carolinephillips

We had rain at last, but it has done nothing to damp the fires down, and in fact made things more dangerous for the firefighters as conditions underfoot became treacherous.

I am praying that today is not too bad, though they are warning of apocalyptic conditions.

Pollyana

From what I can see skimming my work emails the conditions are likely to be pretty horrific today, as borne out by the way people are being told to leave.

Truly horrific, I can't even begin to think what its like. I have a huge fear of fire and ccan only guess at the emotions people are feeling. Added to the whole horror of leaving your home not knowing if you will come back.

Its big news over here in the UK, first subject on the lips of a lot of people I've met - like cab drivers, bar staff, cabin crew, rather than friends.

Does anyone know if any BE members have been directly affected with losses as yet?

Stay safe guys

old.sparkles

Emergency Warning - Linksview Road Fire, Springwood (Blue Mountains) 23/10/13 16:19


The fire in the Springwood and Faulconbridge area has flared up. Burning embers are being blown towards homes in the area.


Current Situation

Fire intensity has picked up in the Faulconbridge and Springwood area, around Chapman Parade, Grose Road and Douglas Road due to the strong and gusty winds. Power has been cut to Chapman Parade, Faulconbridge.

Burning embers are being blown towards homes. People in the area should be alert to burning embers.

Additional firefighters have been sent to the area. The Air Crane is working in the area.

An emergency alert telephone warning is being sent to people in the area.

Advice

Be alert to burning embers. Put out any spot fires which may start on your property.

If the fire impacts on your home, seek shelter immediately to protect yourself from the heat of the fire.

Many residents have already relocated from the area.

old.sparkles

Emergency Warning - Gateshead fire (Lake Macquarie) 23/10/13 16:12


An Emergency Warning is in place for a fire burning in the area of Dudley and Redhead, south-west of Newcastle.


Current Situation

The fire has crossed Redhead Road and is moving in an easterly direction between Dudley and Redhead, through the Awabakal Nature Reserve towards the coast.

There are reports of possible spot fires in Dudley. Crews are dealing with any new outbreaks.

More than 70 firefighters are working in the area.

Fifteen children remain in the hall of the Redhead Public School. They are all fine and in a safe location. Parents of these children should not try to pick them up due to fire activity on local roads.

Advice

If you are in the area of Dudley or Redhead, seek shelter as the fire impacts.

Protect yourself from the heat of the fire.

old.sparkles

Emergency Warning - Stockrington Road fire, Minmi (Lake Macquarie) 23/10/13 15:40


An emergency warning is in place for a fire burning in the area of Stockrington Road at Minmi.


Current Situation

The fire is burning in the area of Stockrington Road at Minmi, west of the M1 Motorway and is burning towards Minmi.

Crews are also working around homes in Stockrington Road, Dog Hole Road and Seahampton Road.

The M1 remains closed. Check www.livetraffic.com for traffic information.

For Minmi residents who wish to leave, it is still safe to do so.

Students from Minmi Public School have been relocated to the Community Centre as a precaution only.

Advice

If you are in the area of Stockrington Road seek shelter as the fire impacts. Protect yourself from the heat of the fire.

If you are in the area of Minmi, follow your Bush Fire Survival Plan. If your plan is to leave, leave now if the path is clear.

Conditions may be changing.

Continue to monitor the situation and follow your Bush Fire Survival Plan.

Emergency Alert telephone warning messages are being sent to homes in the area.

Kapri

This is my area. Have collected the kids from school as the fire was close but heading in the opposite direction.
2 major fires now in the Newcastle area. Some friends are hosing their house down.
NSW has had enough now

old.sparkles

I thought of you when I heard it on the news - stay safe

Kapri

Thanks hon. My colleauge took some scary pics from his backverandah and it looked pretty fierce earlier but has just been downgraded to watch and act from emergency.
It was a reserve hearing down to the coast so I imagine there will be huge wildlife deaths and injuries but no homes or human lives lost, thankfully.

Pollyana

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politi...023-2w1vt.html

An army training exercise caused a massive fire in the Blue Mountains that ripped through more than 47,000 hectares of bushland last week, a Rural Fire Service investigation has found.

The Defence Department initially refused to comment except to say its own investigation into an explosives training exercise at the Marrangaroo training area, north of Lithgow, was ongoing.
A Rural Fire Service spokesman said the blaze before Wednesday had destroyed three homes, damaged one other and burnt down seven sheds or businesses.
But the RFS on Wednesday confirmed the fire began on the Australian Defence Force range and was sparked by explosive devices. ''That was the result of our investigation,'' an RFS spokesman said.

