Twenty-five fire crews will today attempt to contain a fire within a pine plantation south of Casino that has so far burnt out 400 hectares.
The blaze, which is burning along Robinsons Road near Whiporie, resulted in the Summerland Way being closed for a short time yesterday as crews battled to keep the fire contained.
Northern Rivers Rural Fire Service zone manager, Superintendent Michael Brett said although the Summerland Way had since been reopened, travellers should be wary of smoke causing reduced visibility along the road.
Supt Brett said there was no danger to private property but a significant portion of the pine plantation had been destroyed in the blaze.
He said firefighters today would be attempting to keep the fire to the east of the Summerland Way, with aircraft laying down fire-retardant to stop its progress north.
‘There is still a significant amount of work to do to get this fire contained and at best, there will be weeks of patrolling to keep it contained,’ he said.
Supt Brett said many of the firefighters would be forsaking time with their families over the Christmas break to keep the fire contained.
‘Let’s hope for some significant rain that is not forecasted at the moment to give them a rest,’ he said
‘People living in this area need to keep up to date and remain vigilant’.
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