Ferocious bushfire threatens homes 6\dne\
$86T5$/,$ - $ “ferocious” bushfire that led to evacuations in parts of 6ydney¶s southwest and burnt through 2,500 hectares has affected properties, according to the Rural Fire Service. <esterday afternoon an RFS spokesman confirmed that firefighters on the ground had reported some property damage in the western parts of 0enai and %arden 5idge. 6trong winds had pushed the flames north and east towards suburban streets on 6unday afternoon as 15 firefighting and reconnaissance aircraft joined the operation.
The RFS was unable to confirm the extent of the damage or the number of properties affected.
6pokesman Greg $llan said assessment crews were not yet able to gain access and see what kind of damage or the number of properties involved.
“We have had reports of impact on properties in west 0enai and %arden 5idge but our crews at the moment are solely focused on fighting the fire,” he said.
The bushfire had already burned through the Holsworthy military range in 6ydney¶s southwest on 6unday, and homes abutting a nearby forest were believed to be at risk as high winds increased the risk from burning embers. There had been no reported injuries or homes confirmed lost as yet.
The Holsworthy blaze was downgraded to watch and act alert at 5.30pm with the RFS stating “a bushfire is travelling in a northeasterly direction towards the Georges river near $lfords Point and 0enai.”
The RFS commissioner, 6hane Fitzsimmons, said earlier on 6unday afternoon that although there had still been no property damage or serious injury from the blaze, the “volatile, dynamic, and dangerous” fire was posing a serious challenge for the 500 firefighters on the ground. “We are seeing the fire behave very aggressively,” Fitzsimmons said. “Whilst the damage has been extremely limited, and >there has been@ nothing too serious in terms of injury, we¶ve got many hours still today to go >and@ with the amount of fire-front right up in and around properties we hope that it stays that way.”
(The
Guardian)