NSW Bushfires: Three Mile upgraded to emergency status
The Three Mile fire has been upgraded to emergency status with spot fires emerging ahead of the main fire this afternoon.
Central Coast
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Spot fires are starting ahead of the Three Mile fire as the status of the blaze hits Emergency.
The Rural Fire Service has advised the fire is spreading quickly in an easterly direction and is
burning towards the areas of Mangrove Mountain, Mangrove Creek, Lower Mangrove and Greengrove.
“If you are in the areas of Lower Mangrove, Greengrove, Mangrove Creek and Mangrove Mountain, you are at risk,” RFS advice states.
“Seek shelter as the fire approaches. Protect yourself from the heat of the fire.
“If you are in surrounding areas, including the areas of Peats Ridge and Glenworth Valley, monitor conditions. Watch out for embers and spot fires.”
The Central Coast has been on high alert today as conditions have worsened.
Five schools have been closed in an around the areas affected including Central Mangrove Public School, Kulnura Public School, Peats Ridge Public School, Somersby Public School and Wisemans Ferry Public School.
NERVOUS WAIT
With temperatures hitting the early 30s by 1pm, residents faced an anxious wait in bushland communities.
Isolated Upper Mangrove resident Camille Ross was facing a nervous wait.
“You can’t be not worried,” the 70-year-old said. “I’m still planning on staying.”
Ms Ross said her family bought the property in the 1950s and her father was a coach builder.
But after her mum died she’s on her own with her 15 show-quality pure bred german sheppards.
She has a pump and two hoses and is planning on defending her house but fire authorities have already told her she may be forced to leave.
Ms Ross, like a lot of residents in the area, blame the National Parks and Wildlife Service, RFS and Central Coast Council for not conducting enough hazard reduction burns over the years.
EVENT CANCELLED
Central Coast Council has cancelled its A Luminous Christmas event at The Entrance tonight due to air quality.
“Council has unfortunately had to cancel the activities and performances scheduled for tonight due to the current air quality conditions,” a statement read.
“The Central Coast is experiencing poor air quality this week due to smoke from bushfires and unfortunately conditions are expected to stay at these levels throughout the week. Council has a responsibility to help keep the community as safe as possible and reduce potential negative health impacts.”
BE PREPARED
It was a long night for property owners with news the fire claimed a dwelling yesterday afternoon within the Wat Buddha Dhamma, a Theravadin Forest Monastery, in Dharug National Park.
A public meeting held at Kulnura Hall last night warned residents the fire is expected to hit Mangrove and Kulnura over coming days. It was said not ‘if’ but when.
There is a total fire ban in place today and communities in the rugged bushland areas west of the coast have been warned to have a fire plan in place and be ready to act on it.
Temperatures are expected to reach 34 degrees with winds from the west and north west.
NSW Rural Fire Service Central Coast District says under forecast conditions, the large Gospers Mountain and Three Mile fires are likely to spread east.
These fires may impact on areas between Kulnura and Greengrove, including Mangrove Creek, Mangrove Mountain and Upper Mangrove, they warn.
“If you’re in this area, decide now what you will do if you’re threatened by fire,”
“The safest option is to leave early, such as early in the day – and return only when it’s safe.
“Only stay if you and your property are well prepared.”
The Three Mile fire continues to burn in Dharug and Yengo National Parks between Lower Macdonald and Mangrove Mountain. Now more than 6000ha burned out and not contained.
A crew from Berkeley Vale Rural Fire Brigade put in a huge day yesterday strengthening containment lines around the Three Mile fire.
Wrights Creek fire continues to burn about 10km west of Kulnura in Yengo National Park and state forest and is being controlled.
Another meeting is planned tonight for residents in the Calga/Mount White area at Calga/Mount White Fire Station, Pacific Highway, Mount White at 7pm.
Rugby Track Fire north of Mangrove Creek Dam is contained but smouldering, and poses a risk in today’s weather conditions.