A significant multi-agency firefighting operation has brought four bushfires burning in the remote wilderness of Namadgi National Park to the brink of being fully extinguished.
The ACT Emergency Services Agency confirmed the fires, which had been alight for several days, were placed on 'patrol' status by Tuesday evening, January 6, 2026, indicating they were nearly out.
Challenging terrain demands aerial and specialist response
The blazes, first detected on Saturday, were located in extremely difficult-to-access areas near Bendora Dam, Corin Dam, and Cotter Hut. The terrain was so steep and remote that firefighters relied on helicopters and boats to reach the ignition points.
More than 75 personnel from the ACT Rural Fire Service, the Remote Area Firefighting Team (RAFT), ACT Parks and Conservation Service, and the ACT State Emergency Service collaborated on the ground and in the air.
Helicopters conducted water-bombing missions, while specialised crews were inserted into specific locations to tackle deep-seated hotspots. In some cases, firefighters had to use chainsaws to cut open smouldering tree trunks to fully douse the flames.
Extent of the damage and logistical feats
Collectively, the fires burned through more than 11 hectares of national park land. The largest blaze, near Cotter Hut, accounted for 7.5 hectares. A separate fire close to the banks of Bendora Dam burned 3.5 hectares, while the other two ignitions each affected 0.2 hectares.
To maximise efficiency, crews established a temporary helicopter refuelling base at the Birrigai Outdoor School, allowing for longer flight times and sustained aerial attacks.
"The very remote location of the fires has required a highly specialised, multi-agency response," an ACT ESA spokesman said.
Community threat averted, monitoring continues
The emergency services agency has assured the public that the bushfires do not pose a threat to the community. The fires were described as "slow-moving" and were successfully contained by Tuesday.
While the active firefighting phase has concluded, crews will continue to patrol and monitor the area in the coming days for any potential flare-ups from remaining hotspots.
The successful containment highlights the coordinated effort between frontline firefighters and the incident management and logistics teams working behind the scenes.
