A bushfire in the Blue Mountains has been declared an emergency with people being told to leave their homes if they do not have a survival plan.
People near Baden Place in Blaxland are being told to leave now if that is their plan or if they are not prepared for a bushfire as the uncontained fire burns in a southeasterly direction and temperatures reach 39 degrees.
The fire was burning near Warrimoo school where students took cover in the school hall. A bus has since arrived to take them home.
“If your plan is to leave or you are not prepared, leave now if the path is clear,” the Rural Fire Service said in its issued advice.
“Seek shelter if the fire impacts on your property to protect yourself from the heat of the fire.”
People are also being warned that burning embers could be blowing around the area where this is also thick smoke.
@secret123ind Trains are no longer running between between Warrimoo and Blaxland pic.twitter.com/eOR2YKRLXq
— Tina (@secret123ind) November 14, 2014
“Well prepared and actively defended homes can offer safety during the fire,” the RFS said.
A total fire ban was in place on Friday and is expected to remain on Saturday with the RFS also suggesting farmers avoid harvesting in the heat. The service has attended 20 fires in the past week caused by agricultural equipment.
The highway has been closed and an emergency warning text message has been sent to phones in the area.
The #Warrimoo fire in the Blue Mountains has been upgraded to emergency level | http://t.co/TdgIwWfe7j pic.twitter.com/CytGWG2eoe
— James Law (@JournoLawJ) November 14, 2014
RFS deputy commissioner and director of operations, Rob Rogers, said grass fires moved incredibly quickly and the highway would not be opened until firefighters had control of the fire.
“This is reinforcing the fact that people should have a survival plan,” he told ABC television.
“Their triggers should be staying and defending or leave. It is not a mandatory evacuation, we are saying now is the time to make that decision. If you choose to stay, then you might need to stay throughout the fire duration, but there are a lot of fire trucks there to support people. If people are concerned, talk to the crews in the streets.”
