VIOLENT THUNDERSTORMS.
Lightning struck a tree during a thunder- storm on Wednesday night, causing a fire, which burnt off about 250 acres of grass on Springfield Station, between Canberra and Yass, and for a time seriously threatened the homestead. Nearly 50 firefighters had to be called in before the flames could be brought under control; smouldering embers were still causing occasional outbreaks.Although the outbreak at first appeared insignificant, a sudden change in the wind bought the flames roaring over half a mile of territory towards the homestead. Firefighters worked through the greater part of the night to keep the fire in check.
A fire on the Canberra golf links towards evening threatened many acres of territory, and the firemen, wielding sacks and branches, worked strenuously in fierce heat for about half an hour to keep the flames from spreading. Then there was a sudden thunderstorm, and 24 points of rain fell in less than ten minutes.
CANBERRA THREATENED.A bushfire, on the north-western border of the Federal Capital Territory, is causing some anxiety in the Federal Capital, as a strong westerly wind would seriously endanger the city. Reports received late tonight indicate that there is a good prospect of keeping the flames within bounds.
The Administration is taking every possible precaution, and a line of men is guarding the danger zone on the eastern bank of the Murrumbidgee River, while others have gone to the assistance of settlers who are fighting the fire on the southern and eastern borders.
Should the fire spread to the eastern side of the Murrumbidgee River, with a strong westerly wind behind it, it would be a very difficult task to save the city. About 100 men are fighting the outbreak, which is the most serious of a number which have occurred about the Territory in the last few days.
Large areas of grassland and many valuable station properties in the west and south are still menaced by widespread bushfires great numbers of sheep have perished in the flames.
Canberra yesterday became the chief danger centre fanned by a fierce westerly wind, the flames threatened to extend to the Federal capital city, and menaced the valuable afforestation areas of the territory. A change of wind stopped the fire at the western bank, of the Murrumbidgee River.
Fires are raging over a large area of the west, and have already burnt out extensive territory south of Cobar and north to within 40 miles of Wilcannia, 120 miles away In the south most fires have been subdued, but extensive outbreaks are reported from the ir- rigation area.
Hopes for the conquest of the fires are now centred in the possibility of rain Light rain fell over a large area about Cobar last night, and at many places in Riverina.
CANBERRA'S DANGER.All the resources of the very extensive fire fighting organisation which has been built up by the Federal Capital Territory Administration, in anticipation of just such an emergency, were needed to prevent the bushfire raging on the western side of the Murrumbidgee, about 15 miles north-west of Canberra, from leaping the river and sweeping down on the city.
No difficulty was anticipated in holding the fire in check, provided the weather remained calm, but a strong westerly wind sprang up soon after noon to-day The effect was to send the fire in the direction of the river, and greatly to inciease the work of the firefighters, who were extinguishing the outbreaks on the eastern bank caused by sparks.
At a time when it seemed that the fire must become uncontrollable a change in the wind late this afternoon saved the situation by throwing the flames back on the territory which had already been burnt. Although the fire was under control to-night there was constant danger of fresh outbreaks, which officials admit must continue for at least a week.
About 4000 acres of grass and timber country have been destroyed and it is reported that 100 head of sheep have been lost.
The fire burned down to the water's edge for several miles along the Murrumbidgee The eastern bank of the river gorge, which is heavily timbered, was In this area a wall of flame and presented an awe-Inspiring sight The effect to-night was even more weird since although the light undergrowth had been burnt away, many trees were still erect and stood out against the black background as flaming pillars.
The damage so far has been to property owned by the Ashton brothers, of Goulburn, on which many hundreds of acres of valuable grass have been destroyed Settlers from the district are battling strenuously to prevent the further spread of the flames and, according to reports received in Canberra to-day, have been fairly successful.
The area about Tea Drinking Creek has been burnt out The principal properties threatened are Jeir station, of 15,000 acres owned by Mr P J Magennls, and Glenwood station of about 10 000 acres owned by Mr J V Hibberson.