WHERE THERE’S SMOKE: Images taken from a helicopter waterbombing the Macleay River Fire yesterday which investigators believe may have been started by an arsonist. Photo: RFS
A “person of interest” has been interviewed by Rural Fire Service forensic investigators as the battle to contain the Macleay River fire enters its 16th day.
RFS investigators from Kempsey and Coffs Harbour arrived on Tuesday to investigate the possible cause of the blaze in the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park which has since burnt out over 35,000 hectares of bush and pasture land.
RFS public liason officer Inspector Brett Loughlin said all major fires were investigated as a matter of cause and investigations were ongoing.
Firefighters from the NSW RFS, FRNSW and NPWS, supported by five aircraft and four bulldozers are fighting the fire, which has a 247km perimeter.
Ember attacks on properties around the Lower Creek area were reported on Tuesday but Inspector Loughlin said firefighters were working with local landholders to protect at-risk homes.
Inspector Loughlin said good containment lines had been established by fire crews in the past two days and “aerial incendiary” work by helicopter was being carried out on the south western side of the blaze.
Crews were backburning along Raspberry Rd and Ring of Rocks fire trail in the South West yesterday.
“It’s still an active fire but we’re starting to get a handle on it,” Inspector Loughlin said.
Fire permits remain suspended across the region today as temperatures climb in the low 30s.
Residents along Lagoon Creek, Towal Station Creek, Smith Creek and in Bellbrook have been advised that there will be increased levels of smoke which may also affect the Kempsey area.
Kempsey Rd remains closed but will be re-assessed this morning.
The Macleay River Fire is the merging of the Freds Creek and Georges Junction Fires that had merged last weekend.
The fire is burning in the vicinity of the Comara, Georges Junction, Five Day Creek, Lower Creek, Blanches Creek and Smith Creek areas.
Another fire burning near Guyra, has been contained.
The Mulligans fire, which has burnt out 3207 hectares near the Guy Fawkes National Park has been burning since late last week.
