NSW, Queensland bushfires: smoke hits Australian Open, to linger in Sydney under Saturday
Six emergency warnings are now in place for bushfires burning across NSW as hot westerly winds whip up more blazes, with reports of multiple homes lost.
NSW is yet again in the grip of an escalating bushfire crisis, with thousands of residents ordered to flee as seven emergency blazes threaten lives and property. Follow the latest below.
READ MORE: Bushfire smoke makes Sydney air quality worse than Delhi | Currowan bushfire: blaze doubles in size
Kieran Gair 10.48pm: Busy night ahead for fire crews
Five emergency level bushfires are expected to burn well into the night as NSW battles blazes stretching from the South Coast to the Queensland border.
Emergency warnings were issued for a total of seven bushfires on Thursday as hot westerly winds whipped up dangerous blazes across the length of the state.
On Thursday night, the Currowan fire north of Batemans Bay, the Three Mile blaze and the Gospers Mountain fire close to Sydney, the Green Wattle Creek fire near Warragamba Dam and the Little L Complex Fire near Wollombi were all still classed as emergency warning fires.
Fire crews battling the 230000ha Gospers Mountain blaze on Sydney’s northwestern outskirts, which has been burning for weeks, are desperately trying to stop the fire from merging with the 6000ha Three Mile blaze near Wisemans Ferry.
Kieran Gair 9.17pm: Fire crews ‘facing a long night’
As night falls, the NSW RFS has warned the next “few hours” could prove critical in the battle to bring five emergency blazes back under control.
Deputy Commissioner Rob Rogers said exhausted fire crews are facing a “long night” as “extraordinary conditions” continue to exacerbate the threat on the south coast, south west of Sydney, Hawkesbury, Central Coast and Hunter regions.
“The really difficult thing is just the amount of fire,” he told the ABC.
“People have seen since the beginning of August how much fire we’ve had in the northern parts of NSW.”
“We’ve now just replicated that in the central part of the state and the north is still going as well.”
“It’s quite extraordinary conditions.”
More than 2000 firefighters are currently battling 117 fires across NSW, 60 of which are uncontained.
Kieran Gair 7.52pm: ‘Blaze was right on my doorstep’
Darryl Leslight from Bawley Point on the NSW south coast told The Australian that the Currowan blaze was “right on my doorstep.”
“I know our neighbour has lost a couple of structures and it’s just a matter of luck we didn’t lose our house too,” he said.
“The fire literally went up to our doorstep but the fire fighters did an amazing job and somehow saved our house.”
Mr Leslight, who runs Ray White real estate offices in nearby Ulladulla and Mollymook, said he and his wife made the decision to flee on Sunday.
“It just wasn’t worth the risk,” he said. “We’ve got two boys and our older son has autism so he was getting quite anxious.”
230 firefighters were deployed to battle the Bawley Point blaze on Thursday after strong and erratic winds caused the blaze to jump the Willinga Lake.
The fire is active in the areas of Kioloa, Pretty Beach, Pebbly Beach, Depot Beach and Durras North. It is too late for residents to leave in those areas and are advised to monitor conditions.
The Currowan fire has burnt more than 55,000 hectares between Depot Beach, just north of Batemans Bay, and Termeil, south of Ulladulla.
Kieran Gair 7.14pm: ‘Multiple properties’ lost
At least one property has been destroyed in the bushfire burning on the NSW south coast and the RFS has warned that number is likely to rise.
Deputy Commissioner Rob Rogers said there are reports that “multiple properties” have been lost across “three firegrounds today.”
“The losses have been reported around Bawley Point, near Ulladulla, as well as a fire near Braidwood and the Hunter Valley,” Mr Rogers said on Thursday night.
EMERGENCY WARNING: Green Wattle Creek (Wollondilly LGA)
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 5, 2019
The fire has crossed Lake Burragorang and is spreading east. The fire has also crossed Ridge Rd. If you are in the area of Oakdale, Werombi and Orangeville, seek shelter as the fire approaches. #nswrfs #nswfires #alert pic.twitter.com/TRekViNUyp
Commissioner Rogers said it’s not yet known how many properties have been destroyed and whether they were homes or sheds.
Meanwhile, the Green Wattle Creek fire near Warragamba is back at ‘emergency warning’ level.
Residents in Oakdale, Werombi and Orangeville are advised to “seek shelter” as the fire approaches.
The blaze is spreading quickly in an easterly direction.
Kieran Gair 6.20pm: Uni students evacuated
Thousands of students are being evacuated from the University of Sydney’s Camden and Molonglo campuses after the RFS told college administrators the sprawling complex was at risk from a nearby out-of-control blaze.
In a statement to staff and students, the university wrote: “At this stage, there has been no specific impact on any University property.”
“All staff, students and visitors are directed to evacuate the site and not to return tomorrow.”
“Students living in accommodation at Camden have been evacuated until further notice and will be provided with emergency accommodation.”
