Likely caused by spontaneous combustion, the Moonee Swamp Rd fire was so intense by the time firefighters arrived no amount of water was going to douse it.
Rural Fire Service Mid Murray Zone Superintendent Tony Whitehorn said it was allowed to burn out over the weekend, and was finally “closed off” yesterday morning.
“We were not able to save it because it was so fully involved,” Supt Whitehorn said.
“The call came in about 2.10pm Friday, and we had the Deniliquin and Birganbigil brigades and the bulk water tanker from Mid Murray Support.
“Deniliquin Fire + Rescue New South Wales also provided assistance.
“The firefighters left at 4.30pm, but there were inspections and patrols throughout the weekend.
“I was out there myself this morning and there’s not much more coming off it now,” Supt Whitehorn said yesterday.
Firefighters started off by putting water on the hay and the large shed, but Supt Whitehorn said it soon became clear it was a “wasted effort”.
“We just had to make it safe and make sure it was contained, and let it burn out.
“There was already a bit of a break in place around the shed, and given the weather predictions for the weekend we knew it was not going to escape.”
While no longer burning, Supt Whitehorn said some traces of smoke may still be seen in the Moonee Swamp area.
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