A fast-moving grassfire in Greystanes, in Western Sydney, which threatened up to 100 homes, has been brought under control by "bloody knackered" RFS volunteers.
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A GRASSFIRE that broke out in the heart of suburban Sydney tonight was contained after burning at emergency level.
The fire on Hyland St, Greystanes broke out about 5.30pm and was heading north towards Pemulway, along the Prospect Highway.
SES crews were on the ground closing off roads to motorists while the Rural Fire Service contained the blaze.
The fire was under control by about 9pm.
But RFS crews spent the final hours of 2019 strategising to return to the site and get the remaining flames under control.
“I’ve been up there, I’m bloody knackered. There are trees falling and flames still there,” a crew member at the scene said.
Off-duty RFS volunteer Yaseen Nijaat was coming from Merrylands when he spotted thick smoke.
“I received a call from my neighbour, he was informing that there was a fire next door,” Mr Nijaat said.
“I’ve been deployed to different areas this season. I’ve been to northern NSW in Tenterfield, the season has been very catastrophic.
“The worst thing was Christmas Day. I was on Mount Evans lookout in Blue Mountain. We did backburns there. That day was very extreme.”
Mr Nijaat said he is grateful for community support.
“We would really appreciate the army. It’s a big hand to us. We thank them and every member of the community who has pulled up their sleeves and is helping us.”
NSW Police has opened a Public Information and Inquiry Centre (PIIC) to assist members of the public in relation to bushfire information for south coast areas.
The telephone number to call the centre is 1800 227 228.
Police are also urging members of the public to delay all non-essential travel in fire-affected areas to assist emergency services.
Information specifically relating to the bushfires can be obtained by contacting the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737.
Police said members of the public seeking information about situation in the south coast should monitor emergency websites, including http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au, as well as your regular media news sources for updated advice and warnings.
NSW Police has opened a Public Information and Inquiry Centre (PIIC) to assist members of the public in relation to bushfire information for south coast areas.
The telephone number to call the centre is 1800 227 228.
Police are also urging members of the public to delay all non-essential travel in fire-affected areas to assist emergency services.
Information specifically relating to the bushfires can be obtained by contacting the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737.
Police said members of the public seeking information about situation in the south coast should monitor emergency websites, including http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au, as well as your regular media news sources for updated advice and warnings.
WHERE ARE THE NSW BUSHFIRES?
More than 100 blazes continue to burn across NSW. Nine fires were burning at an “emergency” level at 6.45pm, including the 230,000-hectare Currowan blaze on the south coast, the 61,000ha Clyde Mountain fire near Batemans Bay, the 68,000ha Green Valley fire east of Albury and the 64,000-ha Countegany fire east of Cooma.
Two small blazes in Sydney near Greystanes and at Charmhaven on the Central Coast are also threatening life and property.
Authorities are concerned that bushfires burning in Victoria could jump the border into southern NSW after being fanned by a southerly.
HOW MANY HAVE DIED?
Three people have died since Monday evening, taking to 11 the number of deaths this season.
Volunteer firefighter and expectant father Samuel McPaul, 28, was killed when his fire truck flipped during a “fire tornado” while battling the Green Valley fire on Monday evening.
A father and son, aged 63 and 29, were killed on Tuesday as they tried to defend their home and farm equipment just north of Cobargo.
Further north, at Belowra, another man is feared dead. It’s so far been unsafe to reach the area.
HOW MANY HOMES HAVE BEEN LOST?
Numbers from the past 48 hours are unclear but homes have been destroyed. At last count, more than 900 homes have been confirmed destroyed since July.
THE WARNINGS
Tuesday’s fire danger rating is extreme in the ACT, the southern ranges and the Illawarra/Shoalhaven region.
Temperatures are dropping as much as 15C as a southerly wind change sweeps across the state. But that change is also bringing winds of up to 80 km/h, causing further harm.
Fire risk in coastal regions are expected to reduce on Wednesday, but total fire bans will remain in place for the Southern Slopes, Southern Ranges and Central Ranges.
THE ROADS
The Hume Highway is operating at a reduced speed limit between Sutton Forest and Marulan after being closed.
Northbound motorists are being diverted through Goulburn while several closed parts of the Princes Hwy on the south coast aren’t expected to reopen before morning.
Motorists have been advised to stay put, stay safe and avoid all non-essential travel. Updates are available on the Live Traffic website.
WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH NEW YEAR’S EVE?
The Sydney Harbour New Year’s Eve fireworks display has been approved by the RFS.
Revellers will be unable to use the forested Balls Head Reserve, Bradleys Head or North Head as vantage points due to the fire risk.
In total, the RFS approved 30 of 70-odd fireworks exemptions in total fire ban areas but refused permission for Parramatta, a major site of NYE festivities.
The family fireworks at Brighton-Le-Sands in Sydney’s south have been cancelled at the eleventh hour due to concerns over erratic weather.
WHERE ARE THE NSW BUSHFIRES?
More than 100 blazes continue to burn across NSW. Nine fires were burning at an “emergency” level at 6.45pm, including the 230,000-hectare Currowan blaze on the south coast, the 61,000ha Clyde Mountain fire near Batemans Bay, the 68,000ha Green Valley fire east of Albury and the 64,000-ha Countegany fire east of Cooma.
Two small blazes in Sydney near Greystanes and at Charmhaven on the Central Coast are also threatening life and property.
Authorities are concerned that bushfires burning in Victoria could jump the border into southern NSW after being fanned by a southerly.
HOW MANY HAVE DIED?
Three people have died since Monday evening, taking to 11 the number of deaths this season.
Volunteer firefighter and expectant father Samuel McPaul, 28, was killed when his fire truck flipped during a “fire tornado” while battling the Green Valley fire on Monday evening.
A father and son, aged 63 and 29, were killed on Tuesday as they tried to defend their home and farm equipment just north of Cobargo.
Further north, at Belowra, another man is feared dead. It’s so far been unsafe to reach the area.
HOW MANY HOMES HAVE BEEN LOST?
Numbers from the past 48 hours are unclear but homes have been destroyed. At last count, more than 900 homes have been confirmed destroyed since July.
THE WARNINGS
Tuesday’s fire danger rating is extreme in the ACT, the southern ranges and the Illawarra/Shoalhaven region.
Temperatures are dropping as much as 15C as a southerly wind change sweeps across the state. But that change is also bringing winds of up to 80 km/h, causing further harm.
Fire risk in coastal regions are expected to reduce on Wednesday, but total fire bans will remain in place for the Southern Slopes, Southern Ranges and Central Ranges.
THE ROADS
The Hume Highway is operating at a reduced speed limit between Sutton Forest and Marulan after being closed.
Northbound motorists are being diverted through Goulburn while several closed parts of the Princes Hwy on the south coast aren’t expected to reopen before morning.
Motorists have been advised to stay put, stay safe and avoid all non-essential travel. Updates are available on the Live Traffic website.
WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH NEW YEAR’S EVE?
The Sydney Harbour New Year’s Eve fireworks display has been approved by the RFS.
Revellers will be unable to use the forested Balls Head Reserve, Bradleys Head or North Head as vantage points due to the fire risk.
In total, the RFS approved 30 of 70-odd fireworks exemptions in total fire ban areas but refused permission for Parramatta, a major site of NYE festivities.