A massive bushfire burning to the south-west of Newcastle has begun to impact the outskirts of Lithgow, NSW RFS has advised.
The Rural Fire Service has issued four emergency warnings for fires burning in NSW, including a massive fire burning at Gospers Mountain, which had been downgraded earlier on Saturday morning.
Embers have begun impacting Lithgow and residents have been told to put their bushfire survival plan into action.
The bushfire, which has burned through 459,000 hectares has combined four firegrounds at Kerry Ridge, Little L Complex, Gopsers Mountain, Three Mile and Grose Valley.
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RFS declared a catastrophic fire danger on the fireground on Saturday, with crews battling high temperatures, strong and gusty winds and low humidity.
Firefighters have been battling four fires in the area, which are expected to spread to the north, west and south under hot, dry and windy conditions on Saturday.
Residents have been advised that other areas surrounding the fire may still come under threat if conditions change such as forecasts, or fires breaking containment lines.
"Under catastrophic fire danger, your safest option is to leave bush fire prone areas early in the day," Rural Fire Service has said.
Advice for residents:
Lithgow, Hermitage Flat, McKellars Park, Cobar Park
- The fire is now impacting the outskirts of Lithgow.
- Embers are currently impacting parts of Lithgow. These may create spot fires and threaten property.
- Know what you will do if the fire threatens.
- Activate your bush fire survival plan.
- If you are threatened by fire, seek shelter in a solid structure to protect yourself from the heat of the fire.
Bowen Mountain area
- The fire is moving east towards Bowen Mountain.
- Leave now towards North Richmond.
Hartley Vale
- Fire activity is increasing in the area.
- It is too late to leave.
- Seek shelter as the fire approaches.
- Take shelter in a solid structure to protect yourself from the heat of the fire.
Bell, Clarence and Dargan
- Fire activity is increasing in the area.
- It is too late to leave.
- Seek shelter as the fire approaches.
- Take shelter in a solid structure to protect yourself from the heat of the fire.
Areas from Bilpin to Kurrajong Heights
- Fire activity is increasing in the Bilpin area, on the southern side of Bells Line of Road.
- It is too late to leave.
- Seek shelter as the fire approaches.
- Take shelter in a solid structure to protect yourself from the heat of the fire.
Current Situation and Advice
Oaky Park, Morts Estate, Corney Town, Vale of Clwydd
- Monitor the changing conditions.
- Stay alert for embers in the area.
- Embers can be blown well ahead of the fire, starting spot fires that can threaten homes before the main fire front.
- If you plan to leave or are unprepared, leave early.
Cullen Bullen
- Continue to monitor conditions.
- Take advice from firefighters working in the area.
- Be ready to take action in case conditions change.
- Follow your bush fire survival plan.
- If you plan to leave or are unprepared, leave early.
Wallerawang, Lidsdale and Blackmans Flat areas
- Fire activity remains active in the Wallerawang area, on the southern side of the fire.
- Continue to monitor conditions.
- Be ready to take action in case conditions change. Know what you will do if fire threatens.
- If you plan to leave or are unprepared, leave early.
Angus Place and Wolgan areas
- The fire has crossed Wolgan Road and is burning in the Ben Bullen State Forest.
- The fire has crossed Wolgen Valley and is spreading towards Cullen Bullen.
- If you are in the Wolgan Valley area, continue to monitor conditions, and know what you will do if the fire threatens.
- Be ready to take action in case conditions change.
- Follow your bush fire survival plan.
- If you plan to leave or are unprepared, leave early.
Glen Davis, Glen Alice and Bogee areas
- Fire continues to burn in a westerly direction within the Wollomi National Park.
- Continue to monitor conditions, and know what you will do if the fire threatens.
- Be ready to take action in case conditions change.
- Follow your bush fire survival plan.
- If you plan to leave or are unprepared, leave early.
Newnes Junction
- Continue to monitor conditions.
- Take advice from firefighters working in the area.
- Be ready to take action in case conditions change.
- Follow your bush fire survival plan.
- If you plan to leave or are unprepared, leave early.
Mt Wilson, Mt Irvine and Itchenstoke
- Continue to monitor conditions.
- Take advice from firefighters working in the area.
- Be ready to take action in case conditions change.
- Follow your bush fire survival plan.
- If you plan to leave or are unprepared, leave early.
Mt Lagoon, Berambing and Mt Tomah
- The fire continues to burn on both sides of the Bells Line of Road, and is now burning in the Grose Valley.
- Fire activity is moderating and there is no immediate threat to property.
- Continue to monitor conditions.
- Take advice from firefighters working in the area.
- Be ready to take action in case conditions change.
- Follow your bush fire survival plan.
- If you plan to leave or are unprepared, leave early.
Kurrajong
- The fire is moving east towards Kurrajong.
- Ensure that your property is well prepared.
- Be ready to take action in case conditions change.
- Follow your bush fire survival plan.
- If you plan to leave or are unprepared, leave early.
Putty area
- Continue to monitor conditions, and know what you will do if the fire threatens.
- Be ready to take action in case conditions change.
- Follow your bush fire survival plan.
- If you plan to leave or are unprepared, leave early.
Colo, Upper Colo and Colo Heights areas
- The fire has passed through these areas.
- Be aware of the dangers of trees and branches falling.
- Continue to monitor conditions.
- Be ready to take action in case conditions change.
- Follow your bush fire survival plan.
- If you plan to leave or are unprepared, leave early.
Lower Macdonald, Upper Macdonald and Perrys Crossing area
- Fire has passed through this area.
- Be aware of the dangers of trees and branches falling.
- Monitor conditions and be ready to take action.
- Follow your bush fire survival plan.
- If your plan is to leave or you are not prepared, leave early.
Mogo Creek, Fernances, Bucketty areas
- Backburning operations continue in this area.
- Crews continue to patrol and monitor the area.
- Be ready to take action in case conditions change.
- Follow your bush fire survival plan.
- If you plan to leave or are unprepared, leave early.
Safer Location
- Richmond Club - East Market Street, Richmond.
If you are threatened by fire
- Do not be in the path of the fire.
- Protect yourself from the heat of the fire. Wear protective clothing and footwear. Cover all exposed skin.
- If the fire impacts, seek shelter in a solid structure to protect yourself from the heat of the fire.
- If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000).
- If you are in an area that has already been affected by fire, there may be small areas of active fire burning for some time. Be aware of the dangers of trees and branches falling.
The details of this report are developing. It will be updated.
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