News

‘Illegal’ burns escape

By Eamon Kurta

Mar 16, 2026

Crews from the Mid Murray Rural Fire Service and NSW Forestry Corporation responded to a tree alight in the Perricoota Forest at the weekend, after yet another abandoned campfire ignited surrounding vegetation.

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The tree continues to burn internally and is being monitored by Forestry Corporation staff.

The RFS has issued a reminder that a solid fuel fire ban remains in place in the forest, introduced specifically to prevent “incidents of this kind”.

“Fire authorities are reminding all campers to fully extinguish their fires before leaving, ensuring they are cold to the touch,” Mid Murray RFS district coordinator Gerard James said.

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An escaped burn is thought to be the cause of a roadside blaze in the Blighty are on Saturday night.

The Mid Murray RFS said the was an “illegal agricultural burn” nearby, which was allegedly left unattended.

The fire travelled about 500m on the roadside, damaging about 50 trees, the RFS reported.

Investigations into the incident are continuing.