The Goulds Lane, Clybucca fire, which started early this week, has been brought under control by firefighters but will continue to burn for several weeks, authorities told the Argus.
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The fire has already burnt through approximately 1346 hectares of land and will continue to spread until there is rain, NSW RFS spokesman Lachlann Ison said.
“We expect to be working on it for several weeks as the internal area of the fire will most likely smoulder indefinitely until we see some rain,” Mr Ison said.
On Monday afternoon, NSW Rural Fire Service issued a ‘Watch and Act’ warning for the fire. Strong winds created erratic fire behaviour and residents in Fishermans Reach were advised to monitor conditions and take advice from firefighters.
Fixed wing and helicopter assets attacked the out-of-control blaze along with fire tankers who managed to bring the fire down to ‘Advice’ level.
Over 80 Firefighters from NSW Rural Fire Service, National Parks & Wildlife Service and Fire & Rescue NSW, supported by three fixed wing aircraft and two helicopters, worked in windy conditions to contain the fire.
On Monday night, firefighters conducted back burning operations that secured residential properties along Davids Road and Kawana Lane.
Drivers travelling on the Macleay Valley Way and Pacific Highway were ordered to slow down because of smoke impacting the roads.
Although conditions have eased throughout the week and firefighters were able to control the blaze, crews have since struggled to access the fire which is currently burning through wetland.
For now water bombers continue to target the internal parts of the fire while crews are working along the outskirts of the blaze to consolidate containment lines and conduct back burning operations.
Fire investigators and police are yet to uncover the cause of the fire.
Moving forward, crews will take advantage of cooler conditions in the night to consolidate existing containment lines, continue back-burning and deal with any potential breakouts that might occur.
