Mid Murray Rural Fire Service firefighters have been involved in fighting fires started during catastrophic and extreme fire conditions on Friday.
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Some members joined a multi-region NSW fire strike force to Euroa/Avenal on Friday.
Those remaining to cover fire protection at home were also kept busy, with fires in the Jerilderie and Blighty regions over the weekend.
Despite a cool change from Saturday, all brigades remain on high alert.
The largest incident in the Mid Murray Zone was at Bundure on Friday - about 33km north of Jerilderie - which burned about 230 hectares.
The blaze was supported by aircraft, heavy plant and RFS appliances from the Mid Murray, Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area and Southern Border RFS zones.
It is suspected to have originated from lightning strikes a week earlier, with high winds causing it to reignite.
A second fire in the same general area broke out on Sunday, along the Columbo Creek, also believed to have been sparked by earlier lightning.
That fire burned about 40 hectares and had local Mid Murray crews, heavy machinery and aircraft working to contain it.
Both fires remain active with crews still on the ground.
On Friday, a smaller fire ignited in the Blighty area but was quickly brought under control by local members, burning only a couple of hectares.
The regional strike team sent to Victoria on Friday included firefighters from the Mid Murray, MIA, Riverina and Southern Border RFS zones, who were active in firefighting and property protection around Yea.
At the time of going to print yesterday, there were still 10 active fires across Victoria.
Total losses since Friday are so far more than 300,000ha of land, with large-scale destruction of livestock, cropping land, and vineyards.
More than 300 structures have been destroyed, and at least one life has been lost, in the Longwood fire.
Authorities continue to monitor conditions across all fire zones in NSW and Victoria closely as hot, dry weather persists across the district.
Local fire support efforts
Elders Deniliquin and Taskers Deniliquin are both donation points for anyone wishing to support families and farmers impacted by the catastrophic fires which started on Friday.
Elders - located in ALbert St, north Deniliquin - has offered to be a drop off point.
While they cannot take cash donations, community members are invited to make purchases in store to donate, which will be sent by freight to fire affected areas.
Prompted by the impacts being felt by some of their clients in the Euroa and Yea areas, donations for any affected areas will be accepted.
On behalf of the Euro district, Taskers Deniliquin is calling on donations of hay.
“Round or square, anything is of value when you have hungry stock, as we all know,” the team at Taskers said.
“If anyone with a truck can also help by taking a load or two, that will also be greatly appreciated.
“Farming communities always help one another in times of need, and this time is now.”
The contact for hay donations on the ground at Euroa is Glen Coridas, on 0419 153 043 or glen.coridas@elders.com.au.
An aerial image of the Bundure fire. Photo by NSW Rural Fire Service.
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