Properties are under threat and residents have been told it is too late to leave after a large bushfire escalated to emergency level on Monday afternoon in the state’s north-west.
The Duck Creek Pilliga Forest Fire in Narrabri began on December 8 and has since burnt more than 80,800 hectares.
The bushfire is so large that the smoke has spread to both Tamworth and Dubbo, which are 300 kilometres apart.
The fire briefly reached emergency level early on Monday morning, however, conditions worsened in the afternoon with the fire now threatening homes.
NSW Rural Fire Service Inspector Ben Shepherd said crews would be working tirelessly over the coming days. “This is a massive fire now that is going to require a massive effort, and it will be about getting through the next few days,” he said.
The blaze is believed to have been started by lightning. It was originally contained on December 14, but broke containment lines during last week’s heatwave.
In the NSW RFS emergency alert sent out on Monday afternoon, residents were told to seek shelter.
“The fire has crossed McCanns Road and is burning north towards homes and properties in the area of Bohena Creek,” the alert said. “If you are in the area of Bohena Creek you are in danger. Seek shelter as the fire approaches. It is too late to leave.”
An evacuation centre has been set up at the Crossing Theatre in Narrabri.
NSW RFS spokesperson Greg Allan said the bushfire would remain at emergency level until there was a significant change in conditions.
“The perimeter of the fire is quite large. It will be burning for some time,” he said.
On Monday evening, there were 47 trucks, eight aircraft and 100 personnel on the ground working to fight the blaze.
As of 6pm, there were 61 bushfires across the state, 18 of which are not yet contained.
A grass fire in Lue near Mudgee was also elevated to ‘watch and act’ level on Monday afternoon about 3.15pm.
It has since been downgraded to advice.
The fires come ahead of another hot day on Tuesday, with Sydney expected to reach 36 degrees in the city and 40 in the west. Temperatures will then drop to a top of 23 in Sydney and 21 in the west on Wednesday.
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