Parkes Tyre and Hay Fire
Published Date: 16 Sep 2019
Summary
This afternoon at about 4pm our office received the first of many 000 calls to a large grass fire about 8km east of Parkes on the Henry Parkes Way.
Three RFS stations (5 tankers) and Fire and Rescue NSW Station 417 Parkes was activated to respond.
First arriving crews were confronted with a large column of black smoke coming from a pile of tyres and a large pile of bales of hay alight.
Crews worked together to contain the fire and protect surrounding assets.
Central West Police District Parkes Station attended with Parkes Shire Council to help with traffic control as the smoke was causing issues on the Henry Parkes Way.
A hay and tyre fire which started on a property 10km east of Parkes on Monday was still smoldering on Tuesday afternoon.
Rural Fire Service deputy group captain Scott Baker told the Champion Post initial reports of the fire were made at 4pm on Monday afternoon.
First arriving crews were confronted with a large column of black smoke.
Numerous 000 calls were made after this time as the thick black smoke from the fire was clearly visible from Parkes.unmerous triple o calls after that call.
Mr Baker said police are continuing investigation into the cause of the fire which destroyed about 100 bales of hay and tonnes of tyres.
"It is still smoldering, brigades are still attending," Mr Baker said on Tuesday despite fire fighters being assisted by 6mm of rain overnight.
"Crews and numerous trucks were on site until 10pm Monday night," Mr Baker said.
"We had five fire trucks from RFS and fire and rescue NSW Parkes station also attended.
"All up we had about 25 fire fighters on the ground."
The crews worked quickly to contain the fire and stop it spreading into nearby bush land and silos.
Mr Baker said the brigades took all precautions in regards to the black smoke emanating from the fire.
The Henry Parkes Way, leading to Orange, was placed under traffic control by Parkes Police and Parkes Council due to the smoke blocking visibility.
The fire was the second in a week in Parkes with Parkes Headquarters along with Fire and Rescue NSW Station 417 Parkes called to a grass fire in Nash Street on September 8. The fire was quickly extinguished and both units returned to station
Mr Baker has reminded Parkes residents that while the official fire season does not start until October 1 there are a number of steps that need to be taken if you wish to burn.
These include notifying your neighbours 24 hours in advance.
Your neighbours may be exposed to the smoke and may need to make preparations to avoid any negative impacts (medical conditions, impacts on sensitive crops, livestock and pets).
At least 24 hours before burning, you must also notify your the Mid Lachlan Valley Rural Fire Services in Forbes on (02) 6851 1541. They will record the information and monitor weather conditions.
