Fires burn across the region
Published Date: 03 Dec 2015
Summary
FIREFIGHTERS were called to the scene of a fire on the Mudgee Road near Wellington on Tuesday that threatened the local Transgrid substation.
The fire was one of six incidents in the Orana Region on the first day of summer.
Rural supplies businessman Russell Knott was the first on the scene of the Mudgee Road fire.
"I saw the fire and got on the phone right away and called the RFS and also a mate who is a firefighter," Mr Knott said.
When firefighters arrived on scene around 6pm the fire was only small but was burning electrical poles and threatening power lines near the station.
Police acted quickly to direct heavy traffic in the area.
"This had all the hallmarks of a South Australian-type incident. There was a major windfront on us and our teams got there quickly and were busy. It was a big one for us," Rural Fire Service Superintendent Orana region Lyndon Wieland said.
Firefighters were called to the scene of a fire on the Mudgee Road near Wellington on Tuesday that threatened the local Transgrid substation. Photo: FARREN HOTHAM.
It was the second fire in the same place and he says the RFS and police are treating the fire as suspicious.
"The Cadia ground pits and the substation were under threat,'' he said.
At Mumbil on Tarawingee Road 10 hectares also shot up in flames.
Local firefighters from all over the district fought off the fire with light rain later in the night helping stop further problems.
Another fire on Lowrie Drive not far from the Wellington Caves and the Nanima reserve also reignited but firefighters got it under control.
Mr Weiland said the public are ignoring calls for fire prevention.
"Yesterday farmers were on slashers in the middle of the day with strong winds. Why don't they understand why this can't be done in early in the morning. We are obviously not trying to stop rural people going about their business but they have to be really careful in these conditions," he said.
He said long dry vegetation was making it dangerous and sparks from a tractor near rocks will start a fire immediately.
Mr Weiland has issued warnings for the community to be fire aware and have a prevention plan in place.
Temperatures will rise again to 34 and 36 on the weekend.
