Drivers told to postpone travel because of bushfire crisis

Travellers in NSW are being urged to think seriously about their holiday plans due to dangerous conditions that have closed major highways.

Travellers in NSW have been urged to reconsider their holiday plans amid dangerous bushfire conditions that closed a number of key roads.

NSW Fire Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said “serious issues” remained across key roads after three major arterials in the state had reopened.

“I understand some highways have now reopened — the three key arterial roads have reopened,” he said on Sunday morning.

“We still have some serious issues along other key roads like the Kings Highway, which are continuing to be affected and closed as a result of these fires.

“While conditions have eased today, it is a good reminder that people need to remain vigilant and stay across what is going on.”

Mr Fitzsimmons urged holiday-makers to use their smartphones to stay up to date, and also monitor the NSW Live Traffic website.

As of 4pm Sunday afternoon there were 20 roads closures due to bushfires across the state.

Live traffic as of 4pm Sunday afternoon.

The Kings Highway from Braidwood to Nelligen remains closed in both directions. Araluen Rd from Moruya to Braidwood, while not impacted by fire, is closed due to unsafe conditions and is not a suitable detour for the Kings Highway, authorities say.

Motorists can use the Snowy Mountains Hwy via Bega and Cooma as alternative routes.

In the Blue Mountains, the Great Western Highway yesterday reopened in both directions between Katoomba and Lithgow, but Bells Line of Road remains closed, restricting travel in and out of the area.

This morning, the Great Western Highway between Harley Ave and Victoria Palls Rd is heavily congested in both directions due to ongoing backburning operations.

The Old Hume Hwy between Hume Mwy and Bridge St Yanderra to Picton has reopened.

Visitors have been told to avoid the Blue Mountains as Bells Line of Road between Coach House Road and Darling Causeway is closed in both directions, and Darling Causeway is inaccessible between Bells Line of Road and Station Street.

The Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens is also closed.

The Hume Motorway between Campbelltown and Sutton Forest reopened after being closed in both directions yesterday, and the Princes Highway from Falls Creek to Yatte Yattah has also reopened.

NSW Police assistant commissioner Karen Webb said earlier on Saturday the state’s residents should delay all non-essential travel.

“Delay your travel until tomorrow … conditions will be much milder and you can have a better trip,” Ms Webb told reporters.

Ms Webb later said commuters and travellers were “getting the message” to undertake essential travel only.

Fire danger was rated “catastrophic” on Saturday in the Greater Sydney, Illawarra-Shoalhaven and Southern Ranges regions and “extreme” in the Hunter, the ACT and the Central Ranges.

CURRENT NSW ROAD CLOSURES:

• Braidwood to Nelligen: Kings Hwy between Narranghi Rd and Reid St

• High Range to Taralga: Wombeyan Caves Rd between High Range Lane and Taralga Rd

• Kurrajong to Bell: Bells Line of Rd between Old Bells Line of Road and Darling Causeway

• Megalong Valley: Megalong Rd at Shipey Rd

• Bell to Lithgow: Chifley Rd between Bells Line of Rd/Darling Causeway and Hartley Vale Rd

• Tabulam to Lower Duck Creek: Hootens Rd and Paddys Flat Rd between Clarence Way and Bruxner Way

• Bell to Mount Victoria: Darling Causeway between Bells Line of Road and Station St

• Hampton to Oberon via Jenolan: Jenolan Caves Rd and Edith Rd between Duckmaloi Rd and Shooters Hill Rd

• Burrundulla to Wallerawang: Castlereagh Hwy between Spring Flat Rd and Main St

• Broke to Bucketty: Wollombi Rd/ Paynes Crossing Rd/ Great North Rd

• Bucketty to Kulnura: George Downes Dr between Great Northern Rd and Walkers Ridge Rd

• Bucketty to St Albans: Great Northern Rd/ Wollombi Rd

• Hill Top to Couridjah: Wilson Dr/West Pde between Stella St and Bargo River Rd

• Nowra Hill to Charleyong: Braidwood Rd/Nerriga Rd between Albatross Rd and Stewarts Crossing Rd

• Nowra Hill to Callala Bay: Forest Rd closed between Princes Hwy and Callala Bay Rd

• Ilford to Wallerawang: Castlereagh Hwy between Ilford Sofala Rd and Main St

• Jackadgery to Glen Elgin via Gibraltar Range: Gwydir Hwy between Murphys Rd and Camp Rd

• Yarrowtich to Mount Seaview: Oxley Hwy between Kangaroo Flat Rd and Mount Seaview

• Putty to Milbrodale: Putty Rd between south of Long Weeney Creek Trail and Milbrodale Rd

• Oaky Park (east of Lithgow): Bells Rd between Brewery Lane and Zig Zag Railway

• Jerrawangala to Tomerong: Turpentine Rd between Princes Hwy and Braidwood Rd