NSW bushfires: Gospers Mountain fire warning as temperatures rise

The giant Gospers Mountain blaze continues to burn out of control in bushland north west of Gosford with fire authorities warning that tomorrow’s predicted hot weather will not help containment efforts.

NSW Rural Fire Service Commanders discuss a plan to burn containment lines around properties on the south western flank of the fire. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts.

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The huge Gospers Mountain bushfire burning in Wollemi and Yengo National Parks north west of Gosford was the only fire still at watch and act level in NSW on Monday morning.

Hundreds of people attended public meetings run by the Rural Fire Service over the weekend to hear about the threat posed by the fire which has burned out more than 122,000 hectares of bush and remains out of control.

NSW Rural Fire Service crews burn a containment line to help contain the Gospers Mountain Fire. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts.

A Rural Fire Service spokesman said fire crews were gearing up for expected difficult fire conditions tomorrow (Tuesday) when temperatures are expected to climb into the early 30s.

The blaze has already burned down one home at Colo Heights when windy conditions whipped the fire up to emergency warning level on Friday afternoon.

Rural Fire Service staff held public meetings at Spencer, Kulnura, Yarramalong, Calga/Mt White and Wendooree Park over the weekend, warning residents to make sure they were prepared for the fire.

Residents listen to safety advice at a public meeting at Yarramalong RFS station in light of the looming Grospers Mountain fire. Picture: Richard Noone

Residents were told that the fire was likely to enter the Central Coast Local Government Area within a week and that the best option is to leave the area.

The fire is currently burning in the Wollemi and Yengo National Parks, and Parr State Recreation Area with fire activity increasing on the western edge of the fire on the escarpment above the remote settlement of Glen Davis.

The small village of Spencer is in the firing line as the Gospers Mountain bushfire moves toward the Central Coast.

However, the fire has “moderated” in the Colo Heights, Putty and St Albans areas.

Backburning operations continue along Webbs Creek – a tributary of the Hawkesbury River north of Wiseman’s Ferry.

There will be an increase in smoke and fire activity as these operations continue.

Colo Heights Public School, Macdonald Valley Public School and Wisemans Ferry Public School will all be closed today, Monday, November 18.