Residents’ Relief as Storm Brings Rain to Fire Grounds

Thunderstorms which hit a major bushfire in northwest NSW have been a mixed blessing, bringing much needed rain but also making for erratic fire behaviour. While some residents welcomed the change, others faced a renewed emergency warning and were told to shelter as the oncoming fire approached. The emergency warning was issued at around 6:30pm on the evening of Dec. 19 at which point the out-of-control Duck Creek Pilliga Forest blaze was burning about 17km south of Narrabri and 21km west of Boggabri. The warning was downgraded soon after to a watch and act as heavy rain fell across the region. “Thunderstorms have moved across the fireground, initially causing some erratic fire behaviour and lightning strikes,” the Rural Fire Service said in a statement....