Several water bombing aircraft, including the 737 large air tanker the ‘Marie Bashir’ were brought in to help control two large bushfires that were ignited by lightning strikes and have been burning for the past week near Sandon and Lake Arragan.

The fire burning south of Sandon, to the east and north of Lake Hiawatha, near Minnie Water and Diggers Camp was brought under control over the weekend after ravaging more than 4010 hectares.

People camping at several campgrounds including Diggers Camp were evacuated and roads were closed to Minnie Water and Wooli during the peak of the blaze.

The fire to the north at Lake Arragan, near Brooms Head, was also brought under control by the Rural Fire Service over the weekend after burning out 514 hectares.

Brooms Head Road was closed to motorists at times when the fire and smoke caused dangerous conditions over the long weekend.

At the time of going to print, people in the Sandon, Minnie Water, Diggers Camp and Wooli areas are advised to monitor fire conditions and have a plan ready to implement if conditions escalate.