The exact toll of the damage 'won't be known for some time'
Homes, buildings and facilities have been destroyed on the Mid North Coast, but the NSW Rural Fire Service said that "the exact number won't be known for some time, as Building Impact Assessment Teams inspect the widespread area that has been affected."
Firefighters battle flames near Forster.Credit:Dean Sewell
Buildings in Rainbow Flat and a school in Bobin are confirmed as being destroyed.
What we know so far
- As of 8.30pm, there are still 82 fires around the state of NSW
- 16 of these are rated as emergency level fires
- So far, there have been zero fatalities
- Residents in parts of Taree, Port Macquarie and other north coast areas have been evacuated
- The Pacific Highway is closed between Taree and Bulahdelah, and at Port Macquarie between the Oxley Highway and Hastings River Drive
- Four of the state's 21 fire areas will have total fire bans tomorrow
The bushfires have forced emergency services to close the road at the intersection of The Lakes Way and Blackhead Road, north of Forster-Tuncurry.Credit:Kate Geraghty
Blue Mountains fire downgraded in severity as fire crews battle on
A rare sliver of good news tonight, with the one emergency fire outside of northern NSW downgraded to "watch and act".
The 10 hectare fire at Woodford earlier today remains in "out of control" status but fire crews are working hard to prevent any property losses.
Slew of flights cancelled across all airlines
Flights out of Sydney to most places have been either delayed or cancelled, with Virgin Australia and Qantas saying the airport is in single runway operations due to strong cross-winds.
The strong winds were referenced earlier by the BOM as being crucial to determining how the fires will continue to blaze throughout the weekend.
The departures board at T2 Sydney Airport on Friday night. Credit:Aparna Khopkar
Entire Queensland suburb evacuated due to fire
The entire sunshine coast suburb of Tewantin was being evacuated late on Friday afternoon as a large bushfire beared down on the region.
It was one of over 50 bushfires that had flared up on Friday as part of tinderbox conditions caused by strong dry westerly winds and above-average temperatures.
Police advised just after 5pm Friday that they were evacuating the entire suburb of Tewantin for residents' safety.
While the north is lashed with fires, it's snowing in Thredbo
"The level of fire activity we've seen today is quite intense, but it is pretty normal to see such differences in temperature between the north and south of the state," Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Rosemary Barr told the Herald.
She said that while the areas near the fire are pulling in winds from the desert, the southern parts of the state are getting winds from colder states and the ocean.
Snow falls in Thredbo. Credit:Rob Taylor
"In the north we're seeing north to northwesterly winds that are bringing hot and dry air, which is being dragged in from central and northern Australia."
"The southwesterly winds in the south are pulling in air from the southern parts of the country and the ocean, which is why there's such a significant difference in temperature."
'If you are near these fires, your life is at risk'
A new warning on the RFS website has advised people in Tenterfield, Armidale, Clarence Valley, Port Macquarie, Nambucca, Kempsey and other mid-coast areas that they could be at risk if they are near one of the many blazes.
"If you are near these fires, your life is at risk and you need to take action to protect your life. Stay up to date on bush fires in your area through the NSW RFS website, the Fires Near Me NSW Smartphone application, local radio, and social media," the warning said.
"If you are near a fire at Emergency Warning level, take action now to protect your life. If you are threatened by fire, seek shelter in a solid structure and protect yourself from the heat of the fire.
"Remember – a safe location may be nearby, such as a well cleared area, a well prepared and defended property, or a Neighbourhood Safer Place. Roads may be closed, or impacted by fire. Do not be caught in a car or on foot in a fire. Avoid travel to these areas"
RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said that there were more than twice the number of emergency fires than ever before recorded in NSW.
“We have never had this many fires at emergency level,” he said.
A near-deserted Pacific Highway near Port Macquarie as it was closing this afternoon. Credit:Megan Gorrey
The Rural Fire Service say that 57 fires remain uncontained around the state
16 of the emergency fires are located in the north of the state, with one in the Blue Mountains.
Some of the fires are so intense they are starting to create their own clouds, BOM says
"This change is likely to be quite vigorous," he said.
"This is particularly dangerous for fires, it can change the direction and elongate them and shift them. Given the particularly dangerous situation, I urge you to remain vigilant and listen to emergency services."
Mayor says he's never felt this level of anguish
MidCoast Council mayor David West says he's anguished as residents brace themselves in the face of volatile fire conditions near Taree.
Midcoast Council mayor David West said he's "never felt a sense of anguish that I do now". Credit:Dean Sewell
"From my personal perspective, it's horrifying," he told AAP on Friday afternoon.
"I've never felt a sense of anguish that I do now, the fear for my community."
Mr West said a fire near Forster threatened a council building on Thursday night.
"It was literally a wall of yellow, horrible, beastly, tormenting flames," the mayor said.
"It was a horrendous beast."
Most Viewed in National
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "NSW bushfires LIVE: Residents under threat as RFS fights to contain out-of-control blazes - smh.com.au"
Post a Comment