Bushfire on Sydney northern beaches caused by controlled burn gone wrong downgraded to ‘watch and act’

A bushfire on Sydney’s northern beaches has been downgraded as firefighters gained control of the large blaze with no property losses reported. But residents are on alert for possible flare-ups.

The bushfire emergency began after a controlled burn jumped containment lines at lunchtime.

The bushfire emergency on Sydney’s northern beaches was downgraded late on Saturday afternoon, as firefighters gained control of the large blaze with no property losses reported. But residents of Cromer Heights were warned to stay alert for possible flare-ups.

The bushfire has been downgraded to ‘watch and act’, after residents were on Saturday afternoon told it was too late to leave their homes after a hazard reduction burn got out of control at lunchtime on Saturday.

Around 80 hectares have been burnt around Oxford Falls as a bushfire fanned by high winds threatened the homes of residents in Cromer Heights, who were told to seek protection.

Home are still under threat, with residents urged to monitor properties for ember attacks.

After declaring an official warning at emergency level, the highest, the Rural Fire Service downgraded the alert level to watch and act at 4.23pm.

Residents are also being urged to prepare to leave Oxford Falls as firefighters work to control the burn in the Northern Beaches suburb.

Waterbombing aircraft joined more than 100 firefighters on the ground in battling the blaze, with three aged care homes in the surrounding area under threat.

And residents in neighbouring Narraweena have been warned to prepare for ember attacks.

“Embers will be blown long distances ahead of the main fire front starting spot fires, these may impact your home earlier than the main fire front,” the NSW Rural Fire Service warned. NSWRFS media manager Ben Shepherd said the planned burn at Meatworks Ave in Oxford Falls had jumped containment lines around 1.30pm.

EMERGENCY WARNING: Meatworks Fire, Northern Beaches LGA
The fire continues to burn in the vicinity of Cromer Heights. Those in the areas of Narraweena and Cromer should prepare for ember attack. For more information: https://t.co/9x2emEwFlxpic.twitter.com/qZVroFQdrI

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) September 21, 2024

The fire is the vicinity of Oxford Falls Rd, 2km north west of Beacon Hill.

The view of the fire at Oxford Falls from a neighbourhood located more than 5km away. Picture: David Tanner

A bushfire has been marked out of control in Oxford Falls.

Bushfire runs through bushland on Northern Beaches. Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

The blaze is burning in an easterly direction towards Maybrook Ave.

Residents in the vicinity of Maybrook Retirement Village are being urged to prepare now for the possibility of evacuating the area.

EMERGENCY WARNING: Meatworks Fire, Northern Beaches LGA
A fire is burning near Oxford Falls, burning east towards Cromer Heights. If you are near Pinduro Pl, Jersey Pl, Maybrook Ave, Kirrang St, you are at risk. Seek shelter now. It is too late to leave. https://t.co/9x2emEwFlxpic.twitter.com/R3ADcmIxMc

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) September 21, 2024

Elsewhere, firefighters are also working to control several out of control blazes at Bingleburra Rd, Bingleburra, in Dungog, Norman Av, Thornleigh, in Hornsby, Eels Pl in Parramatta.

Two out of control fires are also burning in Cessnock, at Cessnock Rd, Neath and opposite McMullins Rd, East Branxton.

Further north, out of control fires have also been reported in Kyogle, with firefighters focusing on Mount Lindesay Hwy, Dairy Flat and Mount Lindesay Rd in Lindsay Creek.

Check the Hazards Near Me NSW app here or visit NSW Rural Fire Service.

A resident seeks to protect a property. Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

The fire is close to homes. Picture: Facebook