A large smoke plume above Surf Beach tip on Tuesday afternoon raised health concerns. Photo: ESC
The Surf Beach Waste Management Facility near Batemans Bay has been reopened ahead of the weekend following Wednesday’s fire.
Eurobodalla Shire Council advises that the tip is now fully operational and that fire services have been stood down.
Shire Waste Manager, Adam Patyus says he is grateful for the efforts of the Rural Fire Service, NSW Fire and Rescue and their HAZMAT team, Council support staff and the Environment Protection Authority for their immediate attention and swift response.
No one was injured in the blaze, which started at around 2 pm on the tip face and spread to a metal pile, where it was quickly contained by emergency crews.
RFS crews from Batemans Bay, Surf Beach, and Malua Bay worked with Fire and Rescue NSW personnel from Batemans Bay, Nowra, and Braidwood as well as two helicopter water bombers to bring the fire under control on Wednesday.
“Everyone involved has done a fantastic job containing and extinguishing the fire,” Mr Patyus says.
An excavator opens up waste material allowing firefighters to extinguish the flames. Photo: ESC
Following the immediate emergency, the burnt area was opened up so that water could penetrate the deeper layers of waste material that were fueling the flames.
“The cause of the fire is not confirmed but RFS have told us they expect it was ash waste from a home wood heater,” he says.
“This has happened before and we’re encouraging residents to please make sure any wood fire ash is completely cold before adding it to the tip site.
“Smoke around the area has mostly cleared now and was not toxic, confirmed by Hazmat overnight.”
RFS crews from Batemans Bay, Surf Beach, and Malua Bay worked with Fire and Rescue NSW personnel from Batemans Bay, Nowra, and Braidwood as well as two helicopter water bombers. Photo: ESC
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