Help with housing Helicopter called in to help fight tip fire

Cobar Fire and Rescue Station 256 crews responded to a fire at the Cobar Waste Depot (Cobar Tip) on Friday morning.

Station 256 acting captain, Alex Lennon said when crews arrived around 8am, they found the main dumping area well alight.

He said the large job required the team work of many resources over the day and they worked alongside the Rural Fire Service Cobar Headquarters Rural Fire Brigade and Cobar Shire Council.

Acting captain Lennon said they were also lucky to have the use of a water bombing helicopter, which was currently in the area helping with a bushfire.

“It had the ability to knock the fire down quicker which reduced the amount and time the toxic smoke was being produced,” he said.

“We were able to bring the blaze under control five hours later at approximately 1pm.

“Following this, is the lengthy clean up and preparing our resources again for the next call out.

“These incidents can be avoided.

“We would like to remind everyone of the importance of dumping rubbish in the correct sections,” acting captain Lennon said.

“It not only helps in preventing the fires, but makes it a little safer for us when we’re fighting any fires that occur at the tip.”