By Shannon Corvo, ABC
At least six houses have been destroyed in Kollewong on the Central Coast. Photo: ABC News
- The Rural Fire Service and NSW Police confirm up to 10 homes have been lost to fires on the NSW Mid North Coast and Central Coast.
- NSW is experiencing a dangerous bushfire day, with total fire bans and severe heatwave warnings across the state.
- The Bureau of Meteorology says gusty winds and intense heat, with possible thunderstorms, are forecast.
Up to four homes have been lost in the Bulahdelah fire on the Mid North Coast and as many as six in a bushfire burning on the Central Coast, Australian authorities say.
Live video from the network news helicopter shows at least six houses destroyed in the fire on Nimbin Road at Koolewong.
The fire has just been upgraded to emergency level.
Residents in the area are at risk and are being urged to leave now, if the path is clear towards Woy Woy.
The bushfire at Koolewong has impacted trains on the Central Coast and Newcastle line, with no services running between Gosford and the Hawkesbury River.
Commuters are also advised that trains will stop on platforms or between stations for longer than normal, while the incident is ongoing.
Trains have stopped running on the Central Coast and Newcastle line, after a fire broke out on Nimbin Road at Koolewong. Photo: ABC / CENTRAL COAST COUNCIL
'Perfect combination' of weather conditions
The state is experiencing another dangerous bushfire day, with crews stretched, as fires burn across regional areas.
As of 1pm (local time), more than 50 fires burned across the state, with nine yet to be contained.
Blazes have threatened homes, farms and major roads, with extreme fire danger forecast for eastern and central NSW.
Senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said areas of most concern were eastern and central NSW.
"We have severe heatwave conditions for much of eastern NSW, basically from Newcastle all the way down to around Batemans Bay, and extending inland as well," he said.
Strong wind and intense heat was expected for most of NSW Saturday.
"We're seeing temperatures in the high 30s to the low 40s, and strong and gusty winds, which is a perfect combination for fires to develop and grow, if they do get going," Narramore said.
"We're concerned and we could also see some thunderstorms as well today, and that could spark more fires."
Authorities were urging people to monitor warnings, prepare early and avoid unnecessary travel in fire-prone areas.
Total fire bans have been declared for nine districts across the state. Photo: ABC / RFS
Fires still burning
A bushfire in the Upper Hunter near Muswellbrook at Milsons Gully was still burning, as well as a grass fire near the Pacific Highway at Bulahdelah on the Mid North Coast.
The RFS urged people to be cautious, with expectations "very hot, dry, windy" conditions could potentially make things worse.
"The [Milsons Gully] fire activity is likely to increase, particularly along the Bylong Valley Way and potentially the Golden Highway," RFS operational officer Monica Bentham told Newcastle's Saturday Breakfast.
"These roads may close at short notice due to smoke and fire impacting, so it's important people monitor the conditions very closely today and know what they're going to do.
"Identify a safe location in case a situation changes and you can't leave and this may include a well-cleared area or solid structure or their home on the opposite side of the fire."
She said access to the Pacific Highway fire ground at Bulahdelah had been "very difficult" in the formidable terrain.
"We are relying a lot on heavy plant to help push in and consolidate containment around the fire, which has been tough," Bentham said.
"But we are also very lucky we have an amazing fleet of specialist aviation resources to help with bucketing water onto the fire to help with suppression, and also our bigger planes that can drop retardant lines to help slow that spread."
Bentham said it was thought lightning from a storm a few days ago sparked the fire, but firefighters will not be able to confirm this as the area will not be "safe enough for people to enter for quite some time".
Manning Great Lakes Detective Inspector Paul Quigg said the fire had impacted approximately 1400ha.
"I can confirm one property at Crawfords River has been totally lost, and there's unconfirmed a further three properties have been lost," he said.
"At this stage the fire is still raging in that area, so it's still a hot fireground.
"Until the fire is under control by Rural Fire Service crews, we can't confirm the total loss of houses at this time."
There were no reports of injuries at this stage.
Detective Inspector Quigg said with continued hot conditions, residents should stay aware.
"Today and tomorrow, again hot conditions, so all emergency services are working very closely together ... to try and get these fires under control and ensure there is no further damage to property," he said.
The RFS is fighting more than 50 fires across NSW amid intense heat, including this one at Taree on the Mid North Coast. Photo: ABC / RFS Taree
Deliberately lit fires
RFS Taree Fire Station Captain Anthony Shoesmith said there had been a number of grass and bush fires along the outskirts of local housing areas in recent days.
He said it appeared some of the fires had been purposefully lit and urged people to consider the potential impact on life and property.
"In Taree overnight we had quite a few fires deliberately lit unfortunately, but we managed to get those under control," he said.
"It is a dangerous act to light a fire, the wind can change direction, it can cause property damage, endanger life, so it is concerning for us."
- ABC News
