NSW bushfires: Authorities warn of horror summer of bushfires
Authorities are warning the bushfire nightmare is not over for NSW, with a new challenge expected on Tuesday. Fire crews are bracing for conditions on par, if not worse, than those that fuelled the unprecedented emergency last week.
NSW
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It was the bushfire emergency firefighters feared — but expected. However, the nightmare has only just begun.
Multiple large fires burning across the state, the drought creating dangerous fuel conditions and a strong westerly wind pushing fire danger ratings off the charts.
In one of the most terrifying firefighting days in recent years, three people perished and there are fears for several others in a firestorm that took many residents by surprise.
An estimated 150 homes, schools and businesses between the Queensland border down to the NSW mid-north coast are believed to be destroyed, with the loss expected to rise as assessment teams move in.
And today, firefighters warned of yet more danger days to come.
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Tuesday 12 November will be a dangerous day.
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) November 9, 2019
Widespread areas of Severe and Extreme fire danger.
With so many fires already burning, homes and lives will be at risk.
If you are threatened by fire, you may not get help.
Start taking action now.https://t.co/RQyA5UiGJX #nswrfs pic.twitter.com/8fRpurJzrx
The state is now facing up to a dangerous summer of fires as several blazes burning in deep bush edge towards coastal populations.
The next challenge will come on Tuesday, with fire crews bracing for conditions on par, if not worse, than conditions that fuelled the unprecedented emergency last week.
NSW Rural Fire Service Inspector Ben Shepherd says fire crews are doing all they can before that day to control blazes already burning.
“We are looking down the barrel of a busy few days and potentially a dangerous day come Tuesday,” he told Seven News on Sunday.
“We’re trying to get as many of these fires under control before the onset of that weather on Tuesday, but look we won’t have these fires under control by that stage we’ll have to concentrate where it is burning close to residential areas.”
NSW Rural Fire Service fire behaviour analyst Simon Heemstra described the upcoming conditions as “very hot, very dry and very windy”.
“The three are lining up on Tuesday for potentially significant fire weather,” he said.
Over the next two days fire crews will be racing the clock to bring as many blazes as they can under control.
But containment efforts will be challenged by a drought-stricken landscape, where there is plenty of fuel and no moisture in the soil.
NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons described the resulting fire behaviour as “extraordinary”.
“You’ve got flammability of the fuel, which is seeing extraordinary fire behaviour, fires starting extremely quickly, spreading and burning very intensely,” he said.
“And very quickly with spot fire activity doubling or tripling what is normally expected over the fire conditions we have been experiencing.”
The fuel, coupled with gusty winds on Friday, created a situation where embers were travelling for more than 10km and starting spot fires.
“What we had on Friday was really deep mixing and it was pulling strong winds down and that was giving us that strong gustiness that was fanning the flames,” Mr Heemstra explained.
“That provides more heat and energy. Then the embers get higher into the atmosphere and are transported further.” In some regions, like Ballina and Armidale, the fire danger ratings on Friday were the highest on record. A decent downpour a week ago had little impact.
“The water sat on the surface and the wind we’ve had has taken it away and we are back to square one,” Mr Heemstra said.
Fire crews were drawing from rivers, ponds and streams when possible and relying heavily on areas where water supply wasn’t dire, like Coffs Harbour and the Richmond air force base.
On Friday night, firefighters around the Taree blazes could be heard calling in as properties became engulfed in flames.
One volunteer, who earlier called in to say his crew was “under attack”, declared: “It’s out of control here.”
Another firefighter spoke of being unable to save homes: “Three houses are gone and we are engaging in property protection, but going to pull out. House is unsaveable.”
Over at Frasers Creek, a call went out for resources to help a person who was trapped.
“We are going to try and put a defensive perimeter around the property,” a volunteer said. “Bridge involved in fire and is unpassable,” another said. Not all residents chose to leave their properties.
“There is a property here with 80 per cent of it surrounded by fire,” a firefighter said. “The owners do not want to leave.”
Emergency Services Minister David Elliott thanked the 1300 RFS volunteers and 200 NSW Fire and Rescue and interstate firefighters that were fighting the blazes.
Originally published as NSW bushfires: Authorities warn of horror summer of bushfires