Hay fire continues to smoulder in Peak Hill
Published Date: 01 Oct 2013
Summary
A PEAK Hill blaze that continues to burn a valuable haystack on a property just outside the town is a timely reminder of the danger associated with the fire season officially beginning today.
The haystack fire about 2 kilometres north of Peak Hill was reported to the Rural Fire Service (RFS) Mid Lachlan Valley Team on Sunday at 12.15am.
Motorists could see the smoke from the under control haystack fire on a property next to the Newell Highway on Sunday.
A crew from the RFS Peak Hill Brigade continues to monitor the haystack fire that is predicted to burn throughout this week.
RFS Mid Lachlan Valley Team community safety officer Mike Fratturo said an investigation into the haystack fire would be completed once it had burnt out.
"When it has cooled down enough there will be a fire investigation afterwards," he said.
"Really just stabbing in the dark but I think it will be later in the week before we get near it."
Two RFS engines were placed at the site as a precaution yesterday afternoon due to the forecast of wind.
Mr Fratturo said other assets on the property would be protected by the RFS until the fire burnt out.
"The only asset under threat was the haystack next to it," he said.
"The haystack was pretty full apparently there was and a significant amount of money was involved."
RFS Orana Team leader Superintendent Lyndon Wieland said haystack fires had to monitored until they burnt out.
"Haystack fires you can never put them out," he said.
Superintendent Wieland added that there had been no fires nearer to Dubbo.
"We had a quiet weekend as fire went," he said.
Property owners in the area who wish to light a fire on their land are from today required to have a fire permit approved from the local fire station or fire control centre.
People are liable should a fire escape their land and cause damage to another property.
