(VOICES OVERLAPPING)
WOMAN: ..highest and driest on record,
and now the Bureau of Meteorology has confirmed the severe conditions
affected not only farms... MAN: The state is tinder-dry.
It is really, really dry...
MAN: And be accompanied with the hot winds coming out of the west.
MAN: Hard-pressed finding anything green out here at the moment.
The grass is brown.
There's nothing flowering...
MAN: Very easily. They're spreading extremely quickly.
MAN: I urge you to go and have a look
at the Australian southern seasonal outlook again
and you'll see what's coming.
(BIRDS SCREECHING)
(THUNDER RUMBLES)
MAN: Tash! Give us a hand.
I'm dying here.
Can you keep up today?
Wait and see.
Go, guys. Yeah!
Go, go, come on. You gotta do it.
One more! Go, go, go.
That's it! You got it, mate.
Go, go, go.
Other brigades wouldn't be doing this.
The fitter we are, the better prepared we'll be for the season.
Yeah. That or we'll all need a friggin' lie down.
Go, go, go, go, go, go. Go, Tash!
Go, go, go, go, go.
Come on, Brendan. Move that fat arse.
She's half your size.
One more, one more, one more.
Go, go, go, go, go. Go.
Brendan, hurry up.
Go, go, go, go, go, go. Yes!
Whoo! Girl power.
What was that?
Girl power!
Ooh! Ooh! Yeah!
No one likes a show-off.
Oh, yeah.
Well done, Tashy.
You did it.
Whoo!
Good work. You too.
Come on. Yep.
You right?
You know, ah, Clint's band's playing at the bowlo tonight?
You heard Clint's band?
They've got margaritas by the jug.
Who cares how it sounds?
Come on.
Shit.
Your sister wanted a swim.
She can stay with you for the day.
I've got a brigade meeting in an hour.
And I've got a two-day backlog at work, so...
You drive her home when you're done. OK?
Fuck this.
Love hanging with you too, sis.
I'm not your babysitter, Tahlia.
Hey, Mott, how ya goin?
Um, can you do my back?
Yeah, sure.
So you live on Henderson Street, yeah?
Yeah, with my Aunty Rosie.
So why did you leave the city to come to Buttfuck Nowheresville?
It wasn't really working out for me in Sydney,
so I moved up here a year ago.
Soon as I can, I'm out.
Nothing happens here.
That feels really nice.
(OMINOUS MUSIC)
(BIRDS SCREECHING)
(PHONE BUZZES)
Tahlia.
You're not supposed to... It's one beer.
God, you're boring.
The meeting. We have to go. And you have to come too.
No, thanks.
It'll be one hour.
Not even that. No way.
I'm not coming.
I haven't even had a swim yet.
Zane's gonna teach me how to surf.
Aren't you?
Yeah.
Stuff it. Let's go.
You stay here. See ya, Mott.
And don't drink anymore.
I won't.
Right, well, I don't think that
that's really in the cards for us yet.
Nothin' for it.
Get nothin' for it. Waste of money.
Well, Baz is...
WOMAN: OK, people! (CLAPS) Come on.
I got a husband at home cooking lasagne
and a cold bottle of chardy waiting.
(MIMICS WHIP LASHING)
I should make you take the minutes for that, Gez,
but no one can read your awful scribble.
That's right, that's right.
So, Clint.
Oh, didn't know you could write, mate.
Yeah, but he can swipe right.
(LAUGHS) You're so funny.
OK, apologies from Clay, Baz and Juni who can't be here.
First order of business, I'd like to call up Mott.
Hey!
(WHISTLES AND CHEERS)
On completion of your six month fire skills course,
and officially a full member of the Nandina Volunteer Fire Brigade,
Mott can now join us on the fire ground.
Thank you. Good on you, mate.
(WHISTLING) Yeah, look out.
Here you go. Thanks.
Tough season to start.
Oh, Brendan, don't go there, mate. Don't start.
We've all seen the fuel loads.
Well, lucky Mott's got bigger balls than you, mate.
Haven't ya?
Just ignore them, Mott. Congratulations.
And now, Tash.
(WHISTLES AND CHEERS) Yay!
One of our youngest ever members.
