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The summer of 2019-2020, known as "Black Summer," saw one of the most catastrophic bushfire seasons in Australian history. The fires ravaged 24 million hectares across the country, destroying thousands of homes and tragically claiming many lives, both human and wildlife.

Nestled among the many areas affected by the fires, our strategically positioned Steamatic Australia branches in Albury-Wodonga and Wagga Wagga were perfectly placed to deliver crucial support for the local recovery efforts.

Where were the Devastating Fires of 2019-2020 Around Albury-Wodonga and Wagga Wagga?

Several fires raged across the Riverina in NSW, and Northeast Victoria. The fires started in December 2019, continuing to burn for months, causing catastrophic and widespread damage to homes, livelihoods, and natural environments.

Three Major Fire Complexes that Caused Significant Damage:

Dunns Road and Adelong Fires: These fires quickly spread, fuelled by extreme temperatures and strong winds. The complex, including the Dunns Road and Adelong fires, threatened numerous communities, including Wagga Wagga.

Tumbarumba Fires: These fires were a significant part of the fire event in the region, impacting the Tumbarumba area and exacerbating the fire situation across the region.

Corryong Fire: This fire heavily impacted the communities around Corryong. Driven by extreme weather conditions, including high temperatures and strong winds, it required extensive firefighting efforts.

Our Critical Role in Bushfire Recovery

In the aftermath of these fires, the need for specialised fire restoration services was immense. Being within easy traveling distance to the major fire zones, we became pivotal partners in the recovery process. Our team was uniquely equipped to handle the extensive damage caused by the bushfires with our certified IICRC technicians and state-of-the-art restoration equipment, processes, and techniques.

Comprehensive Fire Restoration Services

We provided a range of services crucial for the rehabilitation of fire-damaged properties:

  1. Smoke and Soot Removal: One of the immediate challenges post-fires is dealing with smoke and soot, which can cause long-term damage to buildings and pose a health hazard for occupants. Our advanced cleaning techniques ensured thorough removal, restoring air quality and surfaces to safe, habitable conditions.

  2. Content Restoration: Personal belongings and essential items often suffer in fires. We employed specialised methods to clean and restore a wide range of items, from furniture to electronics, helping to reclaim what might otherwise have been lost.

  3. Odour Control: The persistent smell of smoke can be a constant reminder of the devastation. Using state-of-the-art BioSweep technology, we eliminated unpleasant odours, ensuring properties were once again habitable.

  4. Water Damage Restoration: Surprisingly, properties saved from the fires often face additional damage from firefighting efforts. We addressed this by restoring water-damaged properties, ensuring that they were returned to their pre-event condition.

Community Impact and Recovery

Our efforts went beyond mere restoration. Our work played a vital role in the psychological recovery of the community. Restoring homes and businesses to their pre-fire condition helped return a sense of normalcy and stability to those impacted. Moreover, our rapid response and efficient service helped mitigate further economic loss for the region. By enabling businesses to resume operations and residents to return to their homes more quickly, we contributed significantly to the overall recovery of the areas affected.

The bushfires of 2019-2020 tested the resilience and solidarity of our rural communities. We are proud to stand as pillars of support, partnering to providing essential services that facilitated the area’s recovery. Our contributions were crucial in restoring not just the physical structures but also the hope and spirit of our community, exemplifying the vital role that a local restoration business can play in fast tracking disaster recovery efforts.

Next case study on Fire Damage Restoration