Fire Bombing

[Zone-5]

Do it anyway in the hope word gets though quick smart.
Like an unactivated PLB is going to be much use to you afterwards if you're toast!

[north-north-west]

Do the helicopters always monitor the 121mhz distress frequency?

Then one could just set it off if they start burning near you.

I don't know, but it's the only way a PLB would have been effective in the situation in which I found myself. Add to that the fact that remote low-lying areas (such as most of the heath and sedgelands of the west and south west) often do not have mobile reception, short of attracting the attention of the flight crew - which is apparently harder than we realise - you're limited in what you can do.

What happened to me was compounded by a few unfortunate factors:
lack of a PLB due to the Eldon incident
lack of a camera with flash due to the Douglas Creek incident
lack of mobile signal due to location
sheer *&%$#! bad luck due to life being like that from time to time

Come to think of it, Parks did make one other big mistake that would have trapped anyone: the fluid nature of the burn schedules. Presumably their new procedures will have addressed that, but the old website list was highly inaccurate in regard to locations and times of the Tarkine burns. The possibility of that is something we all have to bear in mind.
Which is fair enough to some extent. You can't stick to a hard and fast schedule when you're dealing with variables like Tasmanian weather. If there's a window and the crew are available, you have to take advantage of it. But you also have to make sure that the public are aware of that. Make it plain that both areas and dates can be altered on short notice.

[Gadgetgeek]

They may or may not monitor it, depending on how much helmet chatter is going on, or if its interfering, I'd bet its the first one to get turned off. I think that the way that is written they are using Lee's response (which I think was far too nice) as an endorsement of their new plan, where I think its totally bogus. 24 hour notice is no good for someone in the bush, looking for cars isn't valuable to those who might get dropped off. And track postings won't matter if they are not "aware" of any trails. lamest excuse ever. I feel really bad for the pilot since he knows that he nearly killed someone due to a screw-up. heli-burns should be well covered for wide areas, with entire zones closed off. Not just one little spot.

[Zone-5]

I do sympathise with NNW as she obviously did not have time to unpack her kit to activate the PLB. So I agree it's better to seize the opportunity to get out quick smart while there was still time than waste it with distress signals.

[icefest]

I do sympathise with NNW as she obviously did not have time to unpack her kit to activate the PLB. So I agree it's better to seize the opportunity to get out quick smart while there was still time than waste it with distress signals.

Literally two post earlier:

What happened to me was compounded by a few unfortunate factors:
lack of a PLB due to the Eldon incident

[Zone-5]

Ah yes, I missed that...

[Lophophaps]

Gadgetgeek has raised valid points. Some solutions may be:

1 PWS or the agency involved has preliminary plans set as far in advance is possible with the place specific but the timing variable. This may take the form “Black stump region, intended to have a burn in late September to early October, in the region bounded by Black Creek, Black Stump Road and the Black Stump Ridge.” If this is available online then people going there can check later

Two weeks ahead the PWS can advise “The Black Stump burn will probably take place between 23 September and 6 September. The only reason that the burn will no take place is because of poor weather.” Then four days before there can be a more certain notice that the Black Stump burn is highly likely to commence on 24 September.”

2 Whilst people may be dropped off or may approach from unusual places, SOP should be that car parks must be checked.

3 SOP should also include posting signs at trail heads similar to point 1 above.

4 Let peak bodies know, and post on websites such as this. Once the setup is done it’s easy to do.

[north-north-west]

1 PWS or the agency involved has preliminary plans set as far in advance is possible with the place specific but the timing variable. This may take the form “Black stump region, intended to have a burn in late September to early October, in the region bounded by Black Creek, Black Stump Road and the Black Stump Ridge.” If this is available online then people going there can check later

Two weeks ahead the PWS can advise “The Black Stump burn will probably take place between 23 September and 6 September. The only reason that the burn will no take place is because of poor weather.” Then four days before there can be a more certain notice that the Black Stump burn is highly likely to commence on 24 September.”

2 Whilst people may be dropped off or may approach from unusual places, SOP should be that car parks must be checked.

3 SOP should also include posting signs at trail heads similar to point 1 above.

4 Let peak bodies know, and post on websites such as this. Once the setup is done it’s easy to do.

This is basically the procedure I envisage. It's the best way to cover as many of the issues as possible.

[Gadgetgeek]

The downside to some might be that larger areas might get closed, but if it reduces the risk to people, I think its worth it. A compromise might be that burn windows have to be booked a certain amount of time in advance, with a clear window after, so lets say you know that a burn is possible this week, but monday will be safe if burns have not started. But you would also be able to check right up until a certain time when the window was closed, and if the fire had been started, you would know to stay away for however long was needed. As long as they realize that while we need constantly updated information, the other truth is that it would easily be possible for someone to have been away from civilized contact for a week or more. It would also help those who need to make longer plans, since if you know that a burn might be on during your planned trip time, you can plan for another area.

The fact that there has not been an incident until now has more to do with luck than procedure, something I don't think Mr. Bryce understands.
I can understand that they want to do all of it by air, but I feel that a certain level of ground support should be in the area, there is a lot that cannot be seen from the air, and a ground team would be able to raise an alert much quicker if needed. or provide assistance.

An alternative would a system by which you register that you are in an area, which would prevent them from burning, but it would be open to abuse, protestors would simply claim the area was occupied, preventing the work from happening.

[north-north-west]

... the other truth is that it would easily be possible for someone to have been away from civilized contact for a week or more...

OK, there's one other contributory factor in my case. I'd left home something like ten days earlier.

[Lophophaps]

Gadgetgeek, yes, have grounnd support. However, some places do not lend themselves to easy ground support. It may not matter unduly. If all the above and probably other strategies are followed as a matter of course you will never totally eliminate a person being caught in a planned burn. All that is happening is that the odds are being reduced. The people that will register are those more likely to be more aware of the issues, and hence registration may be doubling up to some extent.

OK, there's one other contributory factor in my case. I'd left home something like ten days earlier.

If the PWS website was set up as I described above in point 1, then leaving ten days ahead is not going to make much difference. With even a possble burn at about the same time as it is intended to visit Black Stump, the knowledge of this should lead to moving the date or location of the trip.