A bush fire that broke out Saturday afternoon 11 February on a property 25km west of Hermidale on the Barrier Highway has been contained, authorities have now confirmed. 

“It is all but out now,’ said acting Zone Manager of the North-West Rural Fire Brigade, David Nicholson.

“Landowners have been putting grader breaks around it to make it secure so it’s very well contained and is going to stay that way,” he advised. 

The blaze burned through 342 hectares of private property, coming perilously close to a farm house. 

“It did come close to threatening a farm house and I believe the cause was farming practice; I believe they were raking up sticks,” said Mr Nicholson.

With hot, windy days forecasted for Hermidale and surrounds through this week and into the weekend, Mr Nicholson is urging landholders, in particular, to be on high alert.

The fireground at Hermidale. IMAGE: North West RFS

“Keep an eye on the weather because we are getting some hot windy days towards this weekend so just be careful when using machinery in paddocks to make sure you don’t start a fire,” he said. 

“If someone does start a fire, however, ring triple 000 and report it to them immediately.”

Ten firefighting units from Nyngan and surrounding brigades were called on to bring the Hermidale fire under control.

Mr Nicholson also advised that burning permits will be suspended while ever the fire danger rating is high or above.