Extreme warning for fires in NSW

TIRED NSW firefighters were continuing to grapple with dangerous conditions and soaring temperatures around the state yesterday as almost 100 bushfires raged, including four at emergency level to the west and south of Sydney.

Three fires near the state’s south coast had by yesterday afternoon prompted an emergency warning, causing headaches for 1700 firefighters in the field. An additional emergency warning was declared in the afternoon for the persistent 411,000ha Gospers Mountain fire burning out of control on multiple fronts in the Wollemi National Park.

Extreme fire danger warnings were in place for the Greater Sydney, Illawarra-Shoalhaven and Southern Ranges regions, while temperatures above 40C were expected statewide yesterday and tomorrow.

A statewide total fire ban will remain in place until at least midnight tomorrow and Premier Gladys Berejiklian yesterday declared a weeklong “state of emergency”, granting special powers to the Rural Fire Service.

RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said fire behaviour would be erratic due to volatile winds.

“Whilst (yesterday) is going to be a very bad day, dangerous day here in NSW, the forecast is that (tomorrow) will be even worse, so we’re talking about very dangerous conditions over the coming days,” he said.

Mr Fitzsimmons said the main concerns yesterday were fires surrounding Ulladulla and Batemans Bay on the south coast, particularly the 100,000ha Currowan fire, as well as blazes behind the Warragamba Dam.

Both the Currowan fire and the Green Wattle Creek fire behind the dam were raised to emergency level yesterday.

The RFS said the 156,000ha Green Wattle Creek fire had crossed the railway line near Balmoral and advised people there – as well as in Buxton, Couridjah, Thirlmere, Tahmoor, Bargo and Yanderra – it was too late to leave. Three homes in the Balmoral area were destroyed.

The out-of-control Tianjara fire burning east towards Hyams Beach was also burning at emergency level and people in Jerrawangola and Wandandian were urged to seek shelter.

Air quality was hazardous or very poor across parts of the state yesterday, and visibility levels across much of the Sydney basin were at hazardous level.

THE FORECAST IS THAT (TOMORROW) WILL BE EVEN WORSE, SO WE’RE TALKING ABOUT VERY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS.

SHANE FITZSIMMONS