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February 23, 9am
Crews are still working to control a fire in Nattai National Park.
The blaze appears to have started after a lightning strike during bad weather on February 18.
Rural Fire Service (RFS) Inspector David Stimson said National Parks and Wildlife Services staff continued to work on the fire’s hot spots, supported by local RFS teams.
National Parks and Wildlife Services have four Remote Area Firefighting Team (RAFT) groups working on the site today, supported by an RFS RAFT team.
“They’ve kept the fire contained to the 32 hectares,” Inspector Stimson said.
In total, there are about 20 people working to control the fire.
It is till expected the fire will be contained by the afternoon of February 23.
February 22, 4pm
Lightning is believed to have started a fire in the Nattai National Park on Sunday.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service staff responded to the blaze near Upper Douglas Creek, west of Buxton and Hill Top, on Sunday morning.
Local Rural Fire Service crews were called in to assist National Parks and Wildlife Service staff later in the day.
RFS Inspector David Stimson said a pilot flying above the location reported the fire at about 11am on Sunday, February 19.
By Wednesday, February 22, the fire had burnt 32 hectares but was under control.
“It is not affecting houses, it is very remote,” he said.
“National Parks and Wildlife Service has been water bombing it for a couple of days and there are only a few hot spots remaining.
“National Parks and Wildlife will monitor it overnight and are hopeful to have it contained by February 23.”
Fire fighting crews could not access the fire on the ground because of the terrain and remote location.
“National Parks and Wildlife Services sent out its Remote Area Firefighting Team (RAFT) to do an assessment in a helicopter,” Mr Stimson said.
“They commenced water bombing with aircraft for a few days before getting RAFT crews in on February 22.
“There are now 16 people who have walked or been winched into the fire ground. That includes 12 National Parks and Wildlife Service employees and four Rural Fire Service personnel.”
Mr Stimson said the suspected cause of the fire was lightning.
Nearby communities were notified of the fire but Mr Stimson said they did not have anything to worry about.
“They may have seen some smoke,” he said.
National Parks and Wildlife advises the public not to enter any closed area or areas with fire.
For more information about fire safety in parks and reserves, click here.