Joined at us, um, 16, I recall.
She's been driving a heavy tanker since she could reach the pedals.
One of our most valuable crew.
A Queensland VFB Certificate of Commendation
in recognition of five years of outstanding service.
Yeah. Whoo.
You deserve it. Whoo-whoo-whoo.
Whoo.
Speech. Well done, Tash. Well done.
ALL: Speech. Speech! Speech!
OK. Ah, well, you're all...
..a bunch of weirdos.
Especially Gez.
But, ah, belonging to the brigade,
you know that you'll always have support, not just on the fireground,
but there'll always be someone there for you.
So, thanks.
OK, next order of business, the statement of accounts, Brendan.
Well done, Tashy.
Do you want to run us through last month's expenditure?
Certainly do. Jesus, here we go.
Alright, here's the good stuff, everyone. Prepare to be dazzled.
Yeah, ya reckon?
Alright, on the 5th of August.
$169. No, should be fine.
We got a replacement chainsaw for the second pumper.
..for tomorrow?
12 August, $98.55, replenish supplies of the P2s.
Alright, and then we got tea and coffee supplies, $46.35.
(VOICE FADES)
Shit!
I knew I shouldn't have left her.
Dad's gonna go off.
Ah, there she is.
Gonna have to drag her away now.
Why don't you just chill?
Hang out for a bit, till she's ready.
I can hang too, if you want.
I've got nothin' on.
Thought you were going to the bowlo.
Nah.
Have you heard Clint's band?
(LAUGHS)
Come on.
OK.
(UPBEAT MUSIC)
(LAUGHTER)
Cheers!
MAN: I love it! Whoo!
That's enough.
You're drunk. Let's go.
I'm not drunk. Stop it.
You're going home.
You're so boring!
Tash!
Don't tell Dad.
What the hell is this? Ask her.
Hiya, Pops.
You were supposed to be keeping an eye on her.
I had a meeting. I told you that.
That bloody brigade.
You're always there.
You know you've got jobs to do here too, you know?
I do my jobs. I do all the friggin' jobs.
She's only 16.
Who else was there, hmm?
Was it a party?
Who knows what could have happened?
I don't know, Dad. Ask Tahlia.
I'm sure she had a few ideas.
Ask me what?
Nothing.
Water.
What the hell?
They're for dinner.
The dinner I'm cooking... What the fuck is your problem?
You want something, you get it yourself.
Enough with the F bomb, Tahlia. Fuck is wrong with you?
Skanking around at the beach.
You're just jealous.
I'm not responsible for her.
She makes her own dumb decisions.
It's got nothin' to do with me.
No one wants you sticking your ugly-arse nose in...
She's your sister, Natasha.
You are responsible.
Well, I don't wanna be. Well, you are.
Well, I'm always having to look after her.
I can't do anything for myself.
And you don't do anything interesting, so...
Oh, shut up.
For once, just shut your stupid fucking FACE.
Oh, stop it now.
Both of you.
Why can't you just get along for once?
Jesus Christ.
Imagine if your mother was here now. She's not.
Well, she wouldn't want this.
Maybe she should have thought about it a bit more
before she popped every pill in the fuckin' house.
THAT'S ENOUGH!
(CUTLERY CLATTERS)
(PHONE BUZZES)
(WOMEN LAUGH)
Oh, don't, don't.
Hey, just ask her out, Mott.
Stop beating around the bush, bub.
Oh, no, no, come on now, Rosie.
She don't want him crowding her, does she?
I know you, Mott. This is what happens.
You're too slow, you won't make a move
and then they move on with the next person who does.
Don't tell him that.
Remember what happened the last time? He was too pushy.
You were too pushy and she ran away.
I'm not listening to either of you.
BOYS: Uncle! Uncle! Come play with us.
No, no, no, I'm on my phone. Please, just one round.
No. One round.
Just... Just one round!
OK, go. Go.
Get the ball.
Go on, get it. Get it, get it, get, sweet.
Yeah. Come on, come on, come on.
Hey! And he goes and he goes and he shoots and he shoots.
Hey!
Because! It's my ball.
(CHIMES TINKLE)
What are you doing? What are you doing?
