The NSW Coroner has heard evidence about two lightning strikes which were likely responsible for Australia's largest recorded bushfire and a delay in the back burn that could have stopped it.
The NSW Bushfires Coronial Inquiry will spend the next two weeks examining the cause and origin of the Gospers Mountain and Grose Valley fires, in Katoomba Local Court.
The Gospers Mountain fire began on October 26 in the Wollemi National Park and destroyed 147 homes as it burned for 15 weeks during the 2019-20 fire season.
While no lives were lost, the coroner on Wednesday heard there were a number of harrowing incidents which resulted in serious injuries when fire unexpectedly impacted townships.
Planned back burn delayed
Assisting counsel Adam Casselden told the inquiry a planned back burn from Wilson's Road near Lithgow was delayed by 17 hours in December 2019.
The court heard a car was found in the line of fire and later, two bushwalkers were located.
The delay meant less favourable weather conditions when the burn began and, as a result, the fire spotted into further unburnt areas, made a run for multiple townships around the Blue Mountains area and destroyed many homes.
Mr Casselden said this was cause for concern among community members impacted by the fire, however he made it clear that the hearing would be exclusively focused on the cause and origin of the bushfire.
"The court is aware of community concern about the advance of these fires, decisions around back burning and issues around communication with local communities," Mr Casselden said.
"Representative case studies will look at these issues in the September hearings," he said.
Lightning might have struck twice
The coroner also heard the cause of the Gospers Mountain fire was most likely a lightning strike in a remote part of the world heritage listed Wollemi National Park.
Rural Fire Service investigator Peter Jones told the inquiry he believed there were two trees that were struck by lightning on October 26, 2019.
Flames were then fanned by "unprecedented fire conditions" including hot, dry and windy weather.
The coroner heard in addition to dangerous weather predictions from the Bureau of Meteorology, the fire had been regularly creating its own weather systems, making it impossible to control.
The inquiry continues.
