Three Rural Fire Service (RFS) crews have been working on controlling a paddock fire at Black Pinch, just east of Barney Downs, on the Bruxner Highway around 17 kilometres east of Tenterfield which started Tuesday, May 24 afternoon.
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Superintendent Chris Wallbridge, manager of the RFS Northern Tablelands team, said the fire was due to a private burn-off getting out of control, but thanks to the quick action and hard work of the property owner the fire wasn’t as bad as it could have been.
Barney Downs, Steinbrook and Homestead RFS crews were involved in bringing the fire under control yesterday afternoon and evening, with traffic along the highway slowed but not interrupted as fires burned on both sides of the road.
The Barney Downs and Steinbrook crews returned very early this morning for further clean-up, with a total of 10 firefighters involved over the course of fighting the fire. Supt Wallbridge said there was no property damage, with around 10 hectares of grass and bush burned.
RFS crews have also been busy at Torrington National Park where around 34 hectares of bush and some private property have burned. Crews are returning today to do some backburning to bring the fire under control, with Supt Wallbridge expecting around 100 hectares to be lost before the fire is finally extinguished.
Supt. Wallbridge is also concerned about a spate of fires between Drake and Tablulam along the Bruxner Highway, particularly given the dry conditions. He is urging everyone to keep an eye out for suspicious activity and report it to police.
“And hopefully we’ll get some rain soon,” he said.
