LIGHTNING and a large crack of thunder struck the North East causing more than five fires to break out yesterday.
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At Bonegilla, flames took hold about 4.45pm and burnt through 10 hectares of a Camp Road property in a southerly direction.
Ten trucks and 40 fire fighters were sent to the blaze which took about 30 minutes to bring under control.
Burning embers were still being blacked out at 7pm and crews spent a further two hours mopping up.
Senior station officer Lindon Bradley said they had been prepared for an outbreak.
“There has been storm activity around the state, so we were aware in our district and we are always ready in the event of a fire,” Mr Brad-ley said.
“It’s all about hitting it hard, early.
“The wind wasn’t too bad today, it fanned the fire a little bit but it wasn’t as bad as it could have been if the wind was stronger.
“We initially had air support, but had it contained fairly well before they arrived.”
A fire also burnt through 45 hectares on private property at Laceby.
Windy conditions and a lack of rain meant it took an hour for 13 tankers to bring the fire, on Wadley Lane, under control.
District 23 Duty Officer Paul Scragg said there were several other lightning strikes in the district, but they didn’t take off because of heavy rain.
Meanwhile several minor fires all caused by lightning broke out across the state.
A fire inside a plantation at Shelley on the Murray Valley Highway was called in at 6.15pm.
It only reached 15 square metres before it was extinguished.
It was followed by one at Buckland Road in Murmungee at 7.30pm.
Two trucks and 10 personnel were sent in and the blaze was quickly brought under control.
Lightning was still testing firefighters at 8pm when two fires in Tallangatta Valley began.
Duty Officer for CFA District 24 Adrian Gutsche said five trucks attended both incidents.