A Duffys Forest fire truck has been destroyed and a near-new Terrey Hills tanker has been damaged after Northern Beaches RFS volunteers were caught in a hazard-reduction fire that escaped containment in Sydney’s south-west.
The planned 41-hectare burn between Katanna Road and Minerva Road at Wedderburn began at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, 26 September, after two successful test fires. About 100 firefighters were involved, including crews from Duffys Forest, Terrey Hills, Davidson and Tumbledown Dick.
Crews retreat as fire intensifies
Conditions changed at about 4:00 p.m., when a sudden wind change intensified the fire. Northern Beaches crews were working near Winton Close at the time, with local reporting saying 19 firefighters were forced into a rapid retreat as the flames approached.
RFS Commissioner Trent Curtin said some firefighters were away from their tankers when the fire came through and withdrew to a nearby property. Emergency spray systems on the tankers were activated, and firefighters resumed operations after retreating from the area.
Additional resources, including two helicopters, were sent in. One volunteer firefighter suffered smoke inhalation and chest pain and was taken to hospital as a precaution before being released, while 17 others were assessed and cleared by paramedics.
Duffys tanker lost to flames
Three Northern Beaches firefighting vehicles were directly affected. The destroyed vehicle was reported to be Duffys Forest Rural Fire Brigade’s large Category 1 tanker, which was about two years old. A near-new Terrey Hills truck and an appliance from Tumbledown Dick were also damaged but were believed to be salvageable.
About 20 Northern Beaches firefighters had been deployed to the operation. Around a dozen volunteers were later collected from Wedderburn RFS Station by RFS buses and returned to the Northern Beaches at about 9:00 p.m.
Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby said she had been in contact with affected RFS members and understood the Duffys Forest crew had been cleared following assessments by ambulance teams. She thanked the volunteers involved and called for a new truck for the brigade following the loss.
Brigade loses key appliance
Duffys Forest Rural Fire Brigade operates from a $2.4 million station opened in 2023 with four truck bays. The facility also serves as a base for the Northern Beaches Remote Area Firefighting Team. At the time of its opening, the RFS recorded more than 160 volunteers with the brigade.
Details of replacement arrangements for the destroyed Duffys Forest tanker had not been announced by the RFS at the time of publication.
Investigation follows containment breach
Commissioner Curtin has ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Wedderburn burn, with the safety regulator also notified. He said it was too early to determine whether the incident could have been prevented. Minor damage was later identified at two properties.
The investigation comes as the RFS prepares for potentially heightened bushfire risk after what Curtin described as the driest winter on record and confirmed strong El Niño conditions. High temperatures and dry conditions are expected through spring and could extend into summer.
Fire fleet overhaul approaches
The truck loss comes days after legislation was introduced to NSW Parliament to transfer ownership of more than 6,000 RFS vehicles, known as the Red Fleet, from councils to the RFS from 1 July 2027.
The transition is backed by $470 million over 10 years, while a further $106 million over four years has been allocated for critical maintenance and safety upgrades. The NSW Government says centralised ownership is intended to improve fleet reliability, statewide standards and management over the working life of vehicles.
Scruby said the Wedderburn incident reinforced the need for RFS brigades to have reliable equipment as they prepare for the bushfire season.
The investigation into how the planned hazard reduction escaped containment is continuing.
Published 29-Sept-2026
