MAMBO Wetlands once again burned last week.

The wetland poses a significant challenge to the Rural Fire Service (RFS) as access to the fire front is not always available due to the water logged nature of the area.

Advertise with News of The Area today.
It’s worth it for your business.
Message us.
Phone us – (02) 4981 8882.
Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au

RFS units came from far and wide to protect property and to stop the fire from spreading.

When News Of The Area caught up with units from the RFS in Mariner Crescent, Salamander Bay there were RFS units from as far afield as Lochinvar, Bolwarra-Largs and Thornton all making sure that properties were safe.

In all, 20 fire trucks responded to the blaze.

Ian from Anna Bay Rural Fire Service told News Of The Area, “When we first arrived the fire was quite bad, but now that the water bomber is here it is settling it down quite a lot.”

Ian explained that because the wetlands are on sand, as soon as the area receives westerly winds or big north easterlies, the wetland dries out very quickly.

“Even with the swamp, the fire burns up above the water level, there is so much fuel around after the rains there has been a lot of growth.”

The fire crews were on asset protection “just in case”.

The last fire in Mambo was on the other side of the wetland, so the area which was on fire last week hasn’t been on fire for many years.

One koala is now in care at the Port Stephens Koala Hospital in the aftermath of the fire.

Christened ‘Kyrie’, the injured koala was rescued from the fire at Mambo Wetlands and is undergoing medical care for a fractured foot.

By Marian SAMPSON