NSW RFS respond to out of control fire in Oxford Falls

Firefighters are working to control a blaze in Sydney’s Northern Beaches after a controlled burn escalated.

A bushfire causing major concern for residents in Sydney’s Northern Beaches has been downgraded as firefighters gain “the upper hand” on the blaze.

Firefighters continue to work to contain the fire at 100 Meatworks Ave, Oxford Falls, in Sydney.

The fire has now been downgraded to an Advice level after it got out of control following a routine controlled burn on Saturday.

Residents in the vicinity should continue to monitor conditions.

Bushfire caused major concern for residents as it ran through bushland on Northern Beaches.Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

The conditions are beginning to ease across the fire ground as firefighters gain “the upper hand”, according to authorities.

Firefighters will be conducting backburning operations behind properties in the vicinity of Oxford Falls Rd, Lady Penrhyn Dr, Willandra Drive, Maybrook Ave and Pinduro Place overnight.

Residents are being warned these operations will result in increased smoke in the Oxford Falls and Cromer Heights area.

Willandra Rd will continue to be closed between McIntosh Rd and Little Willandra Rd while this work is undertaken.

“If you are driving in the area, please drive to the conditions and take directions from firefighters,” RFS urged.

The fire has now burnt 80ha and is in the vicinity of Cromer Heights.

Oxford Falls residents are being urged to prepare for an ember attack as the bushfire blazes. Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Residents living in Pinduro Place, Jersey Place, Maybrook Ave, Kirrang St, and Lady Penrhyn Dr, should be aware of ember attack.

“Embers will be blown long distances ahead of the main fire front starting spot fires, these may impact your home earlier than the main fire front,” RFS stated.

“Conditions across the fire ground have begun to ease, as firefighters and water bombing aircraft continue work to slow the spread of fire.”

Bushfire runs through bushland on Northern Beaches. Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Firefighters are working to control the blaze. Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Willandra Rd is currently closed between McIntosh Rd and Little Willandra Rd.

It’s understood a hazard reduction burn has been reclassified as “out of control” as firefighters work to contain the blaze.

The blaze is burning in an easterly direction towards Maybrook Ave.

A bushfire has been marked out of control in Oxford Falls. Picture: Supplied.

A hazard reduction burn has gotten out of control near Oxford Falls in northern Sydney. Picture: The Australian/Supplied

A Watch and Act warning has been issued for the area, advising residents that the fire is out of control and there is now a “heightened level of threat”.

Residents in the vicinity of Maybrook Retirement Village are being urged to prepare now for the possibility of evacuating the area.

Firefighters are working to control a hazard reduction burn at Oxford Falls. Picture: Facebook

Elsewhere, Firefighters are also working to control several out of control blazes at Bingleburra Rd, Bingleburra, in Dungog, Norman Av, Thornleigh, in Hornsby, Eels Pl in Parramatta.

Two out of control fires are also burning in Cessnock, at Cessnock Rd, Neath and opposite McMullins Rd, East Branxton.

Further north, out of control fires have also been reported in Kyogle, with firefighters focusing on Mount Lindesay Hwy, Dairy Flat and Mount Lindesay Rd in Lindsay Creek.

Originally published as NSW RFS respond to out of control fire in Oxford Falls