A group officer from the NSW RFS Lower North Coast says a Crescent Head Road fire started by a lightning strike and not by any other cause.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Members of the RFS were called to the Crescent Head fire on Sunday, February 2 at 8pm and worked on it through dark conditions.
Paul Bourne said community rumours suggested the fire started in another manner, but he said that's simply not true.
"There appears to be a myriad of stories going around about the fire on Crescent Head Road," Mr Bourne posted on social media.
"The fire was started by a lightning strike during last night's (Sunday) storm."
RFS Lower North Coast Superintendent Lachlann Ison is warning a bushfire crisis could strike again this season and is urging people to remain vigilant.
Supt Lachlann Ison said he still holds real concerns for the coastal locations of the Macleay region, where there is a particularly strong risk of bushfire flare-ups. This is because the environment is so dry.
Mr Bourne said the vegetation at the Crescent Head Road fire was extremely thick and firefighters could hardly walk through it.
"There was also no shortage of snakes," he said.
During the night the fire moved into inaccessible ground, which could only be reached by heavy machinery through constructing a track.
On Monday, February 3 firefighters used the method of back burning as a control measure to contain the fire, after the wind increased and the blaze headed towards Crescent Head Road.
Mr Bourne wants people to know the fire was not a hazard reduction burn and the RFS will not conduct any burn off until the region has received significant rain.
On Tuesday, February 4 the 13 hectare fire was listed as under control.
For more information, please visit the Fires Near Me website.
What else is making news?
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Macleay Argus. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, SIGN UP HERE.
