North Head: Burn off at Manly out of control due to strong winds

People have been evacuated, including everyone from the Big Brother house, after a hazard reduction burn at Manly’s North Head turned into a full scale emergency.

• COVID cancels Christmas on the northern beaches
• ‘Hell 90’ axed as part of bus route overhaul

A planned hazard reduction burn-off on Sydney’s North Head turned into a full scale emergency on Saturday afternoon after the fire got out of control.

The Big Brother production crew was evacuated from the house as the fire jumped containment lines.

People being evacuated from North Head due to an out-of-control fire. Picture: Matrix

People from the Quarantine Station and the Q Station Hotel — including a wedding party — were also evacuated.

Strong north easterly winds are being blamed for pushing the fire over containment lines near Blue Fish Point.

The fire was heading in a southerly direction towards scenic lookouts and the historic Quarantine Station.

NSW Fire and Rescue confirmed about 200 people have had to leave the area.

People being evacuated from North Head on Saturday. Picture: Matrix

The 50-strong BB Production team messaged all crew on Saturday to say that “due to a backburn fire at North Head the decision has been made to postpone filming tonight”.

“Production will notify you as soon as possible of details, but at this stage it is rescheduled for same time tomorrow night. Apologies for any inconvenience – we will be in touch soon.”

Cast were preparing for the arrival of contestants on Saturday night when filming was due to commence, but emergency crews put a stop to that, ordering residents in the Manly area to vacate their properties as a precaution.

Emergency services are dealing with an out-of-control fire at North Head. Picture: Matrix

Police at the Q Station reception helping to evacuate people. Picture: Matrix

The scheduled hazard reduction operation of the area by National Parks and Wildlife Service assisted by Fire and Rescue NSW, had jumped containment lines, a police spokesman said.

The fire is not currently threatening homes, however officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command attended to assist with the evacuation of commercial premises and residential properties, the spokesman said.

At 6pm, the RFS said conditions were easing, no structures were damaged and that rain was expected to fall in the area on Saturday night.