THICK smoke gave a sinister feel as it enveloped the Bombala district last Thursday afternoon, with the community’s concerns over bushfires skyrocketing as the Monaro slipped into the Catastrophic Fire Danger rating.

Very high temperatures and strong gusting winds led to the Monaro’s catastrophic status, with the conditions being considered the worst possible for bushfire risk.

Fortunately for the immediate area the smoke blanketing us on Thursday was coming from distant blazes, with bushfires burning around Cann River, Bobundra and Michelago.

It is believed that the majority of the smoke affecting the local area would have originated from the Cann River fire.

Naturally with high temperatures set to continue, and our countryside being so dry, the district is warned to be vigilant and strictly adhere to fire bans within the area.

Bush Fire Survival Plans and Bush Fire Household Assessment Tools can be found at www.rfs.nsw. gov.au, along with other fire related warnings and information.