NSW bushfires burn out of control as firefighters brace for weather
Emergency warnings for two fires burning in northern NSW have been issued, with residents urged to “seek shelter as the fire front arrives”. Two emergency warnings are now in place for fires at Bees Nest near Armidale and Drake near Tenterfield.
NSW
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Emergency warnings for two fires burning in northern NSW have been issued, with residents urged to “seek shelter as the fire front arrives”. Two emergency warnings are now in place for fires at Bees Nest near Armidale and Drake near Tenterfield.
The RFS says the 66,694-hectare Bees Nest fire has breached its containment lines and is burning towards homes and properties in the Billys Creek area. Locals have been advised to seek shelter and protect themselves from the heat of the fire.
People living in Tyringham, Marengo, Moonpar, Dundarrabin or Bostobrick have been advised to put their bushfire survival plans into action. The fire at Drake - burning over 39706ha - has also breached its containment lines and is burning close to properties in the Sandy Hill area, with a number of homes under threat.
Sandy Hill residents are being told to make their final preparations immediately while people in Drake, Ewingar, Tilbaroo and areas to the west of the Clarence River must deploy their bushfire action plans.
More favourable conditions are forecast for Wednesday but with no rain expected, the RFS has warned the two blazes could burn for weeks.
At least nine homes and 34 outbuildings have been destroyed in bushfires across the state so far, with six homes damaged. However, crews are yet to fully assess the damage done.
Meanwhile, firefighters are continuing to hold off a major bushfire on the NSW north coast where locals have spent the day feeling “helpless” to protect their homes.
The fire at Shark Creek, in the Clarence Valley south of Yamba, was a major concern for authorities on Tuesday as strong winds of more than 60km/h whipped up flames, but has since been downgraded to an advice level. RFS Inspector Ben Shepherd said firefighters worked hard to successfully hold the blaze at bay, despite the strong winds.
Watch&Act: Shark Creek Fire (Clarence Valley LGA) Strong southerly winds are forecast for this morning. Gusts to 80kph are likely by 11am. Residents of Angourie, Wooloweyah, Gulmarrad and Yamba should monitor conditions, know what you will do if the fire threatens. #NSWRFS pic.twitter.com/z6ojmGX1E5
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) September 9, 2019
“The winds have been up all day, but we have been constantly hitting that fire with the large air tankers,” he told AAP.
Videos posted to social media by the RFS show large air tankers dropping thousands of litres of fire retardant close to homes to slow the fire. Residents in the coastal villages of Angourie, Wooloweyah and Yamba were earlier warned to monitor the situation closely after the blaze breached containment lines overnight.
The Angourie Resort, south of Yamba, has been in the potential path of the fire since Monday.
Danielle, who runs the resort with her husband and parents, said they had evacuated their guests within an hour at lunchtime on Monday. While easing conditions gave the family some hope overnight, the strong winds on Tuesday have put them on edge.
“You just feel so helpless, you just want to do something ... (we’re) just sitting here waiting to get the news it’s burnt down,” she told AAP. “My husband keeps going down there and wetting things down with hoses ... the wind is not working in our favour, it’s less than a kilometre away.” The fire has already burnt through more than 9300 hectares of bushland in the Yuraygir National Park.
Clarence Valley mayor Jim Simmons said he couldn’t remember the area being so dry and described conditions as “really terrible”.
“We haven’t seen anything like this in my lifetime,” he told AAP on Tuesday. The Bureau of Meteorology issued a high fire danger rating for several regions on Tuesday including the far north coast, north coast, New England, central ranges and greater Hunter. The risk will be very high in the northern slopes region.
Nearly 400 firefighters were in the field on Tuesday, however that number was expected to almost double throughout the day.
QLD DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY
•Latest Queensland bushfire alerts
A fire that’s destroyed homes and forced hundreds to flee on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast may have been deliberately lit, with a fire chief warning “anything could happen”.
Police are interviewing a group of teenagers over the blaze that’s destroyed at least two homes and a shed in the Peregian Beach area, south of Noosa.
There are fears other houses may have been lost to the fast-moving blaze that broke out on Monday afternoon and rapidly raced towards beachside communities. The fire is currently affecting Peregian Beach and Peregian Breeze Estate and is burning north, towards Marcus Beach.
Sunshine Coast detectives are investigating the cause of a fire which started in bushland off Koel Circuit in Peregian Springs around 4.30pm yesterday.
— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) September 9, 2019
Detectives are speaking with a number of teenagers in relation to the matter.
Three teenage boys reportedly came to the attention of police after admitting to lighting the Peregian fire in a local internet chat room.
A bushfire emergency situation has been declared at Peregian Beach and residents have been told to leave immediately.
As of 9.45am Tuesday the fast-moving bushfire was travelling north-north-westerly from Peregian Beach and Peregian Breeze Estate towards Marcus Beach.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services say it will soon be too dangerous to drive and those leaving should evacuate north towards Noosa.
LEAVE IMMEDIATELY: Peregian Beach, Peregian Breeze Estate and Marcus Beach bushfire as at 6.40am Tues 10 Sept: https://t.co/b4d71maceP
— Qld Fire & Emergency (@QldFES) September 9, 2019
“The fire is expected to have a significant impact on the community,” QFES said.
“Conditions are now very dangerous and firefighters may soon be unable to prevent the fire advancing.
“Fire crews may not be able to protect your property. You should not expect a firefighter at your door: act now.”
Evacuation centres have opened at the Cooroy Library, the Noosa Leisure Centre at Noosaville, the Multi Sport Centre at Maroochydore and the Nambour Showgrounds.
Residents of Weyba, Weyba Downs, Peregian Springs and Castaways Beach have been told to be ready to leave the area.
Thirteen schools and 18 daycare centres have been closed across Queensland with absences to be recorded as a “result of an extreme weather event or natural disaster.”
— with AAP