Warnings as fires still raging out of control in NSW

Dramatic images have emerged of firefighters tackling a massive fire on NSW’s south coast as the state braces for another tough day.

Incredible images have emerged of firefighters tackling an out-of-control bushfire on NSW’s south coast, as the state braces for another day of tough conditions and some residents being told to flee their homes.

The images, taken overnight, shows RFS volunteers and NSW Fire and Rescue officers fighting a bushfire encroaching on properties near Termeil on the Princes Highway between Bateman’s Bay and Ulladulla south of Sydney.

The fire is now spanning 47,400 hectares and is not yet under control.

It has destroyed at least one home near Kioloa so far, and residents in the coastal community of South Durras are being told to leave their homes, if it is safe to do so.

RFS volunteers and NSW Fire and Rescue officers fight a bushfire encroaching on properties near Termeil on the Princes Highway between Batemans Bay and Ulladulla. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

The fire, spanning 47,400 hectares, is still out of control. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

It has destroyed at least one home. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

The RFS says there are 110 bush and grass fires still burning in NSW, with 45 still to be contained.

The crisis has meant the air quality in parts of the state, including Sydney, has become so bad that breathing it in all day is equivalent to smoking dozens of cigarettes a day.

Bushfires surrounding Sydney will again pollute parts of the city today, following on from another day of “poor” air quality yesterday.

RFS, NSW Fire and Rescue, NPWS officers and local residents fight a bushfire encroaching on properties near Termeil on the Princes Highway between Bateman’s Bay and Ulladulla south of Sydney,Tuesday, December, 3, 2019. Picture: Dean Lewins/AAP

The most highly polluted areas of Sydney, in the southwest, registered 680 PM2.5. yesterday, according to NSW Department of Environment data.

According to an app that compares pollution with smoking, that reading was the equivalent of 34 cigarettes if someone breathed in the air all day.

The Daily Telegraph has crunched the numbers for other parts of the state – showing that breathing air outside all day in the city’s east yesterday was similar to smoking 19 cigarettes, while Port Macquarie hit 17 ciggies a day and Lismore 20.

Sydney’s air quality is set to be ‘poor’ again today. Picture: Christian Gilles

Warm, dry and windy weather is forecast for the state today, with total fire bans in place for the greater Hunter Region, the northern slopes region and northwestern NSW.

Fire danger ratings are very high along the NSW coast as well as in the southern and central ranges.

“Windy and generally dry conditions will result in elevated fire dangers across parts of NSW (on Wednesday),” the Bureau of Meteorology said. The State Government has again forecast “poor” air quality for parts of Sydney, with thick smoke settling in the city basin.

Smoke from bushfires continues to affect large parts of NSW, reducing air quality. If you have a chronic respiratory or heart condition follow these tips from Dr Richard Broome. #NSWFIRES pic.twitter.com/BbhPygGDcJ

— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) December 2, 2019

Lingering smoke could be “unhealthy for sensitive people and could cause symptoms, especially in people with heart or lung disease”, the state’s environment department said.

Air quality was “hazardous” in Sydney’s east and southwest on Tuesday but “good” in the northwest.

The smoke is coming from large bushfires in the Blue Mountains and others near Warragamba Dam and in the Hawkesbury area.

There were 111 fires burning across NSW on Tuesday evening, with 54 of these uncontained.

Around 110 fires are still burning in NSW Picture: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

The Currowan blaze near Batemans Bay has so far destroyed at least one home near Kioloa.

The fire reached coastal areas on Tuesday evening.

Damage assessment teams investigating the impact of the Currowan fire have so far been hampered by ongoing dangerous conditions.

“The fire has reached the coast in some areas,” the NSW Rural Fire Service said on Tuesday evening. “Firefighters and aircraft are working to protect homes where possible.”

The Currowan fire has burnt through more than 30,000 hectares. A second emergency alert was issued on Tuesday night for a bushfire burning near the northwestern outskirts of Sydney.

The 1800-hectare Three Mile fire is near the town of Wisemans Ferry and is close to the eastern boundary of the 220,000-hectare Gospers Mountain blaze. The emergency warning was downgraded to a watch-and-act alert later on Tuesday night.