Out-of-control scrub blaze near Wonga
Published Date: 10 Apr 2013
Summary
The Young Witness
An escaped permit burn turned into an out-of- control scrub blaze on Monday night, lasting more than two hours.
Six Rural Fire Service tankers and 24 volunteers from four brigades – Young, Boara, Wambanumba and Maimuru – were called to the fire on a property near Wonga Homestead on Moppity Road at 6.45pm.
It took firefighters until midnight to consider the blaze – which had consumed more than 10 hectares of crop stubble and trees – safe to hand over to the property owner.
No crop or stock losses have been reported.
The RFS duty officer at the time, David Nicholson, said the fire got into heavy timber, the reason why it took them a long time to put it out.
"It was out of control until about 8.30pm-9pm and then it took until midnight to deem it safe," he said.
The blaze has compelled the RFS Fire Control Centre to urge local property owners to be vigilant when burning off their paddocks.
"Just a reminder to all that permits are still being issued until the end of April," Mr Nicholson said.
"Permit holders have to be vigilant with their permit requirements as we've had many escaped burns," he said.
The permit requirements include ensuring sufficient fire breaks around the paddock, owners must have a firefighting appliance of some sort, people can't light fires until after midday, they must give neighbours 24 hours notice, they cannot burn on Sundays or public holidays and must notify the control centre.
For enquiries about permits, people can contact the RFS Fire Control Centre in Harden on 6386 3170.
