Two dangerous NSW mid-north coast bushfires downgraded on nightfall
Two major bushfires which approached property on the state’s mid-north coast on Thursday have been downgraded. Earlier, the NSWRFS deployed a huge new weapon in firefighting. WATCH IT AT WORK.
NSW
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Two major bushfires which approached property on the state’s mid-north coast on Thursday were downgraded after nightfall.
Earlier on Thursday, residents on the state’s mid-north coast were told that it is too late to leave their homes as two major bushfires approached property near Cessnock and Port Stephens.
Two large waterbombing aircraft were deployed to fight the blaze, including the 737 Large Air Tanker ‘Gaia’. It was the first time such an aircraft has been used to fight fires anywhere in the world.
On Thursday night, the NSWRFS said the Salt Ash bushfire had been downgraded to “watch and act”, and would continue to burn overnight and be monitored and contained.
The Cessnock bushfire was downgraded to “advice” status.
The NSWRFS reported 16 first remained burning in NSW, with six out of control and 350 firefighters deployed to fight them.
At the end of the day there were no properties reported destroyed and no injuries.
Earlier in the day a fire sped along Richardson Rd towards the town of Salt Ash, while other serious fires burnt near Salt Ash Ave, Hideaway Drive and Shady Ave.
Nelson Bay Rd was closed in both directions and residents could not leave or enter the Nelson Bay area.
Authorities suspect the fire began in the grass at the roadside of Richardson Rd, Campvale.
NSW Rural Fire Service spokesman James Morris said residents had no option but to bunker down.
“Roughly 1000 residents have been told to seek shelter from the fire,” Mr Morris said on Thursday afternoon. “It is definitely too late to leave.”
The 737 Large Air Tanker 'Gaia' has been in action in the Hunter this afternoon - the first time this kind of plane has been used to fight a fire anywhere in the world. It's provided valuable support to firefighters on the ground. #NSWRFS #nswfires #avgeek pic.twitter.com/qHnbcddFpe
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) November 22, 2018
Two large waterbombing aircraft, including the famous C130H Hercules aerial firefighting tanker ZEUS, are currently working to contain the blaze.
This fire comes after the Salt Ash area was ravaged by a similar blaze just three months ago.
Local resident Dave Slade sought shelter at a friend’s house near Salt Ash.
“The wind here is so strong that every time the aircraft drops water it just evaporates,” Mr Slade said on Thursday afternoon.
“If you’re living in Hideaway or Salt Ash and in front of that fire, you should be very worried. She’s a cracker.”
The Cessnock area fire burnt near the town of Weston in a south-easterly direction towards Leggetts Drive. The fire narrowly avoided burning Kurri Kurri Hospital and moved towards Pelaw Main.
Mr Morris said the fire was driven by strong gusts of up to 85km/h from the west of the state.
“Strong westerly winds are blowing the fires towards homes,” he said.
“Residents have been advised to take buckets and hoses inside so that they can extinguish hot spots once the fire passes.
“It could be a significant amount of time before the fires are brought under control.”
Shocking footage captured by the Rural Fire Service earlier this afternoon showed the fire near Salt Ash scorching power poles just outside the limits of the town.
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