Recognising the anniversary of the 2015 Wye River bushfire

 

Today, 19 December, marks 10 years since the devastating fires in Wye River.

 

The Wye River bushfire, also known as the Jamieson Track fire, struck Victoria's Great Ocean Road region during the 2015-16 fire season.

It began on 19 December when lightning sparked two bushfires in the Otway Ranges. Over the following weeks, the fire burned approximately 2,500 hectares.

The fire's rapid spread was fuelled by dry conditions and strong winds, making it one of the most intense bushfires in the area in decades.

Early on Christmas Day, the fire escalated dramatically under these extreme conditions, jumping containment lines and moving towards the coast impacting the townships of Wye River and Separation Creek.

Cooler conditions and overnight rainfall slowed the fire on the morning of 26 December, however the steep and heavily vegetated terrain continued to burn for several weeks.

Thousands of firefighters and aircraft were deployed to the fire, including CFA, DELWP (now DEECA) and interstate support.

The fire was eventually contained on 21 January 2016 after 34 days of relentless efforts by firefighters and emergency crews.

Despite the extensive damage, there were no fatalities, thanks to timely evacuations and the efforts of emergency services. However, more than 100 homes in Wye River and Separation Creek were lost.

While we are grateful that there were no fatalities, the impact of the fire on residents, businesses and the environment was profound. The aftermath saw significant rebuilding efforts, with government grants and community support helping affected residents recover.

Today’s anniversary, like all our major fire milestones, is an important reminder of the challenges of managing fires in complex landscapes. It highlights both the power of nature and the need for resilience and preparedness in the face of disaster. The Wye River fire showed us that catastrophic events are no longer rare, once-in-a-generation events.

Today, we pause to reflect on the lessons learned - the value of community preparedness, wellbeing support, fuel management, improved building standards and effective warnings. These lessons continue to shape how we plan for, communicate about, and respond to fires and other emergencies.

Thank you to our members for strengthening community readiness and helping deliver safer outcomes throughout each fire season.

Watch: Wye River Captain Andrew Hack reflects on the 10-year anniversary

Anniversaries such as this one can be challenging for some members. If you need support, our Wellbeing Support Line is available free of charge whenever you need it. Call 1800 959 232 to access a range of services including Member Assistance, Peer Support and our Chaplaincy Program. Other external support services available include Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 and Lifeline on 13 11 14.

 

Submitted by	CEO Greg Leach AFSM and Chief Officer Jason Heffernan