To date, the fire has burned more than 15,000 hectares of bush across private property, National Park and State Forest.

Thunderbolts Way was closed in both directions between Barrington and Nowendoc on Sunday, February 12.  Motorists were advised to avoid the area and use the Oxley Highway instead. The road remained closed for two days.

The Rural Fire Service (RFS), who are coordinating the response between themselves, National Parks and Wildlife Services and Forestry Corporation, say more than 80 firefighters attended the field last weekend.

“We have 45 firefighters attending today,” an RFS spokesperson told the Walcha News yesterday.

“The fire is contained, and we are winching in and out remote area fire teams who are direct attacking the hot spots to prevent reignition.”

Nine aircraft are in use across the region which covers Barnards/Giro, Howes Creek and Mount Mooney Trail.

Thousands of hectares of private property have been burnt so far, but there have been no assets lost.

While much of the Walcha Shire received rain over the weekend, only 5mm fell on the fireground.

“All it did was delay our response as the tracks were too wet and it made flying aircraft in difficult,” said the spokesman.

“We either need substantial rain or no rain to get the job done.”