Bushfire crisis: First NSW emergency warnings, Sydney chokes on smoke
Sydney is choking on smoke as the first emergency warnings go out for fires across NSW.
- Air quality plunges
- First emergency warning
- ‘Howishe? No … whereishe?
- Yacht race scrapped amid smoke
- Smoke now ‘hazardous’ as alarms ring out
Air quality has plunged, Sydney is choking on smoke, buildings have been evacuated and ‘false’ smoke alarms have sounded across the city. The bushfire crisis gripping NSW is building with a “lethal” combination of high temperatures, low humidity and strong winds creating horrific conditions for firefighters battling 83 blazes burning from the south coast to the Queensland border.
Kieran Gair 8.02pm: Fire at emergency level
An emergency warning has been issued for the Little L Complex fire, in Yengo national park near Singleton.
Residents in the area of Glenroy Estate are being told “too late to leave” and they should instead “shelter as the fire approaches.”
EMERGENCY WARNING - Little L Complex, Yengo NP (Singleton LGA)
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 10, 2019
Increasing fire Glenroy Estate area, near Putty Rd. If you're in the area of Glenroy Estate, it's too late to leave. Shelter as the fire approaches. Protect yourself from the heat of the fire. #nswrfs #nswfires #alert pic.twitter.com/wX5RzUl0r0
This is the first fire to worsen this evening, after others were downgraded during the day.
There is increasing fire in the Glenroy Estate area, near Putty Rd, the RFS said.
The blaze has been burning for about a month and has burnt through 67,000 hectares.
It’s understood as many as 100 properties may be under threat.
Debbie Schipp 5pm: 83 blazes, erratic winds, smoke-choked commuters
Erratic winds are the big fear for weary fire fighters across NSW on Tuesday night, with 83 fires burning across the state.
Of those, 40 are not contained. At 5pm, 12 are at ‘Watch and Act’ level.
Waterbombing and ground control have kept most at bay today, but the threat is still clear in the Blue Mountains, in far northern NSW and of course, north of Sydney where the ‘megablaze’ of Gosper’s Mountain and associated fires continues to menace, and locals continue their uneasy wait.
Meanwhile, in Sydney, air quality remains appalling, despite a southerly change shifting some of the smoke trapped in the Sydney basin.
Commuters are battling choking smoke, cancelled ferry services and sporadic false smoke alarms, and have been warned to stay indoors if possible.
Temperatures have eased but air quality remains hazardous, and the forecast is the smoke will be with Sydneysiders for many more days.
Tomorrow, there are three areas with total fire bans: Central ranges, Northwestern and Northern slopes.
At 5pm there are 83 bush and grass fires burning across the state, with 40 yet to be contained. Twelve fires remain at Watch and Act, and three areas of northern and central NSW will experience Total Fire Bans tomorrow. Know what you will do if fire threatens. #nswrfs #nswfires pic.twitter.com/OCrn5Es3rf
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 10, 2019
4.55pm: Fireys have ‘nothing left in the tank’
A former fire chief has warned firefighters working 16 hour days have “nothing left in the tank”.
Former Fire and Rescue NSW commissioner Greg Mullins voiced his fears for the welfare of volunteers on Tuesday afternoon while himself on the way to fight the Mangrove Mountain blaze on the NSW Central Coast, AAP reports.
Mr Mullins said crews were working 12-hour shifts and with many travelling two hours each way to reach fire grounds, meaning they faced 16 hour days. “Everyone is getting pretty worn out and, in my experience, that’s where all the bad stuff happens,” he told AAP.
“The troops, if they’re worn out, you get to a stage where it just overwhelms everyone, so that’s a worry.”
“I’m buggered … and I haven’t done as many (shifts) as some people,” he said. “People will step up. Firefighters – they are men and women who give their all — they will do whatever is asked of them and more but I do fear for their welfare.”
3.35pm: Blue Mountains fires flare, Three Mile downgraded
Fires in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, are on the move.
The Ruined Castle fire is increasing on Narrow Neck Plateau, with the large air tanker brought in to help fire fighting efforts on the ground, according to the RFS.
There is also a “Watch and Act’ in force for a fire burning south of the Turon River in the Lithgow LGA.
At the Three Mile Fire on the Central Coast, waterbombing and efforts on the ground have reduced fire activity and that fire is now at Watch and Act level.