Kieran Gair 6.11pm: Sydney drivers warned over smoke
Drivers in Sydney are being warned to avoid the roads amid fears clouds of hazardous smoke are compromising visibility.
A Road Weather Alert has been issued for all #Sydney suburbs. Reduced visibility in #smoke may make road conditions dangerous at times Thursday evening and during Friday, particularly for southern and south west suburbs. Current NSW warnings: https://t.co/QHNwJ7G5ih pic.twitter.com/nBaP1OLOn7
— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) December 5, 2019
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a rare “road weather alert” due to concerns over “reduced visibility.”
“Smoke may make road conditions dangerous at times on Thursday evening and during Friday, particularly for southern and south west suburbs.”
The warning will apply throughout Friday as well.
Time lapse from 10-3 of #smoke rolling in to #Sydney. Smoke will improve overnight but will persist Friday, especially in the west. Smoke should further improve over the weekend. Regional areas near fires will also continue to experience smoke. Forecast: https://t.co/N8zjnN6UQQ pic.twitter.com/y1KxdcRq0I
— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) December 5, 2019
Kieran Gair 5.57pm: Six NSW emergency warnings in place
Six emergency warnings are now in place for bushfires burning across NSW, from the South Coast to the Queensland border as hot westerly winds whip up more blazes.
Residents in Wisemans Ferry, north west of Sydney, are fleeing the town in droves, as an out of control blaze burns across the Hawkesbury River and threatens to engulf the community.
Gary Flynn from the Wisemans Inn Hotel is one of the few residents who have chosen to stay.
The fire has triggered at least two emergency warnings in less than 48 hours and Mr Flynn said the unpredictable blaze meant the town was “dead quiet.”
“We are just copping all the smoke,” he said on Thursday. “We are just keeping an eye on things at the moment. The town is dead quiet. It’s a different story for the poor buggers across the river.”
Kieran Gair 5.44pm: Panicked residents ‘trapped’ in homes
There are reports multiple people are trapped in their homes at several locations across NSW, with fire crews unable to reach them due to the intensity of the blazes.
In the NSW Hunter Valley, a number of panicked residents are posting on social media, including one man who has issued a plea on Facebook for help, claiming his Wollombi property is surrounded on both sides by fire.
RFS spokesman Greg Allan said fire fighters are stretched to the limit and “can’t send a fire truck to every door.”
“We advise people to seek shelter and for many it’s now too late to leave.”
Meanwhile, the potentially life-saving ‘Fires Near Me’ app is suffering sporadic outages as demand for information soars.
The RFS has assured residents in fire zones that it is aware of the problem.
“We’re working to resolve an issue with maps displaying on the Fires Near Me page and app,” the RFS said on its website.
“Check the major fire update section for up to date information on fire locations and advice on what to do if you’re in a fire affected area.”
But the word of warning has failed to ease the nerves of residents facing deadly fires that are burning across NSW.
“The Fires Near Me app is experiencing difficulties,” Natalie Ashkenazi wrote on Facebook.
“It’s adhoc down here as well,’ Elizabeth Clarence said.
Kieran Gair 4.45pm: Emergency warnings for NSW
NSW is yet again in the grip of an escalating bushfire crisis, with thousands of residents ordered to flee as seven emergency blazes threaten lives and property from as far south as Batemans Bay to just below the Queensland border near the fire-prone town of Drake.
On Thursday afternoon, the Bangala Creek, Currowan, Gospers Mountain, Green Wattle Creek, Little L Complex, North Black, and Three Mile fires were all burning at emergency levels.
Three firefighters have been airlifted to hospital after suffering severe burns while fighting a blaze at Green Wattle Creek.
Very difficult conditions for firefighters at a number of large fires this afternoon that are impacting on communities, including in southern NSW, south coast, south west of Sydney, Hawkesbury, Central Coast and Hunter regions. A long night ahead. #nswrfs #nswfires pic.twitter.com/QPCST3EMrg
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 5, 2019
In the NSW Hunter Valley, a number of panicked residents are reportedly trapped inside their homes and fire crews are so stretched they are unable to act on calls for help.
Lilian McCall claimed she has been told to stop contacting police.
“We have a fire very close to us and we are working hard to keep it away,” she posted on Facebook.
“I rang triple-0, and got a promise they would come but no show …”
#BawleyPoint https://t.co/LEX7qpTF9m
— krusty63 (@krusty63) December 5, 2019
In the Hawkesbury and southwest of Warragamba Dam, residents have been advised to evacuate if they aren’t staying to defend their homes.
The Rural Fire Service has warned residents in the Colo Heights area that it is “too late to leave” and people should seek shelter as the fire approaches.
Another large out-of-control bushfire on Sydney’s outskirts has jumped a lake and is moving towards nearby towns.
The Green Wattle Creek blaze, 30 kilometres west of Campbelltown, has been elevated to emergency level as fire crews try to slow its spread.
Further south, the emergency level Currowan blaze is predicted to reach the outskirts of the idyllic coastal town of Batemans Bay in a matter of hours.
