A “treasured and long-serving” New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service firefighter who died after being struck by a falling tree in a bushfire has been named as John Lohan, a 59-year-old father.
The divisional commander was killed in Nerong on the state’s mid-north coast on Sunday night. He had been working in a “critical leadership role on the fireground, ensuring the safety of his firefighters and the community”, the NPWS said.
Lohan had been based at the service’s Lake Munmorah depot for almost 30 years and had been deployed to fires across the state.
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In a statement released on Tuesday afternoon, Lohan’s family thanked the public for their support and said they were “deeply grateful to John’s coworkers for their compassion and strength”.
The ongoing contributions of the men and women of the NPWS, they said, “often go unrecognised, and we truly value the role they play on the front line every day”.
“The news of John’s passing has come as a profound shock to us all. John was a great father, loving brother, and wonderful friend to everyone who knew him. He will be greatly missed,” they said.
Firefighters in NSW were continuing to contain the bushfire south of Bulahdelah on both sides of the Pacific Highway that had burned more than 4,600 hectares.
The blaze, at advice level, was burning in the Myall Lakes national park between Crawford River and Nerong on Tuesday.
The RFS had urged the small community of Nerong to prepare to evacuate on Monday evening, but back burning overnight was successful.
On Tuesday morning, the RFS was working to put out spot fires in the area, assisted by water-bombing helicopters.
Four homes were destroyed in the bushfire at Bulahdelah on the weekend.
On the NSW Central Coast, arson squad and forensic officers were investigating the cause of a bushfire that destroyed 16 homes.
Fanned by high temperatures and strong winds, the out-of-control blaze swept across Koolewong on Saturday afternoon, with the flames at one point jumping a stretch of water 1km wide.
On Tuesday morning, NSW police confirmed crime scenes had been established at houses and dwellings on Nimbin Avenue, Glenrock Parade and John Street in Koolewong.
The Rural Fire Services (RFS) commissioner, Trent Curtin, said it was still unclear how the Koolewong fire started.
“We don’t want to speculate at this stage as to what the cause might be. There are many things that it may be,” Curtin said on ABC radio.
The national broadcaster reported an officer was photographed at the scene carrying a clear plastic evidence bag containing a red jerry can.
NSW police said investigations at the “active crime scenes” had been suspended due to “safety concerns” with structural engineers now engaged.
“Investigations are anticipated to recommence once the area has been declared safe by authorities,” a spokesperson said.
“As investigations remain ongoing, the NSW police force, Fire and Rescue NSW and NSW Rural Fire Service will continue operations in the area for the foreseeable future.”
Central Coast council said it was unable to comment, given the police investigation was ongoing.
In Tasmania, 19 homes were lost in Dolphin Sands.
The Tasmania Fire Service issued fresh “watch and act” advice for Dolphin Sands on Tuesday before midday.
“Although there is no immediate danger from bushfire, residents need to monitor conditions and be alert for any changes,” the service stated.
Dolphin Sands Road was to reopen to the public on Tuesday afternoon, having been closed since Thursday’s blaze.
The fire commander Jason Elmer said wind conditions had eased enough to allow safe access for local traffic.
Bushfire smoke had affected air quality down through the Central Coast to Sydney.
On Tuesday morning, air quality in the Lower Hunter, Lake Macquarie and Central Coast regions was poor, according to government monitoring. Air quality in both western Sydney and the eastern suburbs was fair.