Advice - Ruined Castle fire (Blue Mountains LGA)
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 10, 2019
Fire activity is increasing on the Narrow Neck Plateau. The Large Air Tanker is helping firefighters work to slow the spread of the fire. #nswrfs #nswfires pic.twitter.com/b6SByIiQ1f
Further up in the NSW north, the Bangala Creek fire north of Drake and east of Tenterfield in Far Northern NSW is spreading in multiple directions due to erratic winds.
Watch and Act - Bangala Creek fire (Tenterfield LGA)
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 10, 2019
The fire is burning north of Drake near Paddys Flat Road in the Pretty Gully & Stockyard Gully areas. Erratic winds are causing the fire to spread in multiple directions. More information: https://t.co/hmeoNvayVJ pic.twitter.com/Mv4vhCTQdw
Debbie Schipp 3.30pm: Chaotic commutes
Sydney ferries are cancelled because of visibility, and parked at Circular Quay.
Buses have been brought in to replace them.
Meanwhile, on the trains, there’s no shortage of confusion.
Smoke in the CBD has set off alarms at Wynyard.
When an alarm is triggered, Opal card readers become inactive.
Due to bushfire smoke, fire safety alarms may activate at some stations.
— Trains Info (@TrainsInfo) December 10, 2019
Please follow the instructions of staff.
Opal gates will be affected should an alarm be activated. If you require a fare adjustment, please see: https://t.co/YIPyvCX0YG pic.twitter.com/tLk1ddCpi9
Debbie Schipp 2.20pm: Unions say ‘work indoors’
Unions NSW assistant secretary Thomas Costa says no workers should be forced to be on outdoor job sites amid the haze.
“Toxicity is very, very high,” Mr Costa told AAP.
“(They should) tell bosses they want to leave and we’re encouraging employers to let them go.”
The group says “work outside is not longer safe without protection” and has advised all non-essential workers to work indoors or from home.
2.10pm: Air quality plunges
Smoke across parts of the Sydney basin is so thick that air pollution has been deemed 11 times worse than the typical “hazardous” level.
Bushfires ringing the Harbour City — including in the Hawkesbury region and near Warragamba Dam — have caused the thick blanket of smoke to settle in the city basin, AAP reports
The NSW environmental department on Tuesday afternoon reported that the air quality index in Sydney’s east and northwest was more than 11 times worse than the prescribed “hazardous” level.
The AQI provides a general indication of air pollution including visibility levels and the prevalence of particles in the air.
Sydney’s southwest, meanwhile, was more than five times worse than the “hazardous” level of 200 AQI.
Those with heart and lung issues have been told to avoid all outdoor physical activity, while all people in Sydney should limit their time outdoors.
1.40pm: Wind change increases danger
A forecast southerly change has hit the firegrounds, with strong gusty winds moving through NSW, the RFS reports.
It’s dropped temperatures on the ground by 10 degrees in ten minutes, and will push the fires north.
The southerly change has arrived and is moving through the firegrounds. There are gusty winds and temperatures have dropped by 10 degrees in 10 minutes. The change will push the fires in a northerly direction.#nswfires #nswrfs pic.twitter.com/EcdZ6f9DRN
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 10, 2019
Wally Mason 1.23pm: ‘Howishe? No … whereishe?’
NSW’s pace bowlers have made short work of Queensland in their Sheffield Shield clash at the Sydney Cricket Ground, despite the fact they could barely see what they were bowling at.
As thick smoke from bushfires to the north and west of Sydney enveloped the ground, making it impossible to see from one side of the field to the other, the Blues rolled the Bulls for 176.
From the stands it was difficult to pick out the players labouring in sweltering temperatures and a pea-soup atmosphere.
Trent Copeland, Sean Abbott, Harry Conway and Liam Hatcher sweated it out in conditions more commonly associated with Delhi, where smog regularly smothers India’s fixtures.
Match officials and medical staff will continue to monitor readings but at this stage there is no indication of play being halted because of the haze.
Debbie Schipp 1.16pm: Emergency warning: Three Mile fire
The Three Mile Fire in the Hawkesbury area north of Sydney has been upgraded to “emergency”.
The fire has joined with the Wrights Creek fire, the RFS says, and is strengthening around Central Mangrove and Kulnurra.
Residents have been warned it’s too late to leave.
