Duck Creek Pilliga bushfire near Narrabri upgraded to emergency level

Residents have been told to take shelter after an out-of-control bushfire was upgraded to an emergency level in NSW’s northwest.

NSW residents have been told it’s too late to leave as an out-of-control bushfire was upgraded to emergency level in the state’s northwest.

The Duck Creek Pilliga fire near Narrabri has ripped through more than 120,000 hectares and threatens to intensify on Thursday.

Narrabri Shire Council’s Mayor Darrell Tiemens spent the night alongside RFS crews battling the ferocious blaze and said the entire community has rolled up their sleeves to help out.

“It’s going really well, the community has rallied together and everyone has done an amazing job helping each other out,” Cr Tiemens said.

“A number of structures have gone down, a piggery shed alongside some others but firefighters have no reports of house loss and most importantly no lives lost so they’re doing an excellent job.

The fire has already burned through more than 84,000 hectares. Picture: RFS

“Pipelines are underground, livestock has been shifted and people are out of harm’s way.”

Cr Tiemens commended the emergency service and community response to the out-of-control blaze.

Residents have been urged to seek shelter. Picture: Georgina Woods

“Professional and volunteer firefighters, Red Cross and other services from across the state have flooded the area,” he said.

“Even the local mechanics have been working overtime repairing RFS trucks.

“The Pilliga area hasn’t been burned for a long time so that forest has just been ready to go.”

The Railway Hotel, which sits in the at-risk town of Baan Baa, is the only pub open in the area and staff have been scrambling to provide firefighters with the supplies they need.

View of the inferno from the Railway Hotel Baan Baa. Picture: Supplied

“We’re all ok, we’ve had teams coming in and out of the pub for food and water and we’ll be feeding them tonight,” Paige from the Baan Baa Railway Hotel said.

“The sky was black yesterday at 1pm and stayed like that the whole way through.

The fire closed in on the small town of Baan Baa on Tuesday afternoon. Picture: Supplied

“Everyone is helping everyone out here, there’s a real community spirit.”

On Monday night the flames were so fierce they were creating isolated thunderstorms within the fire ground.

“Overnight the fire generated a thunderstorm to the south east of the fireground, causing dangerous and erratic fire behaviour,” a Rural Fire Service warning said.

An overnight thunderstorm has threatened to worsen conditions for firefighters. Picture: RFS

“Embers will be blown long distances ahead of the main fire front starting spot fires, these may impact your home earlier than the main fire front.

“Firefighters are working in the area to protect properties and slow the spread of the fire.”

Homeowners in the Baan Baa, Willala, Goolhi, Rocky Glen and Stannix Park areas have been told to seek shelter.

“If you are in the area of Baan Baa, Willala, Goolhi, Rocky Glen and Stannix Park, your life is at risk. It is too late to leave,” the RFS said.

Overnight, the Duck Creek Pilliga Forest Fire took a large 30km run to the south towards Rocky Glen and Stannix Park. Shelter Now messaging remains in place for several areas including Rocky Glen, Stannix Park, Baan Baa, Willala, Goolhi. More information: https://t.co/ceYIMDkWcw pic.twitter.com/2RYlCs2FHm

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 18, 2023

“Seek shelter now, or as the fire approaches in a solid structure such as a house, do not be caught in the open in the path of the fire.

“Go inside and protect yourself from the fire front. Actively monitor the situation.”

Firefighters are currently battling 63 bush and grass fires with 15 of them not yet contained.

Meanwhile in Sydney, temperatures will reach tops of 35C in the city and 38C in the west on Tuesday.

Severe heatwave warnings have been issued for the Mid North Coast and Northern Tablelands Districts.

Emergency Warning: Duck Creek Pilliga Forest, (Narrabri LGA)
Firefighters supported by aircraft continue to work to slow the spread of the fire and protect properties across a number of areas. For more information, visit: https://t.co/ceYIMDkWcw pic.twitter.com/TNbyZAq3tY

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 18, 2023

Thousands are expected to hit the beaches before the conditions ease later in the week, setting up the city for some much cooler days.

“Maximum temperatures in the mid to high thirties, and overnight minimum temperatures in the high teens to low twenties over the northeast of the State,” The Bureau of Meteorology said.

“Severe heatwave conditions will ease from Wednesday after a cooler change moves through early Wednesday morning.”

The Greater Sydney region, Greater Hunter, Central Ranges, Southern Slopes, Lower Central West Plains, Eastern Riverina, Southern Riverina, Northern Riverina and South Western are all listed at high fire risk.