Hot, dry weather has resulted in a number of bushfires burning across New South Wales, with firefighters combatting more than fifty blazes across the state. The focus currently is on a reportedly out of control blaze affecting the Port Stephens in the Hunter region, which has burnt 6,500 hectares of land.
There’s been some intense footage and imagery appearing online as firefighters battled the blaze along an 80-kilometre front.
Homes under threat as fire intensifies near Cessnock. Now at Watch and Act status. @1233newcastle for latest info. pic.twitter.com/6PDXn724lf
— David Marchese (@davidmarchese) November 6, 2016
A pair of 16-year-olds are believed to have sparked a bushfire in the Shoal Bay area in a campsite despite a fire ban. They were detained by locals and have been arrested, but police say there did not appear to be any malicious intent to their actions.
Blazes were being battled over the weekend on the outskirts of Sydney‘s north and west. The NSW Rural Fire Service have issued a statement on the current situation:
Easing conditions this evening has seen the threat to homes from this fire ease.Residents of Limeburners Creek, Karuah, Swan Bay and Nine Mile Creek should continue to monitor the situation and take advice from firefighters in the area.The threat to North Arm Cove and Carrington has eased and at this point the fire is no longer expected to affect these communities.Overnight, crews will work to identify containment lines and backburning will be undertaken if conditions allow.Temperatures tomorrow are expected to reach the early thirties will north westerly winds returning. This may push the fire towards the communities of Swan Bay and Medowie.The Pacific Highway is now open, however motorists are advised to use caution when driving through the area as firefighters may be working near the road.
We’ll keep you updated as the situation develops.
Source: ABC Online.
Photo: NSWRFS.