Hurry.
(WIND ROARS)
(OMINOUS MUSIC)
(DRILL WHIRRS)
(CAR APPROACHES)
(DOOR SHUTS)
Hey, can I get lunch money?
Yeah, you know where it is.
You want a tea before I start? No, thanks.
(PHONE BUZZES)
We've had a call-out.
A fire in the hills.
No way. You can't leave Dad to do everything.
Well, I don't have to. I can let the others cover.
No, no, it's fine. I don't need you here.
I'm going to school.
I want Mott on the hose with you. No way.
What?
I can't do it. I'm running the ground.
Get a wriggle on! The others are already there.
MOTT: Yeah.
There's pockets for everything. We've gotta roll.
Come on.
(SIREN WAILS)
MAN: (OVER RADIO) Nandina 51, Firecom.
We don't have any aircraft available
for aerial surveillance at the moment, over.
All received, Firecom, over.
Do we even need surveillance on this job?
Mm... Hard to know.
Look at the height of the smoke column.
That's not too bad, eh?
There's a wind.
(SIGHS) North-westerly?
Correct. Good job.
And the colour, it's quite light.
It's probably running out of fuel.
What do you reckon, Tash?
Look just below it. You see that...darker strip?
Yeah. Oh.
Oh, there's plenty of fuel.
(CHUCKLES)
She's just revving you, Mott.
(SIREN WAILS)
(INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER)
(CLATTER, DOORS SHUT)
Firecom North. This is Nandina 51, sitrep.
MAN: (OVER RADIO) Go ahead, Nandina 51.
Corymbia Road fire, about half a hectare. Flame height 1.5.
Moving easterly. Gerry!
Corymbia Road fire, about half a hectare,
flame height 1.5.
moving easterly, running hard.
Nominated channel, VHF14.
Roger that. This one?
That one. Sorry.
Clint, honey.
We love your biceps, but put your PPE for God's sake,
and can you jump on the pump?
Um, you two on the hose.
And see if...see if you can knock it on the head.
Brendan.... This is a 25, yeah?
Just gonna check the flank. See what we're dealing with.
Mott, come on. MAN: 38. 38 mil, mate.
Yeah, of course. Yeah, 38-mil coming atcha.
Just stick close and watch me.
Hold on, Tash.
You there? Coming.
More hose. Yeah.
(GRUNTS)
(WATER SPRAYS)
(PANTING)
Ger? Yeah?
Get Tash back and then attack from the flank.
Moving along the ridge. Tash, Tash.
I want you to watch the back of the truck.
She's going to attack from the flank.
Copy that, water off.
Water off. Yeah.
We're heading back. Copy that.
You got some slack now? Yeah.
(WATER RUNS)
(PANTING)
(GROANS) Fuck.
Tash!
Shit.
(PANTING)
Shit.
(GROANS)
(PANTING)
Mott!
What's up?
(GROANS)
Ohhh!
Mott.
(PANTING)
I've lost Mott. I'm going back in.
Hey, Vonnie.
Tash is going back. She's lost Mott.
Clint, can you get in there, mate?
(PANTING)
Oh, shit.
Shit. Shit. Shit! Shit!
Ahhh!
(GROANS)
What are you doing?
Shit, Mott, put them on.
Lesson one.
It got caught under the log.
All you had to do was look after the hose. That was your one job.
I was trying to get it out from under the...
I told you to watch me. I told you to stick close.
Why couldn't you follow directions? Stop yelling at me, Tash, OK?
I didn't do it on purpose. CLINT: Found him.
We're coming out now.
What the hell are you doing?
Oh, nice.
Really great work. Shut up, Clint.
Let's go.
You need something for that.
I'm fine. First aid.
Over here!
My first fire, I flicked the wrong pump switch
and sent the foam back into the truck.
Turned into a big white marshmallow.
Do you think if I wrap that, can you go back in?
Yeah.
Yeah, yeah, I should be right.
Hey, is it OK to...
If I go with someone else?
There a problem?
It's just Tash.
Her bark's worse than her bite.
Yeah, well, she hasn't bitten you.
MAN: OK, people. Fire's not putting itself out.
Come on, Tash, hurry up.
