was reassuring.

We totally support the work.

   

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Thanks to you and all of your smoke-spotting colleagues for providing such a marvellous and potentially life saving service.

In speaking to RFB/QPWS members during the current Helidon Hills fires, they are extremely impressed at being provided with accurate location and timely information about fire outbreaks.

The additional benefit of emails about Fire Authority strategies and outcomes, almost as they occur, is of great assistance to those of us who are landholders/residents of the Helidon Hills.

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We would like to express our support and gratification to the coordinators and participants of the organization known throughout the community as “The Helidon Hills Smokespotters Group”.

Just recently, we (at our home and property) were made aware of a fire, undetected by us, close to our boundary.  The Smokespotter Coordinator was able to notify us of the situation and it was readily attended to by the Rural Fire Service volunteers and QPWS.

... we would request / recommend that this organization be supported in whatever means possible. Its continued and effective operation will be of immense benefit to the community as a whole.

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Thanks for your comprehensive fire reports, they couldn’t be better ....

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Thanks for the info .... it has been good to be able to answer people when they ask why all the smoke down here, and to put their minds at ease, as some of the days its been as bad as standing on the fire line.