Out-of-control fire rips through Central Coast, forcing evacuations and destroying homes amid record heat in NSW
A ferocious bushfire has destroyed 12 homes on the Central Coast as NSW swelters in 40C heat, with more than 75 fires burning across the region.
A ferocious bushfire has destroyed 12 homes on the Central Coast as NSW endures extreme heat and more than 75 fires burn across the state.
The Koolewong blaze, which tore downhill towards Woy Woy through the afternoon, forced residents to flee as flames swept along Nimbin Rd, Glenrock Pde, Lara St and Nimala Ave before spotting across Woy Woy Bay.
Footage from the area showed multiple large homes on fire beside the train line and shoreline.
An evacuation centre at Gosford RSL remains open, with about 60 people seeking shelter.
Central Coast Councillor Jared Wright said the community was rallying around affected families, adding that in moments like this the region “always bands together”.
More than 1500 firefighters and 300 vehicles were deployed statewide as temperatures soared, with Penrith climbing above 41C and extreme fire danger declared across the Hunter, Sydney, Illawarra and Central Coast.
NSW Premier Chris Minns described it as “a very challenging day” for emergency crews and “a devastating day for people who have lost their homes”.
He urged the public to closely follow official warnings.
RFS Commissioner Trent Curtin said lightning and a significant wind change expected between 2am and 5am Sunday would be monitored closely overnight.
Mr Minns confirmed 12 homes had been damaged or destroyed in Koolewong and warned that figure “may rise”.
Deputy Commissioner Ben Millington said firefighters had battled intense heat and strong winds, describing the fire threat as “very difficult at this stage”.
About 250 firefighters, 50 trucks and nine aircraft continue to work across the Koolewong and Woy Woy Bay area.
The Milsons Gully fire in the Goulburn River National Park remains at emergency level.
Residents in Baerami, Baerami Creek, Widden, Yarrawa and Kerrabee were earlier told it was too late to leave and to seek shelter immediately.
Authorities warned that spot fires could ignite ahead of the main front and that major roads, including the Golden Highway, may close without notice.
Further north, the Bulahdelah fire has burned through more than 2800 hectares since Thursday, destroying up to four homes in the Crawford River area.
Firefighters are relying heavily on heavy plant machinery and aircraft due to the steep and difficult terrain.
Deputy Commissioner Millington said activity at the fire increased again as temperatures climbed in the afternoon.
NSW RFS Commissioner Trent Curtin said developing weather conditions, including lightning strikes, will be monitored overnight.
“We’re also concerned about the wind change that is expected to come through … somewhere between 2am and 5am tomorrow,” Mr Curtin said.
“That will create very challenging conditions for firefighters, and we’ll need to monitor those conditions. And we’re asking members of the community in that area to monitor those conditions as well.”
Rural Fire Service Deputy Commissioner Ben Millington said temperatures and strong winds had been a challenge for firefighters.
“It’s going to take several hours to get through this weather. We have warm temperatures, some strong winds on that fire, so it is very difficult at this stage, and there is a very big threat still in place,” Mr Millington said.
“We are asking people to heed the warnings, take advice from firefighters on the ground.”
Transport on the Central Coast and Newcastle line was heavily disrupted, but Woy Woy train services resumed at about 5.30pm, easing delays for stranded commuters.
Earlier, replacement buses queued for hundreds of metres at Hornsby as staff handed out water in the 40C heat.
Central Coast Council confirmed late Saturday afternoon that the fire damaged water infrastructure at the Koolewong Reservoir, though water supply to the community has not been impacted.
“There is currently no impact to community water supply and Council staff are working with emergency services to inspect the damage as soon as it is safe to do so,” the council said.
Temperatures across NSW soared on Saturday, with Penrith recording 41.7 degrees just before 3pm and Sydney Airport reaching 39.2 degrees at 12.30pm.
Extreme fire danger is forecast for much of the Hunter Valley, Greater Sydney, Illawarra and Central Coast regions.
“We’re expecting things to heat up quickly now that the sun is up,” Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Christie Johnson said on Saturday.
“This is the third day of hot temperatures for many areas, so we are seeing that heat building over a couple of days and often the third day is the most dangerous day for heatwave conditions due to the heat build up … and the warm nights overnight not giving much relief from that heat.
“It’s really important for everybody to stay safe and stay cool.”
An extreme fire danger alert was issued for the Greater Sydney Region on Saturday.
“Extreme fire danger means that any fires that start today will be very hard to control and the RFS advises people in areas of extreme fire danger to action their bush fire survival plan,” Ms Johnson said.
A total fire ban was also put in place across the Greater Sydney Region, Central Ranges, North Western, Illawarra/Shoalhaven, Greater Hunter, Upper Central West Plains, Northern Riverina, Lower West Central Plains and Eastern Riverina.
Aussies have been urged to pull out the fans or air conditioner to keep cool as temperatures soar.
“Severe heatwaves can be dangerous for many people, especially older people, babies, children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with medical conditions and people who are unwell,” the Bureau of Meteorology stated in a warning.
“Seek a place to keep cool, such as your home, a library, community centre or shopping centre.
“Close your windows and draw blinds, curtains or awnings early in the day to keep the heat out of your home.”
Originally published as Out-of-control fire rips through Central Coast, forcing evacuations and destroying homes amid record heat in NSW