The Defence Department released a statement on Wednesday saying it was aware of the Rural Fire Services view and the department continued to ''co-operate fully with NSW authorities investigating the State Mine fire, including the NSW Police Force investigators who will prepare a report for the Coroner''.


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Unfreakin believeable. Worst fire season there for years, warnings everywhere, and ADF just wander in and set off explosives?
One thing to have these fires sparked off naturally, but when people who should know better are acting like this..........

============================================

Hoping everyone down there is safe, aand praying that those who have left their homes will find them intact when they return

old.sparkles

Emergency Warning - State Mine Fire (Lithgow, Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains) 24/10/13 16:03


A large bush fire is burning in the area around the Bells Line of Road. An emergency warning is in place for areas around Mount Irvine, Mount Wilson, Mount Tomah and Berambing.


Current Situation

Fire activity has intensified this afternoon under strong and gusty south westerly winds.

The fire has now crossed the Bells Line of Road into unburnt bushland west of Bilpin, close to Range Hill and the Explorers Range walking trail. The Aircranes are working in the area in an effot to slow the fire's progress.

As advised for the last few days, people in the Mount Irvine and Mount Wilson areas should not attempt to leave as the fire is burning around access roads and it is not safe to leave. Seek shelter if the fire impacts on your property.

People in the area around Mount Tomah and Berambing should relocate towards Bilpin.

There is still active fire in area to the south of Hartley Vale (near Mt York) to the west of Lawsons Long Alley. There is also the potential for spot fires into the Grose Valley.

Residents in the Lithgow / Mt Victoria / Blue Mountains areas should monitor conditions and be prepared to take action.

A TOTAL FIRE BAN is in force for the Greater Sydney, Greater Hunter, Illawarra / Shoalhaven and Central Ranges areas until further notice.


Advice

If you are in the Mount Irvine and Mount Wilson areas you should not attempt to leave as roads are closed. Seek shelter if the fire impacts on your property.

People in the area around Mount Tomah and Berambing should relocate towards Bilpin.

If you are in the area around Mount Tomah, be aware of burning embers and if the fire impacts on your property, seek shelter to protect yourself from the heat of the fire.

Kurrajong, Bowen Mountain and Yarramundi Communities - Although the fire is not in the immediate area, residents should prepare their home and continue to monitor the situation.



Check and follow your Bush Fire Survival Plan and prepare for a bush fire in your area. If your plan is to leave, or you are not prepared, leave early. Well prepared and actively defended homes can offer safety during the fire

old.sparkles

Emergency Warning - Mount York Road, Mount Victoria Fire (Blue Mountains) 24/10/13 15:11

An emergency warning is in place for the northern part of the Mount York fire, in the area around the Bells Line of Road. This fire is joined with the State Mine Fire, which is burning in the area of the Bells Line of Road

Current Situation

The northern side of the fire has now crossed the Bells Line of Road into unburnt bushland west of Bilpin, close to Range Hill and the Explorers Range walking trail. The Aircranes are working in the area in an effort to slow the fire's progress.

As advised for the last few days, people in the Mount Irvine and Mount Wilson areas should not attempt to leave as the fire is burning around access roads and it is not safe to leave. Seek shelter if the fire impacts on your property.

People in the area around Mount Tomah and Berambing should relocate towards Bilpin.

There is still active fire in area to the south of Hartley Vale (near Mt York) to the west of Lawsons Long Alley. There is also the potential for spot fires into the Grose Valley.

Blackheath and Mount Victoria may come under threat if fire advances beyond current control strategies with predicted weather conditions.

Areas that may come under threat are Mt Victoria, Blackheath, Shipley, Hartley Vale, Little Hartley, Megalong Valley and the Kanimbla Valley.



A TOTAL FIRE BAN is in force for the Greater Sydney, Greater Hunter, Illawarra / Shoalhaven and Central Ranges areas until further notice.


Advice

As advised for the last few days, people in the Mount Irvine and Mount Wilson areas should not attempt to leave as the fire is burning around access roads and it is not safe to leave. Seek shelter if the fire impacts on your property.

People in the area around Mount Tomah and Berambing should relocate towards Bilpin.

Residents of Springwood and Faulconbridge should be aware that local road closures may occur at short notice.

Pollyana

Very sad Died while actively fighing the fires near Ulladulla

David Black, 43, a husband and father-of-three from Trangie in central NSW, was waterbombing when his plane crashed in rugged bushland on Thursday morning.


http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/pilot-davi...#ixzz2icqtUacR

Dreamy

Absolutely tragic.

All the people - paid and volunteers - who risk their lives to keep us safe are true heroes.

Dorothy

That's awful. As Dreamy says, these are the true heroes out there trying to protect people and their homes.

irishbloo

Terrible tragedy.Poor guy just doing his job.