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
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
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.
Download The Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph app for your smartphone or tablet to get the full story.
APPLE: DOWNLOAD THE APP FOR iOS
GOOGLE PLAY: DOWNLOAD THE APP FOR ANDROID
WHAT YOU GET WITH OUR APP
► Live and latest news — Get the news as it breaks 24-hours a day, 7 days a week
► My News — Your own personal news feed. Tailor your news to get straight to the topics that matter to you
► Today’s Paper — Read the paper anytime, anywhere with the digital replica of the paper, as its printed
► Notifications — Be the first to know when big stories break with instant news alerts straight to the locked screen on your smartphone and tablet
► Live Sport Scores — Stay on the ball with NRL and AFL live sport scores and expect analysis
► Share — Join the conversation and share your favourite stories via Facebook, Twitter or email
► Daily puzzles — With new crosswords and Sudoku puzzles every day, there’s always something to keep your mind active
► Subscribe — Through the app (via iTunes) to start your 30-day FREE trial; then your subscription will automatically renew to $29.99 per month.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook News // Facebook Sport // Facebook SuperCoach NRL // Facebook Sydney Confidential // Facebook Live Streaming // Twitter News // Twitter Sport // Twitter SuperCoach NRL // Twitter Sydney Confidential // Instagram Daily Telegraph
‘It’s a day of celebration’: Shock remarks at western Sydney rally
There’s a massive police presence across Sydney as evening gatherings on the grim anniversary of Hamas attacks get under way. At Lakemba Mosque, hundreds have massed as a police chopper flies overhead.
‘So, so devastating’: Mainstay deli shuts after 70 years
The closure of an iconic southwest Sydney deli has prompted its legion of customers to express how the institution – treasured like the Opera House – meant more than prosciutto and panini.