It has taken more than 100 firefighters to control a large bush fire that ignited in thick scrub at Mandagery on Wednesday afternoon.
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As of 5pm Thursday, the blaze had burnt 850 hectares.
The Mid Lachlan Valley Rural Fire Service Team were called to the then out-of-control fire between Mandagery Road, Staircase Road and Cooka Hills Road at 5pm Wednesday.
15 tankers were fighting the fire Wednesday night with reinforcements coming from Cabonne.
Once it gets into these hilly areas the wind behaves unpredictably which causes erratic fire behaviour.
- Operations officer Daniel Gordon
Overnight Wednesday firefighters worked to establish a containment line with the use of heavy plant.
Crews on Thursday were building more containment lines. Two fixed-wing and one rotary aircraft were also fighting the fire.
On Thursday crews were conducting backburning operations to strengthen containment, which was supported by four graders and three bulldozers.
“We are experiencing wind that is not predicted by the Bureau,” Mid Lachlan Valley Rural Fire Service Team operations officer Daniel Gordon said on Thursday.
“Once it gets into these hilly areas the wind behaves unpredictably which causes erratic fire behaviour.
“Tonight crews will be working to establish more containment lines around properties that are under threat with the help of heavy machinery.”
The three affected roads – Mandagery Road, Staircase Road and Cooka Hills Road – were closed today and remain closed until further notice.
“This is a timely reminder how quickly a fire can start and spread in these conditions,” Mr Gordon said.
The RFS has not yet been able to confirm the fire’s cause.
Click here to view more photos from the fire at Mandagery.
