RFS: ‘Police won’t knock on your door to leave’

As frantic residents prepare to face down the Gospers mega-blaze on the lower slopes of the Blue Mountains, a morning roadside fatality has made any evacuation strategy especially fraught.

• Town in eye of firestorm prepares for impact
• RFS issues grim warning to Hawkesbury residents
• ‘Safe and secure’ caravans for refuge from bushfires

As frantic Kurrajong Heights residents prepare to face down the Gospers mega-blaze, a morning roadside fatality has made any evacuation strategy especially fraught.

RFS personnel and Fire and Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner, Jeremy Fewtrell, last night told residents to pack up and leave the ridgetop suburb, as “extreme” fires loom.

For the 2,884 residents living on the lower slopes of the Blue Mountains the concern is “fire doubles in speed every 10 degrees of slope”.

Mt Tomah Botanical Gardens suffered damage from the Gospers Mountain fire as it travelled from Mt Wilson east towards Bilpin on Sunday. Photo: MATRIX/Jeff Walsh

It comes as Grose Vale Rural Fire Brigade braces to protect nearby Bowen Mountain village from fire assault ahead of today’s predicted 43 degree temperatures.

Firefighters fronted hundreds of residents at Kurrajong Heights Rural Fire Brigade last night, telling them strong westerly winds, very hot temperatures and dry conditions are also expected to drive up the fire danger at Kurrajong Heights about 3pm.

And fire burning in the Grose Valley, on Gospers’ southern flank, has “the potential to hit the Blue Mountains” — Yarramundi is also vulnerable. “We do have a number of additional resources coming in tomorrow,” the packed Kurrajong Heights fire shed was told.

Grose Vale RFS deputy captain Troy Slender and son Jackson, 14, are preparing to protect the 1200 properties at Bowen Mountain village today, including their own. Photo: Jeremy Piper

FRNSW Deputy Commissioner and Kurrajong Heights Rural Fire Brigade member, Jeremy Fewtrell, addressing residents last night. Photo: Jeremy Piper

By morning a major access point — Kurrajong Rd at Richmond — was closed in both directions after a car hit two cyclists about 4.55am, highlighting the importance of putting several exits in bushfire plans to ensure you can leave safely if your planned route is blocked.

FRNSW Deputy Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell, who is also an active Kurrajong Heights Rural Fire Brigade member, last night said “calling triple-0 if there’s no emergency services presence at a fire is critical. The other message is about leaving early ... when fire is not impacting your area”.

FRNSW Deputy Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell, pictured at a press conference in early December. Photo: Bianca De Marchi

RFS members stressed no one will come and ask residents to leave; not the police, not firefighters.

Fires Near Me warns the 411,000ha Gospers Mountain fire is 20 km west of the Kurrajong area.

Residents were told only consider staying if you are physically and mentally prepared — and have a home designed specifically to withstand bushfires.

Safer locations

• Evacuees can look for shelter at Richmond Club, East Market St, Richmond, where caravans are also available to those seeking refuge from fire.
• Evacuees with animals can stay with them at Hawkesbury Showground. Check Fires Near Me for fire updates, including evacuation centre locations, and Live Traffic for road closures.