RURAL fire service members have been kept very busy in the past week battling fires on a number of fronts. Volunteers have been battling blazes at Deepwater, Dundee and at Nymboida near Wytallibah as well as assisting in back burning operations to contain a fire in the Nymboida National Park which has been burning for four days. This operation saw the Gwydir Highway closed from 6pm last night to 6am at night as part of the suppression operation.
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Rural Fire Service community safety officer Scott Keelan said recent lightning storms caused the fires.
“Since the lightning storms came through the area we’ve had four fires around Glen Innes, two at Deepwater, one at Dundee, and one at Nymboida near Wytalibah,” he said.
“We look after Tenterfield and Inverell and we have had volunteers also fighting a large fire around the Paddy’s Flat area.”
There is also a large fire burning just over the border around the Ballandean area which local members are being recruited to go and assist in extinguishing.
“The Ballandean fire is currently in Queensland but we are currently organising volunteers from Glen Innes and Inverell to go and help out on the weekend because there is a chance that fire could head towards and into NSW.”
NSW Rural Fire Service superintendent Chris Walbridge advises people to take appropriate precaution at this present time with bushfires still blazing in the area and hot dry conditions continuing.
“This includes keeping doors and windows closed, removing washing from clothes lines and making sure pets are kept in a protected area,” he said.
“Motorists in the area should slow down and take extra care if driving through smoke, keep windows up and turn their headlights on.”
Mr Keelan said RFS volunteers would encourage people to be mindful of the dry conditions and if they are travelling or are on the land to keep up to date with the status of bushfires in the area.
“We would encourage people to download the Fires Near Me app. It’s in real time so all the information and mapping I put up on the website goes straight through to that app. Its only minutes behind what is really happening with each fire.”
Alternatively people can check the RFS website or call the Bush Fire Information line on 1800 679 637 for up to date information.