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‘Leave now’: Central West residents told to go as blaze breaks containment lines

ROLLING UPDATES: THERE are now 87 fires across NSW, with five at the most serious emergency warning status and the RFS warning that a southerly change expected to sweep across the state in the next few hours could make conditions far worse.

Chris Hook, Tyron Butson, Rose Brennan and Linda Silmalis
4 min read
February 13, 2017 - 12:19AM
The Sunday Telegraph
Out-of-control fire burns in Central West

THERE were 87 fires across NSW yesterday, with five at the most serious emergency warning status and Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons warned that a southerly change ethat swept across the state could have made the conditions far worse.

However there were hundreds of firefighters in action and thousands more at the ready from a total pool of some 2500 firefighters, with no firefighters needing to be called in from inter state.

There were earlier emergency warnings in place for fires at Binalong Rd Boggabri, White Cedars Rd, Kains Flat north east of Mudgee and Spring Hill Rd Dondingalong southwest of Kempsey.

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The Baptist Church at Aberdare was destroyed by fire. The evening service reportedly had only finished five minutes earlier. No one was hurt.

One person as suffered burns in an out-of-control blaze which threatened homes near Boggabri.

A member of the public was injured yesterday afternoon and flown to Sydney for specialist treatment for the burns, the NSW Rural Fire Service said.

A man was arrested yesterday afternoon after two fires were deliberately lit at the Dargavilles Road area at Nabiac, on the NSW north coast.

The 32-year-old was taken to Forster Police Station to help detectives with their investigation.

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The view from the RFS plane of the Sir Ivan Fire, in the NSW Central West, which has breached containment lines.
The view from the RFS plane of the Sir Ivan Fire, in the NSW Central West, which has breached containment lines.

Firefighters worked hard to contain a large grass fire at Mangoola, north of Denman in the Hunter region.

Several large fires were also burning around Bulahdelah in the Hunter Region.

Authorities also warned local roads may be closed at short notice, with police blocking off Thunderbolts Way between Scone Rd and Nowendoc Village.

Massive plumes of smoke from the Sir Ivan bushfire near Leadville, in NSW’s Central West region.
Massive plumes of smoke from the Sir Ivan bushfire near Leadville, in NSW’s Central West region.

A large grassfire at Binalong Rd, Boggabri, in the Narrabri also caused issues for firefighters. The fast moving fire had crossed the nearby Kamilaroy Highway and the Namoi River and the RFS urged locals to take shelter as the blaze approaches.

The extreme conditions came as NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said yesterday’s weather conditions were “unprecedented” and potentially stood to be “worse than the Black Saturday forecast”.

The state is today on the highest emergency alert “ever”, with strong winds forecast and a series of record-breaking temperatures.

The NSW Rural Fire Service had previously advised there were 76 bush or grass fires burning across the state and 26 of those were classed as not being contained.

While more than 1000 RFS firefighters were in the field, it was feared that fires could rapidly spread given the extreme fire conditions.

Mr Fitzsimmons described the expected situation as the “worst possible”, with the danger rating “off the old conventional scale”.

“These conditions are unprecedented not just in NSW but Australia, worse than Black Saturday forecast,” he told reporters.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian with RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons at the RFS headquarters.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian with RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons at the RFS headquarters.

He warned: “It is not another summer’s day. It is not another bad fire day. This is as bad as it gets.”

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian earlier arrived at RFS headquarters without staff for a low-key visit to be briefed by Mr Fitzsimmons, with deputy Commissioner Rob Rogers and Fire And Rescue acting commissioner Jim Hamilton.

EVACUATIONS IN CENTRAL WEST

THOUSANDS of people were forced to flee in the NSW Central West after a huge bushfire broke its containment lines.

The fire broke through RFS containment lines and has burnt through 8583ha of bushland.

The fire breached containment lines at Leadville.
The fire breached containment lines at Leadville.
NSW RFS have made a list of safer places to go for people in bushfire zones.
NSW RFS have made a list of safer places to go for people in bushfire zones.

“The fire is burning in catastrophic fire conditions. In these conditions, the fire will spread quickly. It will be difficult for firefighters to contain the fire,” he said.

The warning followed unconfirmed reports a property in the region had been lost to the 2000 hectare fire. RFS building impact analysts are on their way to the site.

Firefighters estimated the blaze moved at 12km/h.

The Westpac Lifesaver helicopter was dispatched to the area, following a request from Fire and Rescue NSW, and was on standby last night.

The Golden Highway was been closed between Vinegaroy Rd and Black Stump Way and was expected to remain closed as the fire burns out of control.

Fireys attempted to fight the blaze in 42C conditions, while contending with wind gusts of up to 60km/h.

“Emergency alert telephone messages are being sent to people in the area,” the RFS said.

“The fire was burning in catastrophic conditions and would spread quickly.

“It will be difficult for firefighters to contain the fire.”

“That is a dangerous, fast-moving fire that has broken containment lines,” RFS spokesman Paul Best told the ABC after the advice was upgraded.

The Sir Ivan fire rages at Leadville, east of Dubbo, on Saturday. Picture: Kimba Thomas
The Sir Ivan fire rages at Leadville, east of Dubbo, on Saturday. Picture: Kimba Thomas

“We need to be clear that in catastrophic conditions are the most dangerous conditions,” Mr Fitzsimmons said.

“Fires will start easily and they will spread very quickly. Unless we are there in the most early stages of a fire starting, it is most likely that we will simply not contain it and the fire will take hold and spread and simply consume whatever is in its path.

“We are talking about the highest order of risk when it comes to fire danger ratings. The risk is real.”

A watch and act warning was also activated for Mount Pleasant Rd, Wherrol Flat, near Taree, with the RFS telling residents “If you’re not prepared to highest level — leave now, if safe”.

EXTRAORDINARY CONDITIONS

Fires could erupt and move so fast that residents should not expect a fire truck to arrive if they call. It may also move too fast for an alert to be sent out.

The RFS said it was the first time the state had experienced such “extraordinary” conditions, with the risk not expected to ease until late tomorrow. The last time the state had a catastrophic rating was in 2013, but it was restricted to the Shoalhaven and Illawarra.

To reduce the risk, the government began closing national parks while urging campers, hikers and off-roaders to change their plans.

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/sydney-heatwave-catastrophic-fire-danger-leaves-residents-ready-to-flee/news-story/8ce8a33939e5a7d4b07e876f9acdfffa