Bushfire smoke in NSW and Queensland visible in satellite footage

Thick, heavy plumes of bushfire smoke can be seen thousands of kilometres above stretches of NSW and Queensland.

Thick plumes of bushfire smoke have become visible more than 36,000km in the sky, as sections of NSW and Queensland continue to be battered by bushfires.

On Wednesday, the Bureau of Meteorology warned the smoke had created “smoky conditions and low air quality” in the two states.

#Bushfire smoke was visible from 36,000km above Australia this morning. Dozens of fires are burning around the country, creating smoky conditions & low air quality. @BOM_au is working with emergency services to provide constant weather info.
More: https://t.co/8tErwjQ3Uxpic.twitter.com/OmanSqgfRf

— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) October 18, 2023

The Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) said smoke would continue to affect areas in the state’s southeast corner and regions further west.

Children, the elderly, people who smoke and people with heart or lung conditions (including asthma) are most at risk of smoke sensitivity, with symptoms involving wheezing, chest tightness and difficulty breathing.

QAS advised people to avoid physical activity outdoors and keep their windows and doors closed.

People on lung or heart medications should also aim to have seven days worth of medication on hand.

In Queensland, an emergency ‘leave immediately’ warning has been issued for residents in Oyster Creek, including properties between Uxbridge Road, Oyster Creek Road, Muller Road and Coast Road, including Kirchner Road.

The alert was issued at 2.26pm local time, with households told their lives could be at risk and that conditions would soon become too dangerous to drive.

A watch and act notice is also in place for Capricornia Dr, Pacific Dr, Oceania Court and Muller Rd (including Sorensen Rd) in the nearby suburb of Deepwater.

Residents who have had to flee the area have been warned it is still not safe to return to their homes, with a fire between Muller Rd and Capricornia Dr still active.

In NSW, residents in Willi Willi Rd in Kempsey, Springwood Park Rd in Cope, McGuires Crossing Rd in Belmore River, and Bayshore Dr in Byron Bay have been advised to monitor conditions.

Firefighters in Cope and Belmore River are currently undertaking backburning to contain the bushfires while conditions have eased.

Advice: McGuires Crossing Rd, Belmore River (Kempsey LGA)
Firefighters are currently undertaking backburning operations in the vicinity of Hat Head to assist in containing this fire. Smoke from these operations will be visible in the town. https://t.co/JJWMxzp15Rpic.twitter.com/eugEAqmAlp

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) October 18, 2023

Tribute to man who died in bushfires

Earlier on Wednesday, the family of a man who died while trying to protect his family farm from bushfire on the NSW Mid North Coast have shared a tribute.

Richard Mainey, 56, stayed on the Temagog property with four family members to protect it from bushfires sweeping through the area, 30km west of Kempsey, on Monday evening.

His body was discovered beside his destroyed bulldozer.

Mr Mainey’s brother John and his wife Lila confirmed the news in a post shared to Facebook on Wednesday morning.

Richard Mainey, 56, was killed when a bushfire overwhelmed his family farm. Picture: Facebook

His body was found beside his bulldozer. Picture: Facebook

“With heavy hearts we share this sad news, on Monday evening we suffered a tragic loss,” they said.

“We lost our brother Richard Mainey in the bushfire, trying to save the family farm.”

Watch and Act: McGuires Crossing Rd Fire, Belmore River (Kempsey LGA)
The fire continues to burn in a northerly direction, to the south west of Hat Head. The fire may reach Hat Head Rd later this evening, cutting off access to the town. https://t.co/JJWMxzp15Rpic.twitter.com/tRQ7Usor8i

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) October 17, 2023

While conditions have eased overnight, firefighters will work throughout the day to establish containment lines around a large number of fires.This footage from the Willi Willi Rd Fire was captured last night, as strong southerly winds impacted the fire ground. pic.twitter.com/rkV4EqZKS0

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) October 16, 2023

They remembered Mr Mainey as a “caring brother and uncle” who was “always there if you needed a hand”.

“He was a quiet achiever, initiative and a mister fix it man,” they said.

“We will miss those dimples and cheeky grin more than words can ever say.”

The fire has burned through more than 22,000 hectares. Picture: RFS

The fire, which remains out of control on Wednesday, has burned through more 22,000 hectares of land in Willi Willi National Park and surrounding areas.

Southerly winds continue to push the fire in a northerly direction, with fire crews still working to protect properties in Willi Willi.

Firefighters are monitoring the spread of the fire to the northwest and south and preparing control lines.

The emergency alert level remains at Advice and residents have been warned to stay alert and monitor their surroundings.