THE CONTAINMENT of a bushfire at Old Bar last Sunday afternoon could have been a very different story, said NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service ranger Ian Turner.
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"The rain saved us," said Ian.
"If we hadn't had rain lately and the conditions were drier, the situation could have been much, much worse."
The 25 hectare bushfire was caused by a stolen car that had been set alight in the bushland between Follies Road and Link Road.
"It's absolute stupidity. Not only is this person a vandal but an arsonist," said Ian.
"They put the NSW Rural Fire Service and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service volunteers' lives at risk, along with the community's lives at risk too."
The car was discovered about 3pm by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
It took them and the NSW Rural Fire Service until 6pm to control the bushfire, with monitoring continuing until 10pm that night.
Ian said the NSW Rural Fire Service were able to control the northern side of the fire.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service opened up an old logging track using a grater to cut the fire off on the southern side, explained Ian.
"We have a particularly strong bond with the local NSW Rural Fire Service," Ian said.
"We get on really well and understand each other's skills and weaknesses."
Monitoring of the burnt area has continued this week.
Ian said he is constantly monitoring the local moisture conditions, and that it is starting to dry out dramatically in Taree, making for worrying bushfire conditions.
"If anyone needs to burn off their properties it's essential they contact NSW Rural Fire Service," Ian said.
