2 days ago
Coronial inquiry into Orroral Valley bushfire finds helicopter crew made 'error of judgement' after accidentally sparking blaze
ACT Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker has handed down findings from the coronial inquiry into the 2020 Orroral Valley bushfire, finding the helicopter crew's failure to notify the authorities of the fire was an "error of judgement".
The fire was started on January 27, 2020 in the Namadgi National Park south of Canberra, when the landing light of an Australian Army helicopter ignited the dry grass of its landing site.
The fire burned through nearly 90,000 hectares of the ACT, also travelling into New South Wales.
Chief Magistrate Walker has made eight recommendations around risk assessments, communications and systems.
"This matter has taken far too long to be finalised," she said.
"Without demur, I offer my apologies to those affected by the fire and its aftermath, in the various ways in which that has occurred."
