Bush Fire Bald Hills - 23/08/06

[xerubus]

At approximately 1345hrs, crews were turned out to the report of bush fire at Bald Hills. Upon arrival crews reported the area well alight, and further appliances were responded. Wyampa Rd incident control was established, and a fire spotter was deployed. Approximately 700 hectares were involved. Crews on scene were: 525a (Petrie pump), 527e (Deception Bay 4x4), 523a (Ferny Hills pump), 511a (Hendra pump), 528y (Caboolture 4x4), 529y (Bribie Island 4x4), 502y (Roma Street 4x4), 501t (FCU), 668 & 669 (Helitaks), BA2, BT1, BC2, and Brisbane City Council fire suppression units 201, 202, 203, 300 and 302.









http://www.firefighters.com.au/incident ... ls_024.jpg

http://www.firefighters.com.au/incident ... ls_094.jpg

http://www.firefighters.com.au/incident ... ls_057.jpg

http://www.firefighters.com.au/incident ... ls_087.jpg

Plenty more pictures can been seen in the gallery for this incident if you are interested: http://www.firefighters.com.au/incident ... hills.html

cheers

[rokkstar]

I really like 3 and 6 where you see through the heat haze to the fireman.

Brilliant stuff. Can I ask how it is you are allowed to hang out with these guys in such dangerous conditions? Are you a fireman yourself?

[xerubus]

thanks Matt...

No.. I'm not a firie.. my old man is. I'm a photographer for the QFRS, hence my access.

cheers

[JordanP]

Nice work Mark.

#6 is the stand out for me - but followed closely by the first 3 pics. Protraits through the heat hase really convey the message.

Cheers,

[Slider]

Well done Mark. Drove past while it was well ablaze and was surprised at how big an area had been affected

[xerubus]

cheers Craig .. appreciate it.

thanks Mark... yep.. was certainly huge.

cheers

[Justin]

that first one is fantastic. IMHO I'd crop the top and left out to bring the tree and firemen as stronger focal points, the eye is led to the left of the picture which is not where the action is.

#4 is really good - this sort of thing lends itself to B&W really well

[Reschsmooth]

Great work Mark. I also prefer 3 & 6.

I have sometimes had conflicted thoughts about capturing still or video images of people working in difficult and dangerous situations like this (as in the photographer/camera-person should either help or get out of the way), but then looking at your photos, they really show the effort these guys put in and the risks they take to effectively protect someone else's property (not always the case, I know). I hope this comment is taken in the right way as sometimes

Patrick

[PiroStitch]

The third one is a corker! At first I thought it was just the fire...then noticed the firie in it

Great PJ work as usual.

[xerubus]

thanks Patrick... i don't have to worry to much about the moral side of things as i work for them

cheers Piro... much appreciated. that shots was a bit warm

cheers

[SteveB]

Some great images Mark, lucky you didn't melt the camera. I like the one of the chopper and the third one.
I came through just before they closed the road and wanted to pull over except I had just been to Photocontinental and only had a new CF card and no camera, DAMN!

Regards
Steve B

[zafra52]

They are good! Did you take them yourself? I wouldn't have thought firefighters would be comfortable having a photographer nearby while they are risking life and limb. I guess if you took them yourself Mark you had special clearance.

[xerubus]

of course i took them myself.

i take photographs for the qfrs.. so i have a good working relationship with the boys.... plus the fact that my family is a firefighter family also.

cheers

[zafra52]

My apologies, I wasn’t sure if you found the website or were the photographer. They are all very good.