A major fire burning between Wellington and Mudgee is contained but the race is on to mop up before temperatures rise on Wednesday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The NSW Rural Fire Service’s (RFS) all-out efforts brought the fire under control on Sunday night - and stopped it crossing the Cudgegong River.
But crews are hard at work mopping up, aware of forecasts for temperatures to reach 40 degrees on Wednesday and 36 degrees on Thursday.
“They’re trying to get the majority out by Wednesday,” RFS media liaison officer Matthew Apps said.
He said the RFS would be trying to get the fire down to the patrol phase by Wednesday, but would still have resources there in case it did break out again.
The fire, which broke out on Wednesday, has already burned more than 2730 hectares of land.
It’s been a huge effort, greatly supported by local volunteers and resources from outside the area to ensure the fire did not cross the Cudgegong River.
- NSW Rural Fire Service officer Matthew Apps
Strengthening containment lines on the eastern and southern edges of the blaze was a focus on Monday.
Mopping up actions included breaking up burning logs and wetting down areas, Mr Apps said.
The efforts came in the aftermath of the fire that had been raging from the west towards the Cudgegong River, with difficult conditions experienced late last week.
In unprecedented action on Sunday, aircraft involved in fighting the blaze flew at night for the first time.
The helicopters with infrared capabilities identified hot spots and guided crews to put them out and allowed for water bombing aircraft to attack on Monday.
Mr Apps said the use of the aircraft meant they could go straight in on Monday morning with no time delays.
There were still about 60 firefighters on the ground on Monday, including local volunteers and strike teams from the Southern Highlands and the Mid-North Coast.
Graders and excavators were also being used.
“It’s been a huge effort, greatly supported by local volunteers and resources from outside the area to ensure the fire did not cross the Cudgegong River,” Mr App said.
The RFS advised on social media there may still be smoke in the area, but to only report unattended fires.
Faye Wheeler
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
