A WATER bombing aircraft and ground crews were scrambled to the scene of a fire burning in inaccessible terrain at Billywillinga following thousands of lightning strikes.
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Firefighteres from Eglinton and Bruinbun brigades, along with the Chifley/Lithgow Remote Area Fire Fighting Team, were called to the two hectare blaze which ignited in bushland around 3pm on Thursday.
Eglinton Rural Fire Brigade Deputy Captain Nathan Inwood said crews believe this blaze started from a lightning strike on Monday.
More than 12,400 lightning strikes were recorded around Bathurst by the Bureau of Meteorology on Monday, with a number igniting spot fires in logs and trees.
Lightning strikes can smoulder in trees or logs, protected from rain for days undetected.
- Eglinton RFS Deputy Captain Nathan Inwood
“Wind speed, temperature and lower humidity today [Thursday] may have contributed to the fire taking off,” Deputy Captain Inwood said.
“Lightning strikes can smoulder in trees or logs, protected from rain for days, undetected until the conditions allow for them to spread into nearby bush or grass.”
Deputy Captain Inwood said people should call triple-0 immediately if they see a fire that does not have a fire truck in attendance.
Nadine Morton
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
