Bibbulmun Track Fires

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Bibbulmun Track Fires

Postby Esperancelad » Thu 05 Feb, 2015 1:59 pm

Does anyone have any information relating to the state of the Bibbulmun Track? There are 3 bush fires burning on it at the moment, and the Bibb website states that it is closed in 3 sections.

The Northcliffe - Walpole fire has burnt through 85 000 hectares of bush and forest and remains out of control. It will obviously have a huge impact on the track. Also hoping residents of these great little towns /communities along the track manage to get through without damage to properties.
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Re: Bibbulmun Track Fires

Postby Esperancelad » Thu 05 Feb, 2015 2:03 pm

The other fires are reportedly around the Murray river between Dwellingup and Collie, and Mt Dale in the vicinity of Boddington. Respect to all the fireys out there fighting these fires!
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Re: Bibbulmun Track Fires

Postby Burnsy » Thu 05 Feb, 2015 2:06 pm

You can find out which sections are closed here, look for recreational heading within the alerts

http://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/alerts/Pages/default.aspx
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Re: Bibbulmun Track Fires

Postby Aushiker » Thu 05 Feb, 2015 3:29 pm

From Explore Parks WA Facebook page ...

Summary of bush fire related trail closures

Cape to Cape Track
Major recreation sites in the Leeuwin-Naturalist National Park are closed due to bushfire activity, including the Cape to Cape Track.

Bibbulmun Track
Helena National Park - between Randall Road and Dale Road.
Dwellingup/Collie - between Dwellingup and Harris Dam Road.
Pemberton to Walpole, including Northcliffe.

Munda Biddi Trail
Dwellingup/Collie – between Dwellingup and Wallis Form (spur trail to Collie).
Pemberton to Walpole, including Northcliffe.


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Re: Bibbulmun Track Fires

Postby Aushiker » Thu 05 Feb, 2015 3:53 pm

Full list by the looks of park closures here.

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Re: Bibbulmun Track Fires

Postby Redtail » Thu 05 Feb, 2015 5:31 pm

This just came in from the foundation. Dear Friend of the Bibbulmun Track ...

As you will have heard, several bushfires are currently burning in the south west in the vicinity of the Track. Despite the amazing efforts of the fire fighters including volunteers, Parks and Wildlife staff and DFES fire fighters, we understand that a number of Bibbulmun Track campsites and a significant amount of infrastructure has been affected by the fires.

I would like to assure all our members that the Foundation will work tirelessly to support Parks and Wildlife in getting the Bibbulmun Track back in working order in the future. We will need everyone to pull together to help get the Track open again and up to the world class standard we expect. We may be calling upon our members and volunteers to help in this regard. These fires are not yet under control so more damage is likely.

Local businesses along the Track will need walkers to visit to help in the rebuilding, your business will be vital to their survival.

The Foundation is in the process of talking to those international visitors that have advised us of their intent to walk this season to advise them of the possible changes to the Track. If you are considering doing an end-to-end in 2015 you will need to put your plans on hold for the moment.

In the meantime, it is imperative that people do not head out onto the Track on any section and if they are out on the Track that they leave as soon as they are able. These fires remain unpredictable and the sections of Track which are currently open may close at any time. Fire and emergency services are stretched to the limit and we do not wish to increase their burden if any other emergency situations arise.

Our thoughts and best wishes are with the fire fighters and the people who live in the regions affected by these unprecedented blazes.

See more detail below.

Regards

Mike Wood, Chairman, and the BTF team

Closed Track Sections

Currently the following sections are closed and there are no diversions or alternative routes:

• A bushfire in the Helena National Park near the Brookton Hwy has closed the Track from Dale Rd through to Randall Rd. This includes Mt Dale, Brookton and Canning Campsites and they are therefore also closed.

• Two bushfires burning out of control between Dwellingup and Collie have severely affected the Track. The Track is closed between these towns.

• The Northcliffe fire has forced the closure of the Track from Pemberton to Walpole.

Campsites Closed

The corresponding campsites which are currently CLOSED due to bushfire activity are:

Helena National Park - Mt Dale, Brookton and Canning.

Dwellingup / Lower Hotham / Collie - Swamp Oak, Murray, Dookanelly, Possum Springs, Yourdamung and Harris Dam.

Pemberton / Northcliffe / Walpole - Warren, Schafer, Gardner, Lake Maringup, Dog Pool, Mt Chance, Woolbales, Long Point and Mt Clare.

Stay Updated

For up to date information about the Track visit the Realignments/Diversions tab in the relevant Section By Section Guide on our website.

For more information on fire behaviour, impacts on lives and property visit the DFES website.
Last edited by Redtail on Fri 06 Feb, 2015 10:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Bibbulmun Track Fires

Postby Aushiker » Thu 05 Feb, 2015 10:34 pm

Image

Long Gully Bridge gone :(

The Lower Hotham fire has claimed an historic victim by burning an important crossing on the Bibbulmun Track - the historic Long Gully Bridge.

Considered an outstanding example of an early rail trestle bridge, the 128 metre long bridge was a great example of the technical design skill of the Western Australian Government Railways. The bridge was built for the WA Government Railways in 1949. The rail network was integral for the timber industry from the Serpentine-Jarrahdale area to Dwellingup region. When the Dwellingup Mill was burned down in 1961, the track ceased operation. The Bridge met sections of land that rise steeply above Murray River valleys and it provided the only viable crossing point for walkers on the Bibbulmun Track.

Once the dust and ash settles we will investigate how we can create a new crossing for walkers.


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Re: Bibbulmun Track Fires

Postby Esperancelad » Thu 05 Feb, 2015 11:05 pm

Cheers for all the info so far, especially Andrew with his photo of what was Long Gully Bridge. I also got the Bibbulmun update shortly after I made this post. Its all pretty gut wrenching to think what has already been lost. Hopefully theres something I can do to help when it comes time to rebuild.
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Re: Bibbulmun Track Fires

Postby Burnsy » Thu 05 Feb, 2015 11:23 pm

Very sad news about Long Valley Bridge, very happy that my girls got to experience it last November before it was lost.
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Re: Bibbulmun Track Fires

Postby Redtail » Fri 06 Feb, 2015 10:16 am

More photos (via Facebook) of before and after the complete razing of Long Gully Bridge

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.760098524080345.1073741868.156389534451250&type=1

Oops - same link as Aushiker. [Can't delete my post]
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Re: Bibbulmun Track Fires

Postby earthgrace » Fri 06 Feb, 2015 11:48 am

Wow. So much lost. This is huge. Well-wishes to all those affected.
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Re: Bibbulmun Track Fires

Postby Redtail » Tue 23 Jun, 2015 1:49 pm

Good news! This is the latest info from the Foundation ...

"For the first time since February, as of June 19, an End-to-End is possible!"

All the info is here: https://www.bibbulmuntrack.org.au/news/latest/bushfires-close-track
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Re: Bibbulmun Track Fires

Postby Fr3d » Wed 15 Jul, 2015 3:47 pm

Heading off tomorrow for my first solo trip. Heading from Brookton Hwy to Kalamunda. Looking forward to it :)
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Re: Bibbulmun Track Fires

Postby Redtail » Wed 15 Jul, 2015 4:59 pm

Good stuff!

Should be near perfect weather. A bit of rain about will keep the dust down, and there's plenty of colour about at the moment. Enjoy!
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