A bird ignited by powerlines caused Tarago fire, investigators find

[Philip Veerman <>]

It happens with possums & fruit bats. Less likely with birds as they tend to just be in contact with one wire. About happening all the time, I think it rather amazing that the people managed to find this and determine it to be the cause in this case. Of all the fires that happen from unknown causes, what would have been the chances of finding a dead bird and being able to match it to the cause? Also it requires the right ground conditions for a fire to take on.

 

Philip

 

From: David Rees [
Sent: Friday, 20 January, 2017 4:34 PM
To: John Leonard
Cc:
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] A bird ignited by powerlines caused Tarago fire, investigators find

 

John

 

I've have personally seen a Magpie do just this in suburban Melbourne.  Managed to arc the power wires, big bang and crash and it fell to ground in flames, in that case it hit the tarmac. I'd say it is possible.. 

 

David

 

On Fri, Jan 20, 2017 at 4:26 PM, John Leonard <> wrote:

Sounds very unlikely to me. If it was the cause why doesn't it happen all the time?

John Leonard

 

On 20 Jan 2017, at 4:16 PM, kym bradley <> wrote:

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/a-bird-ignited-by-powerlines-caused-tarago-fire-investigators-find-20170120-gtvfic.html

Bird ignited by powerlines caused Tarago fire www.canberratimes.com.au A bird that caught fire after flying too close to high-voltage powerlines is what authorities believe started the Currandooley fire in Tarago.