Wildfires ‘as bad as it gets’
EMERGENCY warnings have been issued for six fires burning in New South Wales as the Rural Fire Service faces catastrophic conditions due to hot weather.
The Gospers Mountain fire to Sydney’s northwest, the Grose Valley fire in the Blue Mountains, the Green Wattle Creek fire to Sydney’s southwest, the Tianjara and Currowan fires in the Shoalhaven region, and the Upper Turon Road fire in the central west were upgraded to emergency warning level yesterday, ahead of an expected southerly change.
Residents are being warned to be prepared to leave their homes early, while holidaymakers have been urged to reconsider their travel plans.
Changes brought by a southerly buster were starting to push through the state’s south about 2pm, bringing a big drop in temperatures in coastal areas – in some cases going from the mid-40s to low 20s – although temperatures were expected to continue increasing further west.
The RFS warned that the southerly could result in changes in fire behaviour and direction. ‘‘This will bring erratic fire conditions to the Green Wattle Creek fire. The Grose Valley fire and Gospers Mountain fires will be affected [later].’’
There were 112 fires burning across the state yesterday, with high temperatures and winds and low humidity forecast. Temperatures in the mid- to high 40s were expected for western Sydney, with strong westerly winds gusting up to 70kmh.
A catastrophic fire danger has been declared for greater Sydney, the Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions.
‘‘Catastrophic fire dangers are as bad as it gets,’’ RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said.
‘‘These are the very worst of conditions given that we’ve got a landscape with so much fire burning in it, we’ve got a recipe for very serious concern.’’
The RFS said authorities were particularly worried about the Gospers Mountain fire in the Wollemi National Park, which was yesterday upgraded to emergency warning level. It has already burned more than 450,000 hectares after joining up with two other fires to create a ‘‘mega fire’’.
The RFS said the blaze was increasing as temperatures peaked. Residents from Bilpin to Kurrajong Heights were being told to leave.
Fires were also approaching properties at Biplin.
The Green Wattle Creek fire in the Southern Highlands has also been upgraded to emergency warning level, and has caused the Hume Highway to be closed in both directions between Narellan Rd and the Illawarra Highway.
Winds were starting to pick up yesterday afternoon, with gusts reaching 50kmh.
There are fears that the Princes Highway south of Nowra could be closed because of several fires in the region, including the Currowan blaze. The RFS said it was also concerned about the Grose Valley fire in the Blue Mountains, warning that it could hit Blackheath.
Over 200 additional trucks and firefighters from NSW Fire and Rescue and RFS have been brought in. About 10,000 salaried and volunteer emergency service personnel, including police, State Emergency Service and ambulance, are expected to help to keep residents safe, the largest deployment in the state’s history.
Significant road closures are predicted, and holidaymakers are being urged to be patient.
The Great Western Highway was closed in both directions at Marrangaroo yesterday.
Authorities confirmed that one person had died and 15 homes were destroyed in South Australia as a wildfire ravaged the Adelaide Hills on Friday, just 40 kilometres from Adelaide. Another person was critically injured trying to save his home from the flames.
Around 3 million ha has burnt nationwide during a torrid past few months, with nine people killed and more than 800 homes destroyed.
The devastation has put pressure on Prime Minister
Scott Morrison, who has copped criticism for going on a family holiday in Hawaii during the wildfires crisis.
The prime minister has cut short his vacation to return home, and yesterday he apologised for ‘‘any offence caused to any of the many Australians affected by the terrible bushfires by my taking leave with family at this time’’.