Evacuations as NSW battles multiple fires

SYDNEY: Residents and fire crews were preparing to battle multiple bushfires which had destroyed homes and surrounded towns in northern NSW as winds threatened to make the fire fronts ‘‘erratic’’ overnight.

A 6000ha bushfire at Wallangarra, near Tenterfield, went to emergency levels after 7pm last night with rural properties in its path.

‘‘The fire is large and dangerous,’’ the NSW Rural Fire Service said.

‘‘Conditions are and the fire is quickly.’’

Emergency services ordered residents in the firing line to evacuate or seek shelter.

The announcement came as firefighters gained the upper hand against another blaze at worsening spreading nearby Tabulum.

It forced the evacuation of the Jubullum Aboriginal area on Tuesday and destroyed at least three houses.

The Tabulum blaze was downgraded from emergency level but, almost 200km away, crews were unable to gain a similar victory against a blaze at Tingha which surrounded the tiny town.

The fire, which has burnt more than 12,400ha encircled the township forcing evacuations.

Some 39 bush and grass fires are active in NSW and 14 are yet to be contained.

A weather station in Grafton recorded a top temperature of 43.2degC at 3.10pm yesterday.

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a cold front is due to arrive today. — AAP