NSW RFS crews extinguish blaze of Mitchell Highway

The triple-0 call was received at 4.24pm on Tuesday, with firefighters from three brigades responding to the blaze at Vittoria, around 22 kilometres west of Bathurst.

“Our firefighters joined Bathurst and Perthville brigades to extinguish the fire quickly,” Eglinton Brigade posted to its Facebook page.

The blaze was around three hectares in size.

NSW Rural Fire Service Chifley/Lithgow Team operational officer Brett Taylor said the fire ignited in three separate places along the highway but it quickly merged into one blaze.

“A trailer being towed by a car started the fire,” he said.

Mr Taylor said a mechanical fault with the trailer ignited the fires.

Crews were again called to the site at 12.30am on Wednesday after winds ignited embers and smoldering logs could be seen from the highway.

THE bushfire danger period will come to an end across Bathurst, Oberon and Lithgow on April 1.

“There is no need to have a [fire] permit anymore, but you do need to contact your neighbours and the RFS,” Mr Taylor said.

RFS Inspector Mick Holland said 24 hours must be given prior to any burning.

“Penalties still apply for failing to notify NSW RFS and neighbours that you are lighting a fire and for allowing fires to escape,” he said.

“Even though the weather is cooling down, there is still the potential for fires to threaten life, property and the environment.”

Inspector Holland said if residents wish to conduct burning activities, they should ask the RFS for advice, permits and approvals and:

Deputy Captain has urged motorists to take care on the roads when emergency services personnel are around.

“When there is smoke and fire beside the road, please slow down and take care as you pass through the area,” he said.

This follows the Protect the Protectors campaign which was started by the Volunteer Fire Fighters Association and the NSW Rural Fire Service Association (RFSA).

The Daily Liberal newspaper recently reported that the campaign is pushing for the introduction of 40km/h speed limit around the scene of roadside emergencies.

The RFSA has written to the 128 local councils across NSW to inform them of the risks volunteers face and the need for action.

The campaign has already been bolstered by letters of support from a number of councils across NSW, including Mid-Western Regional Council and Bourke Shire Council.

Read more from the Daily Liberal’s report.