Predicted weather conditions for Friday 13 January 2017 resulted in a Total Fire Ban being declared for the Local Government Areas of Hilltops and Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Councils today.
NSW Rural Fire Service South West Slopes Zone Fire Control Officer Andrew Dillon reminded residents in the communities that if they saw smoke, to ring 000 immediately.
The Twin Towns of Harden Murrumburrah were hit with 3 separate fires this afternoon with over 50 hectares burnt before the blazes were brought under control.
Several businesses including Harden Automotive, Ho-Cl Oils and Maddens Refrigerated Transport (Aurville) were assisted by trucks in defence of their properties.
The first fire started adjacent to the turn off to Demondrille Merino Stud around 1pm. It is believed that it was sparked by a train due to the proximity of the burnt area to the railway line.
A secondary blaze was sparked soon after on the Back Demondrille Rd with embers blamed, due to the strong westerly wind. Gusts of up to 50 kilometres an hour were recorded.
The third blaze started to the north of the Murrumburrah showground and was also sparked in close proximity to the railway line.
A town wide emergency message was phoned through to residential land lines warning residents of a possible evacuation soon after the fires commenced.
It took fire fighters 2 hours to bring the 3 fires under control with the assistance of 2 planes and a helicopter.
Light rain fell for a few minutes just after 3pm assisting fire fighters to extinguish the fires.
Temperatures have now cooled off
Crews continue to mop up at the 3 locations.
MORE TO COME INCLUDING VIDEO SOON
