‘Unprecedented’: 99 bushfires burning across NSW as extreme conditions fan flames
The fire danger is very high to extreme across eight regions in NSW today, with 92 fires burning across the state.
40 of those are out of control with Total Fire Bans in place from Sydney to the Queensland border and 17 Emergency Warnings in place across the state.
A fire west of Tenterfield has been upgraded to an Emergency Warning, while three others are rated Watch and Act as high temperatures and windy conditions fan the flames.
Residents at Nymboida, inland from Coffs Harbour, are being told to leave their homes now.
Blazes in Port Macquarie and Woodford are now encroaching on a number of homes.
TRAFFIC | Bushfires have closed the Pacific Highway between Taree and Bulahdelah.
It’s also closed at Port Macquarie between the Oxley Highway and Hastings River Drive. pic.twitter.com/MtHWlb86FD
— 2GB 873 (@2GB873) November 8, 2019
New South Wales Rural Fire Service spokesperson Greg Allen tells Ben Fordham there are almost 60 fires yet to be contained.
“It’s pretty easy to say it’s unprecedented for this amount of emergency warning fires at this time of the season for NSW.
“We need to make sure that residents in these areas are protecting their lives.”
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An Emergency Warning has been issued for a fire in Hillville, on the western side of the Pacific Highway, north of Possum Brush and south of Rainbow Flat.
Rural Fire Service Deputy Commissioner Rob Rogers tells Ray Hadley they are concerned about the development of the fire.
“The heat of the day is starting to pick up so the fire activity is started to accelerate.
“We’ve got some horrendous conditions this afternoon.”
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Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons tells Ray conditions are extremely challenging.
“We saw properties being damaged or lost yesterday and there’s every likelihood we’ll see that again today as the conditions deteriorate.
“We’re expecting worse conditions today than what we had yesterday.”
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Image: RFS NSW