Mid Murray Rural Fire Service Inspector Doug Adamson said even though it has been at least two weeks since lightning was last seen in the district, fires caused by strikes can still pop up at any time.
And while Wednesday’s brief storm did not appear to include lightning, Insp Adamson could not safely guarantee there were no strikes in the region.
The warning comes after a tree fire spread into a crop and burned more than 90 hectares at Womboota on Sunday.
The tree had been burning at least a week before it was spotted.
‘‘The tree fire was caused by a lightning strike and appeared to have been smouldering for days,’’ Insp Adamson said.
‘‘The landholders had the fire mostly out, when it got away from them.
‘‘It got into a nearby crop and took off, burning about 92 hectares before the Rural Fire Service crews were able to pull it up.
‘‘We had the Womboota, Thyra, Bunnaloo and Moama brigades in attendance.’’
Insp Adamson said firefighters were called to the property about 2.45pm Sunday, and had the fire fully contained by 6pm.
Monitoring of the area continued until Tuesday in case of any flare ups.
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