The Duck Creek Pilliga Forest fire between Coonabarabran and Narrabri has burned through over 28,000 hectares, with smoke from the fire reaching towns further afield. 

Last Thursday evening (7 December), a lightning strike saw three fires start across the Pilliga forest. 

While the two smaller fires have been brought under control, authorities have called in help from further afield to contain the Duck Creek fire on the Goona Creek Road, 20 kilometres south of Narrabri, as it continues to spread. 

The fire had burned 28,630 hectares at the time of writing on Tuesday afternoon 12 December, closing the Newell Highway between Coonabarabran and Narrabri. 

RFS Spokesperson Greg Allan said currently there are 88 firefighters, six aircraft and 34 trucks on the fireground.

“Currently the fire is at advice level and there’s no current threat to any communities or property,” Mr Allan said. 

“We’re putting everything onto this fire to control it as soon as possible.”

RFS, NPWS and Forestry crews have undertaken backburning operations to strengthen containment lines, with more to continue in the coming days. 

Smoke from the fire has been seen - and even smelled - as far afield as Dubbo, Goondiwindi, Gilgandra and Coonamble. 

Nearby, locals have expressed concern that the Santos gasfields in the East Pilliga forest pose a risk of explosion. 

“We’re very aware…at this stage we do not have any concerns,” RFS Incident Controller Bronwyn Waters said. 

“At the gasfields, they have all their pumps and everything turned off and have really good acid protection zones around infrastructure.”

Residents of towns over 100km away have reported smoke in the air. (Facebook: Narrabri RFS)

As the week progresses, authorities remain concerned about conditions. 

“Tomorrow the winds will switch from the Northeast round to the west and northwest with increased temperatures and likelihood of thunderstorms tomorrow evening, which is always a concern for us,” Ms Waters said.

The Newell Highway between Oxley and Kamilaroi Highways remains closed.