At least one home at Bawley Point has been destroyed in the past hour, with hundreds more under immediate threat.
Residents in Kioloa, Bawley Point, Pretty Beach, Pebbly Beach, Depot Beach, Durras North, Termeil, Flat Rock and South Durras have already been advised to seek shelter.
Kieran Gair 4.30pm: ‘I’ve never seen something like this’
A former Australian Open champion claims he’s “never experienced something like this” as the tournament began amid hazardous conditions in Sydney on Thursday.
Ash is falling over Sydney and the CBD is barely visible, as an out of control blaze at Warragamba Dam pushes toxic plumes of smoke over large swathes of the city.
The Bureau of Meteorology says heavy smoke will linger in the city basin until Saturday.
Sydney’s east — where the tournament is held — and southwest were rated as “hazardous” for air pollution on Thursday, while northwest Sydney was between “very poor” and “hazardous”. The lower Hunter and Central Coast also had hazardous air quality.
“An overnight temperature inversion will trap the smoke in the Sydney basin. This means smoke will settle in many areas and be very heavy,” the RFS said in a statement.
Former winner Matt Jones snared the early clubhouse lead with a first-round four-under-par 67 on Thursday before saying visibility and comfort levels were among the worst he’d endured.
“It’s awful,” Jones said.
“I’m not sure what the forecast is but the smoke’s not good at all.
“It’s tough to see your golf ball when you’re out there playing, where it finishes.
“Your eyes do burn up. I’ve got that cough like you’ve got something in your lungs, phlegm in your lungs or whatever, but yeah it’s not fun.
“I hope my kids are inside in the hotel room.”
With several sporting events cancelled this week as bushfires continue to rage in NSW, children, the elderly and those with heart and lung conditions are most at risk.
Health authorities have advised people to reduce outdoor activities and seek medical advice if they experience difficulties.
Golf Australia boss said Stephen Pitt promised pre-Open to have ample medical staff on site at The Australian, while tournament director Trevor Herden was hoping forecast sea breezes would help clear skies by the weekend.
“Even when I played in China, I didn’t think it was like this at all,” Jones said.
“Definitely not in Malaysia. It’s just unbelievably humid (there).
“I’ve never experienced something like this.”
Welcome, mates!👋
— The Australian (@australian) December 5, 2019
20 firefighters from Canada have arrived in Sydney to support our firefighters battle bushfires across Australia 🇦🇺🇨🇦
Credit: NSW Rural Fire Service via Storyful pic.twitter.com/eKkY8lpM5Q
The NSW Environment Department’s air quality website has crashed amid an influx of Sydneysiders trying to access information about the extent of the city’s air pollution.
The thick smoke has also prompted workers at Port Botany in Sydney’s south to walk off the job, with the Maritime Union of Australia citing “serious concerns” over health.
The environment department says this season’s bushfire emergency has caused “some of the highest air pollution ever seen in NSW”.
“Recently NSW has experienced elevated levels of pollutants as a result of smoke from the bushfire emergency, and dust caused by the severe drought,” a spokesman said.
“NSW has experienced other periods of poor air quality that lasted several weeks, including the 1994 Sydney bushfires and the Black Christmas bushfires of December 2001 to January 2002.
“This event, however, is the longest and the most widespread in our records.”
With AAP
3.30pm: Firefighters still battling large fire in Queensland
One firefighter has been injured and there are fears properties have been lost to a fast-moving bushfire on Queensland’s Darling Downs.
The large fire, near Millmerran west of Toowoomba, sparked evacuations on Wednesday and has blackened almost 1200 hectares.
It’s continuing to burn in the Western Creek State Forest near Cypress Gardens and Forest Ridge, but the threat has eased.
One firefighter was injured by a falling tree during backburning operations and was treated in hospital and later released.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Deputy Commissioner John Bolger says there are unconfirmed reports that two structures have been lost but it’s not known if they are sheds or houses.
“We’re not sure of the number of properties that we’ve lost,” he has told the ABC.
“But we’ll have aircraft up and ground crews as soon as it’s safe to get in there and assess any damage.” Cypress Gardens resident Douglas Grist fled as the blaze roared towards his property on Wednesday.
“It looks like it (the house) could be lost, but I escaped with my life and the dogs,” he told the ABC.
The fire danger remains severe on Thursday on the Darling Downs and Granite Belt, with Queensland’s southeast experiencing very hot conditions this week. A watch-and-act warning remains in place for residents of Cypress Gardens and Forest Ridge.
The fire continues to burn near Cypress Avenue, Wallaby Drive, Koala Drive, Paddys Creek Road, Thyme Avenue, Basil Drive, Sage Road, Rosemary Court, Bay Road, Kimberley Drive and the Gore Highway, Cypress Gardens. People who don’t have a bushfire plan have been advised to leave. Those who left on Wednesday have been told it’s not safe to return, with an evacuation centre is open at the Millmerran Showgrounds.
Part of the Gore Highway remains closed between Cypress Gardens and the BP at Captains Mountain.
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