EMERGENCY WARNING - Three Mile (Hawkesbury and Central Coast LGA)
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 10, 2019
Fire activity is increasing. If you are in the area of Central Mangrove and Kulnura, it is too late to leave. Seek shelter as the fire approaches. Protect yourself from the heat of the fire.#nswrfs #nswfires pic.twitter.com/kofriGAHVm
Debbie Schipp 1pm: Silver lining in choking smoke
As smoke alarms sound out across Sydney, triggered by the choking conditions, there’s a silver lining. According to the RFS deteriorating fire conditions have been delayed by the thick blanket smothering the city and surrounds.
But they warn strengthening winds this afternoon will end the brief respite for the 2700 firefighters in the field.
Meanwhile, ferry services have been cancelled on Sydney Harbour due to poor visibility.
At Sydney airport, some flights are delayed but so far not cancelled.
False smoke alarms are being set off across the state, causing premises to be evacuated and disrupting public transport.
It’s one of Sydney’s worst air quality days since this bushfire season began.
Deteriorating fire conditions have been delayed by a thick blanket of smoke over eastern NSW. Strengthening winds may see fire conditions worsen this afternoon. At 12pm there are 85 fires burning, 42 are uncontained. Around 2,700 firefighters are in the field. #nswfires #nswrfs pic.twitter.com/xYYaNJ30oN
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 10, 2019
12.30pm: Temperatures soar, ‘grotty’ smoke health fears
Temperatures are soaring across NSW, with authorities concerned about dangerous bushfire conditions around the state and the potential for thick plumes of smoke to cause health problems.
The Bureau of Meteorology says “severe heatwave conditions” are building.
These conditions, combined with “grotty” smoke pollution, will put stress on vulnerable people in the coming days, authorities have warned.
The haze may cause breathing issues for those with heart or lung disease, while Sydneysiders have been encouraged to stay indoors and avoid exercise, AAP reports.
NSW Health environmental health director Dr Richard Broome said Tuesday would be “very
The NSW environment department says visibility across the entire Sydney basin is at “hazardous” levels on Tuesday, while air quality was very poor in southwest Sydney and hazardous in parts of northwest Sydney.
Ferry services were halted after using their foghorns to negotiate the harbour this morning.
Debbie Schipp 12.20pm: Smoke alarms go off across Sydney
The RFS headquarters at Sydney’s Olympic Park were on Tuesday briefly evacuated due to the heavy smoke in the area setting off alarms.
There are numerous reports of smoke alarms are being activated across the city because of the thickness of the smoke, some forcing businesses to be evacuated.
Fire alarms are being activated at UNSW campuses, because of the high level of smoke in the air. I wonder if any alarms are going off yet in the office of the PM?? pic.twitter.com/BTFSckKLAc
— Timothy O’Leary (@teoleary1) December 10, 2019
Wally Mason 12.10pm Smoke cancels Big Boat challenge
The Big Boat Challenge, the traditional clash of the supermaxis on Sydney Harbour ahead of the Sydney-Hobart yacht race, has been abandoned because of thick smoke blanketing the city.
The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia has confirmed Tuesday’s race has been scrapped because of safety issues. Smoke from several bushfires to the north and west of Sydney have severely limited visibility on the harbour.
The CYCA the safety of competitors and spectators was its prime concern and abandoning the race was the only responsible action to take.
“Our thoughts, of course, are with those worst-affected by the bushfires – and those fighting the fires across the state.”
11.20am: Megafire builds
The Gospers Mountain ‘megafire’ in the Hawkesbury is stirring, with the RFS advising fire activity has increased across the fire ground with conditions expected to further deteriorate.
The Three Mile fire, also in the Hawkesbury and the Central Coast is also building, with the RFS warning residents of Kulnura, Lower Macdonald, Central Macdonald, Lower Mangrove, Greengrove, Mangrove Creek, Mangrove Mountain and Central Mangrove to monitor conditions.
Watch and Act: Gospers Mountain (Hawkesbury LGA)
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 9, 2019
Fire activity has increased across the fireground. Conditions are expected to deteriorate today. This may see the fire spread to the east and north following a southerly change. More info: https://t.co/ekOSH2RQ4v #nswrfs #nswfires pic.twitter.com/SaUNFw3MZJ
Also at Watch and Act level is the Kerry Ridge fire around Muswellbrook, where the RFS says fire activity has increased in the areas of Gum Tree Hole and Kindarun and is burning toward isolated properties north of The Ovens and Bin Ben.
