Narrabri residents warned about out-of-control bushfire near Duck Creek

An enormous out-of-control bushfire is affecting millions of people hundreds of kilometres away after burning through more than 100,000 hectares of land.

Smoke from a mammoth bushfire in northern NSW is affecting residents as far as Sydney, with authorities warning people to stay inside.

Burning at Duck Creek, about 17km south of Narrabri, the blaze threatened homes and lives overnight to Tuesday and is still out of control despite being downgraded to a watch and act alert.

The fire has already burnt through more than 112,000 hectares of land, which has helped fuel an enormous amount of smoke that is blanketing the northeastern corner of NSW.

With smoke reaching as far as Coonamble, Tamworth, Dubbo, Newcastle and Sydney, the Rural Fire Service has urged anyone with a respiratory condition to activate their health management plan and stay inside with the windows closed.

The intense heat from the blaze caused a thunderstorm. Picture: RFS

Sydney has been blanketed by smoke from the fires. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

The smoke is expected to clear later on Tuesday evening when forecast southerly winds move through the state.

Video taken of the fire in The Pilliga Forest shows flames leaping into the treetops and smoke billowing hundreds of metres into the air.

Smoke from fires burning in the states north is currently being experienced across the north west of NSW, into the Hunter region and down into the Greater Sydney area. The smoke is expected to clear later this afternoon when forecast southerly winds move through the state. pic.twitter.com/o8p6IsfywF

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 19, 2023

Firefighters are battling the blaze on the ground and from the air, with water bombers deployed in the area.

Though the threat of the fire has been reduced, those in Baan Baa, Goolhi, Rocky Glen, Stannix Park, Bohena Creek, Jacks Creek and Wynella have been warned to monitor conditions in case the situation changes.

The fire reached emergency level overnight, as strong winds whipped the blaze into a frenzy, even generating its own weather.

Watch and Act: Duck Creek Pilliga Forest Fire, (Narrabri LGA)
Firefighters supported by aircraft continue to slow the fires spread and protect properties. While rain is beginning to fall across the northern parts of the fire, storm activity could cause erratic fire behaviour. pic.twitter.com/CcUaklE7HN

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 19, 2023

The enormous blaze has raged through 112,000 hectares. Picture: RFS

Water bombers have been brought in to try to stop the blaze. Picture: RFS

“Overnight the fire generated a thunderstorm (pyro-cumulonimbus) to the southeast of the fireground, causing dangerous and erratic fire behaviour,” the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) said.

There are concerns that an ember attack could rain down burning pieces of debris on homes far away from the fire front.

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