ACT Rural Fire Service

The ACT Rural Fire Service is a branch of the Australian Capital Territory Emergency Services Agency. It is responsible for the prevention, detection and extinguishment of all bushfires within the ACT, as well as assisting the other branches of ESA.

There are very few records regarding bushfires in the Australian Capital Territory (Limestone Plains) from the early 1800s to the first quarter of the twentieth century.

In January 1862 it was reported in the Queanbeyan Age and General Advertiser that large bush fires had raged around Queanbeyan. It is also reported in the Queanbeyan Age that during January 1875 bush fires occurred in all parts of Australia including the Limestone Plains.

In December 1903 two bush fire brigades were formed: the Limestone Plains Brigade and The "Majura Corps". From the Queanbeyan Age during January and February 1905, there are number of references to Canberra Bush Fires Prevention Committee, which was made up of land owners.

In 1906 a fire crossed the Murrumbidgee River about noon Sunday, 1 January at a spot known as Horseshoe Bend, and was stopped the same day behind Gungahlin Homestead. The fire travelled through Kilby's at the falls, the southern edge of the fire entering the Territory and travelled in an easterly direction. Heavy losses of fencing and stock resulted, buildings destroyed including outbuildings and Kilby's homestead, the old store at Ginninderra and odd buildings at Ginninderra Station.

Sometime after Limestone Plains Brigade and the "Majura Corps" formed the Weetangara Fire Brigade was also formed. Again the Queanbeyan Age from Tuesday 18 January 1910 reports "The Weetangara Fire Brigade burnt several firebreaks around the various holdings before Christmas. Mr. Crace kindly lent his fire-fighter for the purpose."

On 28 October 1915, the Federal Territory Bush Fire Association was formed. The purpose of the Association was "the organised assistance of all concerned, and the co-ordination of effort in (a) the prevention of bush or grass fires in the territory and adjoining country; (b) the adoption of necessary measures for combating any outbreak of bush or grass fire in the territory and the adjoining country."

On 8 November 1927 the Lands Department of the Federal Capital Commission set up the Bush Fire Organisation to deal with bushfires for the upcoming summer. For the first time the organization would supply Fire fighting equipment such as water carts, fire beaters and rakes as well as establishing depots for fire-fighting appliances at the homes or camps of certain rangers in Canberra. On Monday 14 November 1927 the Bush Fire Control Organization had its inaugural meeting. The Chief Fire Controller was Mr M. R. Jacobs (Chief Forester). The organization set up fire depots at MacDonald's Camp near Weetangera, Weavers' Property near Stromlo, Maxwells' Property at The Rivers, Gregorys' Property at Kambah and Horans' Property near the Yarralumla. The equipment at these depots included fire carts, beaters, rakes & axes, with horses for the fire carts being supplied by various Rural Lessees.

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