Down that one. Yep.
Hey, you got more slack?
Back it up. Got it, got it.
Tash!
Tash, behind you.
It's flaring. Give it another go. (SHOUTS)
How are you going for water?
Oh, yeah, we're down a bit.
Alright, I'll send you a boost. Right.
Give me more.
Brendan! Yeah, Tash?
Yeah, I've got this one.
(INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER)
What about back there? Yeah.
Heading back. Yep.
Alright, just bring me forward, mate.
Yep. Bring me forward.
You can move. You can move. Yep.
Tash! Tash!
Nice, Tash.
Coming through.
You good? Yeah, I'm good.
(GRUNTS) Yeah, I'm clear.
We're done. Let's go.
Watch the tree behind you, mate. Watch your step.
Great work, team. Claps and taps.
(ALL CHEER)
Brilliant as usual, Gez. Ha-hey!
BRENDAN: I lost pressure for a bit there... That was you, wasn't it?
(LAUGHTER) Yeah, alright, alright.
OK, we're going to refill at the waterhole,
and then return to station.
MAN: Can I skip that?
I, um... If I take off now, I can still work half a day,
so I'll just catch a ride with Clint, yeah?
Sure. Yeah?
Don't say it. It's not even summer yet, Von.
I said don't say it, I didn't it? Done.
Yeah. Yeah.
MOTT: Yeah, no, I'm good.
I just feel like I've lost a couple of kilos in sweat.
But we did it.
I burnt the hose, but.
Yeah, no, I'm fine.
Hey, but don't tell them little fellas that.
I won't hear the end of it.
Just say I was, like, Iron Man or something.
No, no, no, Fireman Sam, but blackfella-style, you know.
Yeah, Uncle Fireman.
OK, yeah. I'll see you soon.
Love you. Bye.
(SPLASH!)
Yeah. Oh! Yeah!
Ahh!
(MACHINERY RUMBLES)
How's the water?
You don't want to cool off?
Ah, no.
We won't be long. Get you back to work ASAP.
Oh, Dad doesn't give a shit if I come back or not.
No-one gives a shit.
He's struggling too, honey. It doesn't mean he doesn't care.
And we give a shit.
We give lots of shits.
I'm just gonna go check on Gerry.
Make sure he hasn't eaten all the muesli bars.
Psst.
Come on.
Hey.
Tash? Mott?
Get out. We've got another fire.
Big one, heading to the new estate.
Come on, come on, hurry.
Can you call Clint and Brendan? Tell them to meet us there.
You take Mott in 52. Gerry's with me.
Move it.
(SIRENS WAIL)
WOMAN ON RADIO: Firecom, Gwynne 41.
MAN ON RADIO: Go ahead, Gwynne 41.
We're setting up at the entrance to the estate.
Given a sitrep on the fire front,
confirming that it's safe to proceed.
MAN: Firecom, this is Scottsville 54.
Scottsville 54, go ahead.
About three minutes away.
Scottsville 54, head to the south end of Acacia...
It's really buzzing. It must be big.
They would have called out all the brigades in the region.
They'll want to stop it before it gets anywhere near houses.
What's the plan?
We'll probably do a back burn,
get rid of some of the fuel load in the bush behind the estate.
Bligh 42, Firecom.
MAN: This is Bligh 42. Go ahead, Firecom.
Bligh 42, we've had reports of visible smoke.
Are you available to respond? Over.
Firecom, we're currently on our way to Acacia.
Bligh 42, reroute from Acacia...
I'm sorry.
About before. On the fireground. I overreacted...
No, you're alright.
Actually...
..I'm sorry too.
What for?
Ohhh! (LAUGHS)
Oh, my God! Oh!
It's just nerves. That's...that's disgusting!
It's just nerves. Oh, yours are just as bad!
Oh! Not like that.
You've got some kind of digestive problem.
Well, it's all the fruit and veg I've been eating.
I've NEVER seen you eat a piece of fruit.
OK, it's the chips and the pies and the baked beans.
Yeah, more like it. You know I like my baked beans.
Yeah, I know, I know. (LAUGHS)
MAN ON RADIO: Firecom, it's running pretty hard.
