Wind whip wild sparks into flames across Riverina

Yesterday's fire danger rating was declared catastrophic by the Rural Fire Service (RFS) and infernos blazed from Conargo in the west, to Jugiong in the east.

Tension was high with a series of emergency warnings issued after grass fires were quickly whipped into a frenzy by strong winds.

Late last night it was confirmed at least one property had been destroyed near Jugiong after a rapidly moving fire sparked the emergency.

No other homes had been lost in the region after firefighters put in a mammoth effort to protect houses under siege.

RFS Riverina media liaison officer Matthew Apps said weather conditions had been some of the worst he'd ever seen.

"The fire conditions we've seen today are probably unprecedented," he said yesterday.

"The amount of fires that have started are the most we've seen for probably 30-40 years or more."

A grass fire east of Alfredtown caused concern when it sprung up along Wokolena Road about 3.30pm, with an emergency warning issued and text messages sent out to residents.

It took firefighters several hours to get on top of and late yesterday it was in the process of being controlled, Mr Apps said.

"We've still got resources on the Wokolena fire and we're now bringing in resources from outside the district," he said last night.

The Wokolena fire had burned through more than 140 hectares as of last night.

A small fire also broke out at a hangar at RAAF Base Wagga but was quickly contained.

Other major fires in the region broke out at Corbie Hill between Leeton and Narrandera and at Moonbria Road between Conargo and Jerilderie, where more than 2500 hectares of land was burned out. A fire at Matong which broke out last night was closely watched.

Memories of the 2006 fires came flooding back for Junee residents as a fire broke out on Edgar Street yesterday afternoon. It was quickly contained.