Roleystone Karragullen Bush Fire Brigade has expressed immense pride in two of its members, Michelle Edmead and Jason van Uden, who recently journeyed to South Australia and supported firey crews to fight the Deep Creek bushfire.
“Their bravery and willingness to support another Australian community in need reflects the true heart of volunteer service,” said the brigade.
The Deep Creek bushfire was first reported at on Sunday 1 February 2026, and affected private and public land, including Deep Creek National Park and Talisker Conservation Park. The incident was contained by 8th February, though it was not until the 23rd that it was declared as wrapped by the South Australian Country Fire Service.
Approximately 4,592 hectares were burnt, with a 60 km fire perimeter and more than 10 days of sustained firefighting operations. As part of aerial operations, 3,216,000 total litres of water were dropped. Throughout the 10 days, approximately 5000 firefighters were deployed, with about 170 coming from interstate in a nationwide effort.
Describing WA’s input, and strong support for our countrymen and women from SA, DFES WA declared: “Twenty-seven of our firefighters and incident management personnel have crossed the border to support crews battling the Deep Creek bushfire, where firefighters across Australia have been working tirelessly on the fireground over the past week.”
The fight was incredibly long and tough and was worsened by the terrain of the region, with many areas described as steep and very hard to reach.
Mrs Edmead described the experience vividly. “So we actually flew over on the 7th of February, and came back on the 13th, so we travelled over for one day, then we fought the fire for five days, and travelled back on the last day.
“They put the call out to the brigades. They look for people who are willing to be deployed and have the time available and the experience. So you already have to be registered. You put your name forward and if you get chosen, you go as part of that deployment,” she said, describing the selection process.
“It was just amazing. Like, we went on to night shift, so it was very difficult to see exactly how much damage was done, but what we could see, it was massive hills, and a lot of bushland as well, full of houses. They were very susceptible to the fires, and the damage, as the fire went through, was incredible.
“Our role was sort of more support, to give the local crews a rest, so that’s why the interstate deployment team came, to assist.”
Mrs Edmead expressed great positivity regarding the efforts of the South Australian firefighters in combating the disaster. “To actually see what it was, that was a real testament to what the South Australian crew had done, and what they had managed to save, and how much work they put in, it’s just incredible. Like, you can’t describe it unless you actually see it.”
Regarding the perks of such a deployment, and the sense of mateship that developed through it, she said: “The experience gives you that bit of understanding. Jason has done quite a few deployments, so he sort of guided me through, since we’re from the same brigade. You meet so many new people that you wouldn’t normally be around and, you know, we were all around each other for a full week, and we all just bonded with each other through the hardship.”
Mrs Edmead encourages all locals interested in making a difference in their communities through bravery to sign up to their local brigades. Volunteer fireys are absolutely essential to the preservation of our bushland, farmland and communities.