There are multiple fronts and we're trying to get across...
WOMAN ON RADIO: Firecom North, this is Nandina 51.
Sitrep - we've got a number of spot fires in the distances.
Respond extra crews.
Copy that. Gwynne 41, did you read across that?
MAN: We'll stand by. Copy that, Firecom.
MAN: Nandina 51, this is Wyem 53.
Got a grass fire north of you moving pretty fast.
Oh, shit. And another on Bakers Road.
Get out of there ASAP. Shit.
Copy that.
WOMAN: Mott, did you read across that?
Yeah, we heard it.
Just get the fire blanket, just in case.
Put the pedal to the metal, guys. Got it.
It's coming.
On the left. (WHISPERS) Oh, shit!
Is this...is this normal?
I've never seen it like this before.
Firecom North, this is Nandina 51. Sitrep.
Nandina 51, Firecom.
Fire is approaching fast. Location, Canning Road...
The front must be close.
Blanket. Put it up over the window. Yep.
Cover your side.
Ohh, shit!
Blanket! Hold it up! Over the window!
(GRUNTS) Arggh!
Arggh! Shit! Oh. You OK?
Yeah.
Mott? Tash? You need to catch up.
Whoa! Oh!
(CREAKING)
What's that sound?
(ENGINE REVS)
Shit!
Shit, shit, shit, shit! What's wrong?
Shit, shit! What is it?
Ohh! Don't stop! What are you doing?!
Uh...Firecom North, Nandina 52. Priority call. Red, red, red.
Oh, fuck!
All units, Nandina 52 have priority.
Go ahead, Nandina 52.
We've been impacted by fire. The truck is...
Uh, I think...um...
..uh, we hit something. The air brakes have gone.
Uh, the wheels are locked. We're going into personal protection.
Copy, Nandina 52. Truck is disabled and you're being impacted by fire.
Bloody hell! Going into personal protection.
We've got to go back there.
Nandina 51. Moving back to assist 52.
Copy that.
Just keep straight for now.
I'll guide you. Nandina 51 moving back to assist.
Nandina 52, do you copy?
Copy. Arggh!
It's OK, it's OK. It's OK. They're...they're coming.
They'll get us out of here. OK.
Just keep holding it up.
Yeah, yeah. Yep.
(TRUCK BEEPS)
Keep coming.
(INHALES SHARPLY) Come on.
Oh. Oh! (CHUCKLES) OK. OK.
(TRUCK BEEPS)
(THUNDERCLAP)
Firecom, this is Nandina 51.
We've arrived. Got a visual on Nandina 52.
Assessing the scene.
Nandina 52, stay in your vehicle.
Repeat, stay in your vehicle.
Assessing what?! If it's safe to help.
You've got to... you can't risk crew to save crew.
Wh-what? It's protocol.
Well, fuck protocol!
(FIRE ROARS) Oh! Friggin' hell!
Look at that bastard go!
Oh, Jesus!
Firecom, this is Nandina 51.
Fire's jumped the road.
Copy that, Nandina 51. Fire's jumped the road.
Are you still able to assist, 52?
We wouldn't last five seconds out there!
The best chance is they stay inside and get low.
I can't leave them!
Fuck, what's taking them so long?!
Nandina 51.
(FIRE ROARS)
Nandina 51, repeat. Are you able to assist?
Negative, Firecom.
No way! Fuck!
No!
Radiant heat's too high. We can't. We just...
We can't.
Received, Nandina 51. Get out if you can.
Copy that.
Tash? Mott?
I'm sorry.
Tash, you know what to do.
We practised this.
OK? You know the procedure.
No!
Don't get out of the truck until it passes.
No!
Come back!
They can't just leave us here!
I feel sick.
What? I feel sick.
Vonnie. Vonnie.
(SIGHS) You did the right thing.
Nandina 52, report.
Nandina 52.
Starting... (PANTING)
Starting, uh...burnover procedure.
Copy that. Oh, fuck!
(RADIO SIGNAL BREAKS UP)
Firecom, repeat last message.
Firecom, repeat.
Um... Oh, shit.
Oh, fuck. Oh, shit!
What do we do now? I don't know.
