More than 45 fires burn across NSW, 20 homes destroyed and firefighter killed amid worsening conditions
Sydney is blanketed in a smoke haze as the state is on high alert, with worsening bushfire conditions coming, while 45 bushfires already burn from from the mid-north coast to the Riverina.
A smoke haze has blanketed Sydney early on Tuesday morning, as the state braces for more bushfire dangers.
More than 45 bushfires are burning across NSW with a dangerous day of heat and shifting winds looming.
Twenty homes have been destroyed and a firefighter killed amid an escalating bushfire emergency.
A National Parks and Wildlife Service firefighter died after being struck by a falling tree while working on a blaze in the state’s north,
It comes as the Riverina prepares for what authorities warn will be its most perilous conditions yet, with an extreme fire danger forecast on Tuesday.
RFS spokeswoman Emily Cook said crews were concentrating their efforts on a large fire burning on both sides of the Pacific Highway at Bulahdelah, where firefighters are strengthening containment lines through backburning, waterbombing and heavy machinery.
Across the state, much of NSW is on high alert as temperatures push deep into the 30s.
Sydney is expected to hit 31C, with Penrith to reach 39C, while smoky skies settled over the Harbour on Tuesday morning, prompting health warnings for people with asthma or respiratory issues.
Further north, police have multiple crime scenes in place after devastating blazes on the Central Coast, including the Koolewong fire, which destroyed 16 homes and is being investigated as potentially deliberately lit.
Major fires still burning
Redhead (Lake Macquarie):
An 88-hectare fire continues to burn near Redhead Road, with firefighters taking advantage of cooler weather to strengthen containment lines. Temperatures are expected to surge into the high 30s on Tuesday, with north-westerly winds likely to push the fire southeast.
Koolewong (Central Coast):
The 134-hectare Nimbin Road fire continues to burn through Koolewong Reserve, Phegans Bay and Woy Woy Bay. Thermal-imaging helicopters have identified hotspots as crews strengthen containment lines. An exclusion zone remains in place and school bus routes have been altered.
Pacific Hwy, Bulahdelah (Mid Coast):
A massive 4,400-hectare blaze is burning in Myall Lakes National Park on both sides of the highway. Backburning overnight increased visible flames but allowed crews to secure edges around Nerong and Crawford River. The Pacific Highway remains open but may close without notice.
Milsons Gully (Upper Hunter):
An 11,800-hectare fire continues to burn in Goulburn River National Park near Baerami and the Bylong Valley Way, which is open only to local residents. Crews, supported by aircraft, will work throughout the day to reinforce containment ahead of expected rain later in the week.
Fire danger across NSW
Twenty-one fire weather regions across NSW remain on alert, with High danger ratings across Greater Sydney, the Illawarra, Monaro and Central Ranges, and Extreme conditions for the Eastern Riverina, where authorities are urging residents to be ready to act immediately.
Health and safety warnings
NSW Health has issued advisories for those with respiratory conditions due to smoke settling over Sydney and parts of the Central Coast. Residents near active bushfires are urged to monitor conditions, follow RFS directions, and prepare to enact their fire plans.
Sydney woke to a thick smoke haze on Tuesday morning, the result of a hazard-reduction burn in Penrith and smoke drifting from under-control bushfires at Mulgoa, and on the Central Coast at Koolewong and Kariong.
Authorities are urging the public to stay informed through Hazards Near Me, local radio and RFS updates, and to avoid flying drones near fires, which can ground firefighting aircraft.
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Originally published as More than 45 fires burn across NSW, 20 homes destroyed and firefighter killed amid worsening conditions
