Fire activity in the Snowy Monaro region has been minimal over the past seven days, despite extreme heat conditions, gusty, windy weather and a day of total fire ban.

There has, however, been plenty of smoke in the region from neighbouring fires in Victoria and the Far South Coast, which have had residents on edge.

Inspector at NSW Rural Fire Service Snowy Monaro District, Langdon Gould, said on Monday there are no current fires in the Snowy Monaro Local Government Area (LGA).

“People in the local area are very heightened at the moment with the Walwa/ Murray River Road fires in Victoria and the Brassknocker Fire within Wadbilliga National Park impacting the area with regards to smoke, and this will continue over the coming weeks as fire crews continue to work on these fires,” he said.

Inspector Gould added a section 44 has been declared for the Brassknockers Fire Trail fire (in the Eurobodalla and Bega Valley LGAs - approximately 20 km north-west of Cobargo).

While current incident updates from the NSW RFS refer to the fire as being under their control and in a ‘being controlled’ status, this level of management and multi-agency response typically falls under a standing or recent Section 44 declaration, which allows the NSW RFS Commissioner to take charge of significant bush firefighting operations and bring in additional resources.

At the time of print, the fire had grown to 3475ha in size and at “advice” level, with no immediate threat to properties, while it burns in rugged and remote terrain, with broad containment lines and significant back burning being undertaken in milder conditions to ensure the fire stays behind identified containment lines.

“The Walwa fire in Victoria continues to burn south of the Murray River,” Inspector Gould said.

“Both these fires will impact with easterly winds causing smoke to drift into the Monaro from the Brassknockers fire and south westerly winds will bring smoke drift from the Walwa fire.”

No personnel from the local RFS brigades have joined the fire fighting efforts in Victoria, however NSW Rural Fire Service crews from other areas are assisting, as requested by Victorian authorities.

Local crews have responded to a number of smaller fire incidents within the past several days.

At 2.28pm on 6 January the RFS received a call to attend a property on Rose Valley Road. Cooma Rural Fire Brigade quickly contained a small grass fire.

Three fires began from lightning strikes. One was on Craigie Range Road, Delegate on 9 January at 10.20am, caused by lightning strike to a tree.

The Craigie Rural Fire Brigade was on the scene and contained the fire.

NSW Forestry crews discovered a fire on Wattle Scrub Road in the Bondi State Forest on 9 January at 2.20am. The fire was contained to .47ha and had started from lightning ignition.

At 6.48pm that same day, a lightning strike caused a fire on Saddle Flaps Road in the Bondi State Forest. Forestry crews contained the fire to .05ha.

On Saturday 10 January, the day of a total fire ban, at 10.53am Cooma Fire and Rescue responded to a report of a fire to the rear of a property on the Snowy Mountains Highway at the Four Mile.

The fire was located behind one of the petrol stations in the vicinity.

It was extinguished by the brigade and the matter is currently under investigation by police.

On 11 January at 12.38pm a call was received to attend a grass fire at the side of the Monaro Highway near Rock Flat.

It is believed to have started from a cigarette butt.

The Cooma Rural Fire Brigade attended and were assisted by a landowner and passersby. The fire was contained to half a hectare.

“We remind the community that although the difficult weather conditions have ceased for the time being, dry conditions remain and with this comes the risk of fire ignition,” Inspector Gould said.

“We ask the community to stay vigilant and avoid activities that will start fires in dry grass.

“During the hot, dry and dangerous period we thank those who erred on the side of discretion and refrained from any activities that could have started a fire.”

Visit NSW RFS website, app and social media pages for the latest information.