Tash, what do we do?! I don't know. I don't know.
I can't remember. Come on!
(FIRE ROARS) Shit!
Ohh, shit!
Tash, what do we do?! I don't know! I can't think.
Ohh! OK.
Hey, Tash, lesson one.
Wear gloves. Gloves.
Come on.
Put 'em on, put 'em on. Yep.
Cover yourself, yeah? Collar up, yeah?
OK. Collar up. There you go.
We've got to get low. Got to get low?
Um...uh...
The back. The back.
Yeah. Come on.
Tash! Yep. Come on, yep.
Under the blanket!
Oh! Shit!
(BOTH WHIMPER)
Come here.
Mott? Yeah?
Don't let go.
I won't.
(METAL CREAKS)
(WHIMPERS, HYPERVENTILATES)
It's OK. Shh.
(METAL CREAKS LOUDLY)
(LOUD CRASH)
(SILENCE)
CRAIG: The winds are coming in from the west,
and about 25 knots, that's the gusts.
As soon as we get the all-clear, we're going in.
Let me go too, Craig. No way.
It's my crew.
Yeah, exactly. You're too close.
You shouldn't even be here.
Someone can go and take you to the hospital, get you checked out.
Yeah, I'm not leaving. I wouldn't argue with her.
(HORNS TOOT)
We're on. Let's go.
Hey.
Have the families been told? Nah, not yet.
Head shed won't contact them until they know exactly what's happened,
so...
Shit. Shit!
Hey, people have survived burnovers before, yeah?
Yeah, yeah.
Yeah? Mm-hm.
They've all been trained. They know what to do, so...
Yeah. But none of us have had to do it.
MAN: (OVER RADIO) Copy that, 224. Anything further?
No. FIREFIGHTER: We're going in.
(FLAMES CRACKLE)
(HEAVY BREATHING)
MAN: (IN THE DISTANCE) There they are!
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
Oh, my God. Oh, my God.
I'm so sorry, Tash.
I'm so sorry.
Good to see you. Good to see you.
The truck's gone.
Fuck the truck.
MAN: (OVER RADIO) Anything further on those extra appliances?
MAN: Yeah. We've got two strike teams...
..Helitak moving south over the estate for intel.
Firecom North, all appliances.
Nandina 52, all personnel accounted for.
Heading back to station now.
Thank Christ for that.
I cannot believe you walked away from that.
Bloody bulletproof.
Fireproof.
(LAUGHTER)
(ALL LAUGH)
Mate...
Oh, jeez, need a tissue, Clint?
Piss off.
You OK? Yeah.
Mott. Mott.
Hey, you alright?
This face.
(SOBS)
Ohh. Oh, this beautiful face.
We never thought we'd see you again.
He scared us, hey?
I'm alright. I'm here. I'm here.
WOMAN: Tash!
(SOBS)
Dad, I'm sorry. I didn't mean what I said.
That's OK.
(SOBS)
Here...
(ON RADIO) Residents are in the process of evacuating
from the new housing estate
as the fire continues to burn out of control towards their homes.
Firefighters are working to contain the blaze
which earlier threatened the lives of two young volunteers
when their fire truck... (TURNS RADIO OFF)
You going to the hospital? Yeah.
We were on the news.
Always knew I'd be famous one day.
How'd you like your first fire?
Mmm...bit ordinary.
Mmm. Yeah. Yeah.
(VEHICLE APPROACHES)
(SIREN WAILS)
Hope the second one's better.
Hope so.
(CAR HORN TOOTS) ROSIE: Hey, hurry up!
Sorry.
It's OK.
This township now begins the slow process of healing and rebuilding.
We're still alive.
It's just stuff. It's not just stuff, Duncan.
People are saying this fire was deliberately lit.
Arson.
Everything's so dry here, it'd only take a match
for the whole valley to go up.
I don't want journalists coming here.
Alright.
It's gonna be a pretty intense fire season.
We'll go wherever we're needed.
Did you know Arch smoked? Well, he's a 14-year-old boy.
Do you think Arch started the fire? Think about what you're saying.
What'd you do? Were you out there smoking on Saturday?
Captions by Red Bee Media
Copyright Australian Broadcasting Corporation