A southerly change has averted a grassfire from hitting Boorowa after it moved within 5km of the town and prompted police to evacuate homes.
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The Watershed Stud fire - now contained and brought under control by dozens of local Rural Fire Service volunteers over the weekend - burnt more than 1600 hectares in the Black Range area between Boorowa and Young.
Lightning strikes on Tuesday sparked small fires in the shire at Corringle Lane, Tower Hill and Mt Darling.
The fires, five hectares in size, were swiftly controlled by the RFS, which deployed 12 trucks, three water bombers and a helicopter.
Stock losses have been reported but figures remain unconfirmed.
Police evacuated homes on Scott St Friday afternoon as the RFS sent residents emergency alert text messages and created a Neighbourhood Safe Place in Boorowa and an Evacuation Centre in Harden.
At 4pm residents were told the fire could reach Boorowa within two hours and they should leave.
However within minutes a cool change arrived and turned the fire north, to the Douglas Gap and Murringo areas, reducing the threat to the town. One hundred and eighty firefighters worked to contain the blaze supported by three helicopters, two water bombers and 60 tankers.
An air crane travelled from Wagga Wagga to assist with firefighting efforts and RFS volunteers from Yass, Fire and Rescue NSW and Boorowa Shire Council also helped to combat the grassfire.
Firefighters, assisted by bull dozers and aircraft, took advantage of cooler conditions over the weekend to strengthen containment lines around the fire, particularly the western edges. The fire started after lunchtime on Friday, and soon ripped through hundreds of hectares as it moved eastwards.
Public liaison officer for the Rural Fire Service (RFS) in Harden Tim Carroll said it was still unknown what sparked the fire.
Andrew Dillon, RFS district manager, thanked all volunteers across the south west slopes zone and commended their well-coordinated effort on Friday.
“From my perspective the way the ground crews worked with the aircraft and helicopters was outstanding. The culmination of the aircraft and our crews is the main reason we pulled the fire up,” he said.
For future emergencies please note the evacuation centre for residents is the Boorowa Ex-Services Club.
