Originally published November 6, 1951
MORE than 50 square miles of valuable grazing land, timber and wheat was destroyed in a bush fire which swept country north of Morkalla.
Started by a flash of lightning about 7.30am, the fire was still burning steadily on Ned’s Corner at 10pm.
More than 200 fire fighters, including police, forestry officers, wheat farmers and station hands fought the blaze.
The fire began in the north western corner of Ned’s Corner Station and soon spread to the border fence along Berribee Station.
Several firefighters had narrow escapes as they tried to turn the blaze.
It was the worst fire in the history of the Millewa.
Damaging winds were a mixed blessing for firefighters.
While it helped some it almost trapped others.
The biggest handicap for the men fighting the fire were the enormous clouds of dust which covered the area and blotted out the tell-tale smoke piles which indicated fresh outbreaks.
An estimate of the damage caused has not been fixed, but the value of sheep feed, wheat and property lost would exceed 10,000 pounds.
Strong squads of firefighters tried to control the fire in the early stages, but fanned by a strong wind it gradually made its way to the Sturt Highway.
It appeared that the fire would be beaten at this point about 10.30am, but burning turnip weed, bowling along in balls of fire, bounced across the highway and caught in long grass.
Fanned by a north wind which had then reached 70 miles an hour, the fire rushed through the long grass and wheat country.
The fire destroyed a group of large sheds in which were stored tractors and other farming equipment.
With a strong wind still forcing it along, the fire swept south and threatened the township of Morkalla.
Only a change of wind swung the fire away from the town, but caused a fresh outbreak to the east.
Working on a five-mile front, three gangs patrolled the line of the fire and put out fresh outbreaks.
Gangs of men equipped with mobile pumps were successful in controlling the blaze.