The Green Wattle Creek fire burning in Wollondilly on both sides of Lake Burragorang on Sydney’s western outskirts has also been upgraded to watch and act. That fire has already burned through about 100,000 hectares.
Rural Fire Service commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says the “drought-stricken landscape” will exacerbate the “sheer size and number of fires” burning near Batemans Bay, around the ACT, in southwestern and northern Sydney, on the mid-north coast, and near Kempsey and Tamworth.
Watch and Act: Green Wattle Creek (Wollondilly LGA)
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 9, 2019
The fire is burning on both sides of Lake Burragorang. Fire activity is increasing across the fireground. To find specific advice for your area, click here: https://t.co/EEfgjtAhGC #nswrfs #nswfires pic.twitter.com/NLUHRs7FwM
11.15am: Air quality ‘hazardous’
Meanwhile, vast swathes of Sydney, the Illawarra, Hunter and the central Coast regions are now at hazardous air quality levels.
Light winds and an abundance of #smoke has seen parts of Sydney and its surrounds observe low visibility and #hazardous air quality levels. Smoke will slowly lift through the morning and a southerly change is expected this afternoon, though this will not clear the smoke. pic.twitter.com/eZVrEdhXYC
— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) December 9, 2019
People throughout coastal NSW are experiencing smoke haze this morning. Westerly winds have pushed smoke toward the coast. Smoke has settled over the city of Sydney. It will continue to linger until temperatures rise later in the day. pic.twitter.com/sajDEMUDvP
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 9, 2019
EARLIER:
Sydneysiders woke on Tuesday morning to an instant haze of smoke, with the CBD shrouded in thick smoke from sunset.
Of the 87 fires burning across the state on Monday, more than 40 were uncontained. Fire crews put in “kilometres and kilometres and kilometres” of containment lines on Monday, Mr Fitzsimmons said.
The RFS will deploy about 2900 firefighters on Tuesday, with reinforcements from interstate and overseas set to ease the burden on exhausted crews from NSW.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned Tuesday would be “very dangerous”.
“That combination, as we know, has been lethal in the past few months,” she said.
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned much of inland NSW will face 40C-plus temperatures on Tuesday. There will also be heatwave conditions in the ACT, Northern Territory, Victoria and Western Australia.
Temperatures are expected to reach the low 40Cs in greater Sydney, with residents warned to prepare for the return of bushfire smoke. Strong winds will push smoke over the CBD on Tuesday afternoon.
Air quality in Coffs Harbour, Bathurst, Tamworth, Gunnedah and Canberra is also expected to reach hazardous levels by mid-afternoon.
There’s “severe” fire danger forecast for several NSW regions, including the greater Hunter, greater Sydney, Illawarra-Shoalhaven, southern ranges, central ranges and the ACT.
Mr Fitzsimmons said his firefighting crews were beginning to feel the toll amid an unprecedented bushfire season in which six lives and more than 680 homes have been lost.
“They’ve been flogged now for months, particularly up in the north … and (with) the fire activity extending further south we’re literally rotating through thousands of people every day, every week,” he said.
Victoria threat
Twelve bushfires continue to burn across Victoria, with evacuation warnings still in place in the state’s East Gippsland region.
A watch-and-act warning remains in place for residents on the Timbarra settlement, about 340 kilometres northeast of Melbourne, after a blaze began during Monday’s extreme heat.
“Don’t wait, leaving now is the safest option — conditions may change and get worse very quickly,” the warning reads on Tuesday morning.
The bushfire is travelling in an easterly direction and firefighters are working to contain it.
A bushfire directly south of Timbarra, in the town of Ensay, is also out of control with a watch and act warning in place for residents in Ensay North, Holstons and Reedy Flat.
“Staying close to a building you can shelter in is the safest option as conditions can change suddenly,” the warning reads.
About 100 firefighters are working to put out the blaze, with an emergency warning downgraded overnight.
Another 10 bushfires are burning across the state, covering about 47,000 hectares, according to the Country Fire Authority.
“The fires mainly cover remote forest regions, where extreme dryness and rough terrain is making it difficult for firefighters to reach,” a spokeswoman told AAP.
Northern and northeast Victoria remains at very high bushfire risk despite the cool change overnight.
Melbourne’s temperature peaked at 38C on Monday and it was 42.4C in Mildura.
Additional reporting: Rachel Baxendale
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