Fire crews hope to have the Dunns Creek fire contained by mid-morning after working all night on two fire grounds, using ground crews and bulldozers.
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Rural Fire Service (RFS) community safety officer Marty Webster said two helicopters would continue to bucket the fires today at Dunns Creek and a nearby quarry, west of Burri Road.
“We hope to have it contained by mid-morning,” Mr Webster said on Friday, September 15.
“There is still active fire, but it is in containment lines.
“Crews will be continuing to work on the fire today and over the weekend.”
The fire did not increase in size overnight on Thursday and has been held to 155 ha.
“The focus for today is making sure we have safe black edges,” Mr Webster said.
“There are a lot dangerous trees in the area and our priority for today is to make sure the fire ground is safe for our crews.
“Residents are likely to see flame and smoke for several days yet, but, please, only report any new fire.”
The Dunns Creek fire remains under investigation after a pile fire reignited in strong westerly winds on private land mid-afternoon on Wednesday, September 13.
Two bulldozers were used to dig containment perimeters on Thursday. A control line has been installed so crews can travel more easily around the quarry fire.
Mr Websters said the two helicopters taking water from Deep Creek where a boon to ground crews.
“They can deal with any flare ups really quickly,” he said.
“It takes careful coordination between the ground crews and the aircraft.”
He urged residents to stay clear.
“We really request that no members of the public go onto the fire ground,” he said.
The fire is now predominantly on state forest, spread into private land on its edges.
The quarry fire and one that started late on Wednesday afternoon in Annies Lane, Rosedale, remain under investigation, but at this stage are considered likely to be spot fires.
“We are still investigating that,” Mr Webster said.
“The two fires have been very much in the path of this (Dunns Creek) fire. The bush fuel is so dry, it would not take much of an ember to start a fire.”
However, given two arson attacks in bushland at Surf Beach in recent weeks, firefighters urge residents to report concerns.
“We ask the public to be vigilant and report suspicious behaviour to police,” Mr Webster said.
