The Brassknocker Fire Trail blaze, seen from the sky during firefighting efforts. Photo: NSW RFS.
Backburning is being used to help control fire burning across a national park, as Snowy Mountains and Riverina residents are asked to watch for smoke and embers.
The Brassknocker Fire Trail blaze within the Wadbilliga National Park (north-west of Cobargo) was first reported to authorities last Wednesday (7 January), and is believed to have been ignited by dry lightning.
As of midday on Monday (12 January), the fire has burned through more than 2,300 hectares, according to the organisation’s Fires Near Me database.
Public liaison officer Marty Webster said the breaking of last week’s heatwave has meant they could start backburning through areas near the fire to remove some fuel.
The terrain – previously burnt in the 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires – is “particularly thick and dense” re-growth forest and inaccessible to firefighters.
“We’ve worked through all the options available to us and this is the best one,” he told Region.
“Our aim is to still keep it as small as we possibly can, but in this instance, there’s a lot of country between the burning edge and [our] containment lines.
“We need to take the fuel out … and give us the ability to patrol from safe spaces.”
He confirmed the RFS still hadn’t received reports of any damage to private property from the blaze.
Firefighters are working to finish the backburning before forecast rain arrives later this week.
“Things are progressing well,” Mr Webster said of their progress.
“We’re on target, but we are aware of there being a window of opportunity to get this stuff done before the rain.
“We’re working on it as hard as we can to achieve as much as we can.”
Mr Webster described the backburning as being a “really well-coordinated event” and a “really positive vibe” at the fireground in the Wadbilliga National Park.
“The crews are working hard, but it’s really nice to be on the front foot and attacking this fire aggressively, compared to having to be more defensive when the fire conditions were worse.
Meanwhile, the NSW RFS’s Fires Near Me database states several fires in the state’s south – including fires at Candelbark Road in Gungonia, Mayfield Road at Narrawa and the Hume Highway near Coolac – are listed as under control.
A blaze near Mayfield Road on the Kings Highway (near Majors Creek) is also currently being controlled.
In their latest alert on Monday morning, the NSW RFS states a bush fire in the Mount Lawson National Park area (about 50 kilometres east of Albury) is still burning.
The blaze remains south of the Murray River and is not currently threatening properties in NSW.
“As wind changes move across the fireground, smoke will continue to be visible across broad areas,” it states.
People living in parts of the Snowy Valleys and Riverina’s south and east (such as Khancoban, Ournie, Welaregang, Tooma, Greg Greg and Bringenbrong) should watch out for smoke and embers.
Firefighters are actively monitoring the area between Talmalmo and Jingellic, while Jingellic South Road (Jingellic Bridge) is closed between River Road and Holbrook Road.
NSW residents are also asked not to travel south into Victoria between Wymah Ferry Road and Bringenbrong.
Mr Webster said that while residents near the Brassknocker Fire Trail fire would continue to see smoke over the next few days, this shouldn’t be cause for alarm.
“If they see an increase in smoke, it’s most likely to be the rest of our back-burning activities, which have been carefully designed … and implemented by experienced practitioners.”
urged anyone struggling with trauma from past fires, including the 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires, to reach out.
“We really encourage people to seek the support of others and to acknowledge that distress, seek appropriate help,” he said.
If this story has raised any issues for you, you can call Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis support line on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call Triple Zero.
People can check if their bushfire survival plan is adequate by downloading the NSW RFS guide. Report all unattended fires to Triple Zero (000).
