Emergency alerts issued as out of control bushfire rage in Kempsey, NSW

Erratic winds have spurred on raging bushfires in NSW’s Mid North Coast, with the Rural Fire Service issuing multiple emergency warnings.

Erratic winds in NSW have fuelled out-of-control fires across the state, with some residents being warned their lives are at risk.

Firefighters are battling three out-of-control fires in the Kempsey council area, including a major blaze on Willi Willi Rd in Moparrabah, which has already burnt 5900ha across Willi Willi National Park and Boonanghi Nature Reserve.

The RFS warn the fire is “moving in multiple directions due to erratic fire behaviour,” and has yet to be contained.

Westerly winds have caused the fire to burn in a westerly direction across Toorumbee Rd, however the flames are expected to move in a northerly direction due to Monday night’s southerly change.

Residents in the area of Toorumbee Rd have been warned their lives are at risk and are urged to urgently seek shelter in a solid structure, like a home.

“If you are east of Moparrabah along Willi Willi Rd and the path is clear, head east towards Kempsey,” the RFS shared in an emergency warning.

“If you planned to visit the area, or live in the area but are away from home, do not return.”

Three out-of-control fires burnt across the Kempsey council area.

An evacuation centre has been opened at the Kempsey Showground, 19 Sea St in West Kempsey, for residents who have been affected by the fire.

Another out-of-control bushfire on Springwood Park Rd in Cope on NSW’s Mid-Western local government area, has also sparked a seek shelter warning as of 4.59pm.

Residents in the area of Springwood Park Rd and Cope Rd, and Ulan Rd around Cooks Gap and Ulan, have been warned it’s now “too late to leave”. Households are being told to seek shelter and avoid being caught in an open space while in the path of a fire.

“A safer location may include a well cleared area nearby. Neighbourhood safer places offer a place of last resort if there are no other options,” the RFS warned.

As of 6pm, 77 fires burnt across NSW. Picture: NSW

In an update from the RFS, the fire service said there were still 77 bushfires burning across the state as of 6pm, with 38 of them not yet contained. More than 800 firefighters and incident management specialists worked to contain the blazes.

The fire service urged residents to continue monitoring conditions, with highs of 39C and 37C forecast for the state’s North Western and Northern Slopes fire districts.

“Though weather conditions are expected to ease overnight, high fire danger is forecast across broad areas of the state tomorrow,” read a post from the RFS.

“Residents should continue to monitor the changing conditions and stay up-to-date with the latest information through the Hazards Near Me app and #RFS website.”

On Monday morning, bushfires also raged near one of Australia’s most famous beaches, with the horizon crowded by smoke plumes.

As of 6pm, the flames have burnt through 315ha, with fireys still fighting to control the blaze.

Firefighters have spent three days trying to control the flames which are burning about 5km northwest of Byron Bay between Bayshore Drive, Black Rock Road and Ewingsdale Road.

A bushfire has been burning beside Byron Bay’s iconic beaches for two days. Picture: Facebook

Residents and tourists are urged to continue to monitor conditions and check in with the RFS website for updated alerts.

The fire danger in the north of NSW soared to extreme levels on Monday with a total fire ban in place.

An aerial video of the fire zone uses thermal imaging to show the vast stretch of land where the fire is burning and its proximity to the coast.

Beachgoers shared startling images to social media on Sunday showing thick dark plumes of smoke rising from the bushland that backs onto Byron’s famous coastline.

Advice: Bayshore Dr Fire, Byron Bay (Byron LGA)
A bush fire is burning in the vicinity of Bayshore Dr, 5km NW of Byron Bay. The fire is burning between Bayshore Dr, Black Rock Rd and Ewingsdale Rd. Residents should continue to monitor conditions. https://t.co/SwFG8PzKTApic.twitter.com/BcnTGzO9zK

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) October 16, 2023

“There is currently no threat to property and the fire is burning between Grays Lane and Ewingsdale Rd,” a RFS Far North Coast spokesman said in a post to Facebook at about 1.30pm.

“Firefighting crews, supported by aircraft, are working on complete containment of the areas still burning.”

Smoke is forecast to continue to travel south throughout the day, across Byron Bay, Lennox Head, Suffolk Park & Ballina, however is expected to be lighter than it was on Sunday.

Locals are reminded not to fly drones near bushfires after multiple reports of the devices in the area.

Flying drones near emergencies are a safety hazard to aerial response teams and can result in critical aircraft being grounded.