CREWS CONTINUE TO BATTLE PILLIGA FIRE

The Rural Fire Service is hopeful it’ll contain a bush fire in the Pilliga forest within the next 48 hours.

Lightning strikes sparked three separate fires 30 kilometres from Coonabarabran on Wednesday night around 6:30.

Crews from across the North West region, including two air tankers, have been working to control the fire, which has burnt through more than 8,000 hectares of land.

Yesterday afternoon the Newell Highway was closed at Dandry between the Oxley and Kamilaroi Highways, but it was reopened this morning.

No homes are currently under threat.

(VISION/PICTURES ONLY- COURTESY OF NSW RFS)