Fire inquiry implications for defence

An inquiry into a fire on a NSW defence training range could have implications for how defence conducts weapons training on other ranges throughout Australia.

Acting Australian Defence Force chief Mark Binskin said the commission of inquiry launched last week would look into the Marangaroo training area fire on October 16 and could make broader recommendations on the use of other defence ranges.

"We do a lot of live fire exercises on many of our ranges around Australia," he told a Senate estimates committee hearing. "It is important for us from a preparedness point of view. There is no use having a defence force that doesn't know how to use its equipment."

Defence launched the inquiry after a NSW Rural Fire Service investigation found an explosives training exercise caused the major State Mine fire that burned through 50,000 hectares and destroyed at least three homes near Lithgow.

The inquiry will report to defence by January 31.

Air Marshal Binskin said the exercise was conducted by the RAAF unit that teaches explosive ordnance disposal skills.

Instructors included personnel who have worked in Afghanistan.

The full facts of what occurred would emerge at the inquiry, he told the hearing in Canberra on Wednesday.

What is known so far is the temperature that day was 23 degrees with light to moderate winds.

The fire danger was variously listed as low to moderate or high, which wasn't the highest rating, and there was no total fire ban until the next day.

"As we come into heightened fire dangers, we do emphasise to commanders to have a good look at this and not just look at the rules and regs (regulations) but also look at the common-sense side of it as well," he said.

"I'm not saying that wasn't displayed in this case."

Air Marshal Binskin said defence did not start the Springwood-Winmalee-Yellowrock fire, although defence personnel participated in the response and clean-up.