Pilliga’s recently reintroduced species have escaped scot-free from the recent Duck Creek fire, as the blaze slows to ‘Patrol’ status. 

After burning more than 138,000 hectares, firefighting crews are patrolling the fireground to continue extinguishing any hotspots as they may appear. 

Following over three weeks of burning, the Pilliga Nature Reserve, Pilliga East State Conservation Area, Bibblewindi State Forest, Jacks Creek State Forest, Pilliga East State Forest, and Willala Aboriginal Area were affected.

While the full impact of the burn is still to be measured, a spokesperson from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service confirmed that reintroduced bilbies, bettongs, Western Quoll, Plains Mouse, an Western Barred Bandicoot were unharmed in the fires.

"The Feral Predator Free Area (FPFA) is not currently under threat from and has not been affected by the recent Duck Creek Fire in Pilliga State Conservation Area.”

“The presence of maintained fire trails on either side of the perimeter fence has created a buffer around the enclosure,” the spokesperson said. 

The buffer protected a project that has been running since 2018, reintroducing species to the Pilliga that hadn’t been seen there in 100 years. 

The bilbies were reintroduced to the Pilliga in 2018. (Image: AWC)

The loss of wildlife within the fireground’s perimeter remains to be seen. 

NSW RFS has asked people to stay clear of fire affected areas without a genuine reason to be there to ensure the safety of public and fire crews. 

State Forests and National Parks in the Pilliga area are closed to the public.