Trees on the Billabong Creek after being struck by lightning.
Firefighters were kept extremely busy at the weekend, after a series of fires were started at Conargo, Jerilderie and Yanco during a lightning storm on Friday afternoon.
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At about the same time the Bureau of Meteorology released a warning about damaging winds, hail and heavy rain just before 3pm, reports of smoke sightings started to be received by the Mid Murray Rural Fire Service operations centre in Deniliquin.
With perfect conditions for fires, firefighters tackled 10 separate blazes and were on alert for others all weekend.
The fire in the Conargo region was at Boonoke Station, off the Conargo Rd.
The Mid Murray RFS responded with five trucks, and more than 20 firefighters.
The fire was started by lightning strikes, and burned more than 200 hectares
There were also a number of others that had started in the Southern Riverina area, including near Jerilderie, on Wilson Rd, Billabong Creek and Yanco, on Euroly Rd.
In addition to Mid Murray RFS vehicles, heavy plant and fixed wind aircraft were used in the firefighting efforts.
When speaking to the Pastoral Times yesterday, Mid Murray RFS district coordinator Gerard James said some of the fires started during the storm were still burning but were deemed to be ‘under control’.
He said the total area burned from all 10 fires was between 7000 and 8000 acres, but luckily, there had been no injuries reported.
At about the same time, Deniliquin’s NSW Fire + Rescue firefighters were also called to action, with reports of a blaze at the Community Recycling Centre at the Deniliquin Waste Depot.
Arriving on site at 2.13pm, the brigade responded with two trucks and crew.
They sought extra assistance from the RFS, which provided one truck and crew from its Deniliquin brigade.
Edward River Council also had its water truck at hand.
The fire started and was contained to the general waste pile, and Deputy Captain Les Booth reported no injuries.
•••
Firefighters are again reminding Denilqiuin residents that rubbish fires are prohibited.
It comes after the Deniliquin NSW Fire + Rescue brigade was called to a backyard fire in west Deniliquin about 12.50am Saturday.
Started by a rubbish burn, Deputy Captain Les Booth said firefighters were on scene for about an hour.
Penalties can apply for illegal burns.
The blazes started from the lightning strikes that ripped through the area.
An aerial shot of the area damaged by the fire.
Another tree alight on the Billabong Creek.
Bushland has been decimated by the recent fires.
A shot from the side of the road following the fires.
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