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Jan Thornley: Photo Essay

A Photo Essay Shipley Exposed – A Plateau transformed in the aftermath of fire

“On Thursday afternoon, 5th December 2002, news broke that a fire had ignited in Blackheath Glen in the Blue Mountains.

The fire ran uphill towards Shipley and Medlow Bath, posing an immediate threat to life and property. The reason for the fire is still unclear, but it was believed to have been started by the thoughtless disposal of a cigarette butt.

Fire behaviour was erratic and spread rapidly in an easterly direction and spotted over the Great Western Highway in just over an hour, threatening properties along Evans Lookout Road and the Northern Side of Medlow Bath. Within 5 hours it burnt out 1100 hectares and destroyed one house at Medlow Bath”.

From video-documentary by Rural Fire Service and National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Writers: Alexandra Simpson, Sandy Holmes and Wayne McPherson

By Jan Thornley

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