Total Fire Ban until Further Notice!
Emergency Warning – State Mine Fire (Lithgow, Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains) 20/10/13
Posted: 20/10/2013
A bush fire is burning near the township of Bell. The fire also continues to burn around the areas of Dargan and Clarence.
Current Situation @ 19:43
An Emergency Alert telephone warning message is being sent to the community of Bell.
The community of Bell are advised to leave now if not prepared and travel west along the Bells Line of Road towards Lithgow. The Lithgow Workers Club is open as an Evacuation Centre.
A TOTAL FIRE BAN is in force for the Greater Sydney area until further notice.
The fire continues to burn at the top of Scenic Hill. There may be intermittent closures of Chifley Road due to smoke and / or fire.
Crews are currently back burning in and around the Bilpin area towards Mountain Lagoon to strengthen containment lines. Fire and and smoke may be seen from these operations.
The Bells Line of Road is closed from Bilpin to Scenic Hill.
Other roads in this area remain open, however they may be closed at times for operational and safety reasons. Be aware of fire tanker movements in this area.
If your travel is not essential, please avoid the area.
Advice
If you are in the areas of Lithgow, Marrangaroo and Hartley Vale (Lithgow LGA)
Back backing operations to strengthen containment lines will occur in these areas. You will continue to experience a lot of smoke in these areas as temperatures reduce overnight.
Visibility on roads is likely to be low. Please proceed with caution.
Advice for residents along the Bells Line of Road
West of Bilpin Village
Residents west of the Bilpin Village between Bowens Creek Rd and Mt Wilson Rd including the communities of Mt Tomah and Berambing are advised to relocate immediately. You should travel east along the Bells Line of Road towards Richmond.
Bilpin Village
Residents within the Bilpin Village between Mountain Lagoon Rd and Bowens Creek Rd can choose to remain however, it is expected the village will become isolated. You may not be able to leave for a number of days. Should you choose to stay you need to ensure you and your property are properly prepared. Be aware that electricity supply to the area may be cut off for several days.
East of Bilpin Village
Residents in the area of Bells Line of Road between Mountain Lagoon Road and Pittman Road are advised that if you and your property are not prepared for the onset of fire you should relocate now. Travel east towards Richmond.
Mt Wilson and Mt Irvine Communities
Residents in Mt Irvine and Mt Wilson are advised to remain in place. There is fire burning along access roads and it is not safe to leave. There is a high likelihood you will be isolated for a number of days.
Evacuation Centre
People are advised to seek accommodation with family and friends as this will be the most comfortable option. Bring any medication and clothing that you may require, as you may not be able to return to the area for a number of days.
People requiring assistance with accommodation are to attend the Evacuation Centre at the North Richmond Community Hall where arrangements will be made.
North Richmond Community Hall, 33 William Street, North Richmond.
Damage Assessment – Building Impact Analysis
House (Habitable Dwelling) – 1 damaged, 3 destroyed
Outbuilding (Shed, Business etc) – 1 damaged, 7 destroyed
Advice
Seek shelter as the fire impacts to protect yourself from the heat of the fire.
Marrangaroo: People in vicinity of Reserve Road east of the Great Western Highway should be mindful of fire buring to the east, behind the Army Camp. Whilst the fire is burning at a low intensity there is a lot of smoke moving across the area.
Evacuation centres – Open
Richmond Club – East Market Street, Richmond
Lithgow Workers Club – 3 Tank Street, Lithgow
Springwood Sports Centre – 83 Macquarie Road, Springwood
Evacuation centres – Closed
Blackheath Community Centre – Great Western Highway, Blackheath
Road Closures
The Bells Line of Road is closed from Scenic to Bilpin, with access for local residents as far as Clarence. Access to Dargan remains closed.
Residents who relocated from Bilpin to Kurrajong this afternoon may now return to their properties.
The Great Western Highway is open and can be used as an alternative, however, motorists should consider avoiding all non essential travel in this area.
Due to bush fire activity there are numerous road closures and roads may be closed without notice. Road closures continue to be assessed, however, there is no forecast as to when they will reopen. Motorists are urged to avoid all bushfire affected areas.
For the latest traffic information, visit www.livetraffic.com or call 132 701.
Public Transport Closures
For the latest public transport information visit 131500.com.au or call 131 500.
Watch and Act – Mount York Road, Mount Victoria Fire (Blue Mountains) 20/10/13 19:49
Posted: 20/10/2013
This bush fire has burnt over 1,200ha near Mount York Road at Mount Victoria in the upper Blue Mountains. It is currently being controlled by firefighters. Firefighters will continue to consolidate containment lines over night ahead of deteriorating conditions predicted over the next few days.
Current Situtation
The Mount York Road, Mount Victoria Fire has crossed over the Darling Causeway into the Grose Valley to the east and has crossed west of the Mount York Road.
There is a potential threat today to the communities of:
- Mount Victoria
- Kanimbla Valley
- Megalong Valley
- Lawson Long Alley
- Mount Boyce
- Blackheath
The threat to the Great Western Highway has been reduced due to successful backburning of Burghoffers Pass.
Should conditions worsen, this fire may cross Burghoffers Pass and force the closure of Great Western Highway to the west of Mount Victoria.
There is also the potential for the fire is spreading into Grose Valley and towards properties to the north of Great Western Highway at Mount Victoria.
There is significant smoke throughout the area from Katoomba to Glenbrook and beyond.
Damage Assessment – Building Impact Analysis
House (Habitable Dwelling) – 1 damaged, 7 destroyed
Outbuilding (Shed, Business etc) – 0 damaged, 0 destroyed
Advice
At this stage, the Great Western Highway will remain open unless affected by fire activity.
Conditions may be changing.
Continue to monitor the situation and follow your Bush Fire Survival Plan.
Evacuation Centres
Evacuation Centres have been established at:
- Lithgow Workers Club is OPEN.
- Springwood Sports Club is OPEN.
Road Closures
Darling Causeway is closed.
Due to bush fire activity there are numerous road closures. Please also be aware that road closures may occur without notice. These closures will continue to be assessed across the day, however, there is no forecast as to when these roads will reopen. Motorists are urged to avoid all bushfire affected areas.
For the latest traffic information, visit www.livetraffic.com or call 132 701.
Public Transport Closures
For the latest public transport information visit 131500.com.au or call 131 500.
Other Information
- If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
- If you are concerned about the welfare of family and friends, please contact the Police Information Centre on 1800 227 228.
- Continue to stay up to date with the bush fire situation by checking www.rfs.nsw.gov.au, listening to your local radio station or by calling the NSW RFS Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737.
- If you live in the area but are away from home, it may not be safe to return to your property.
- For health information about the impact of smoke on your health visit NSW Health.
- Disaster Welfare Assistance Line (1800 018 444) provides information about disaster relief grants for content and structural repairs, available to low income earners with no insurance.
The next update will be 2:30pm Sunday 20 October or if the situation changes.
From the ABC Website:
NSW RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says more than 37,000 hectares have been burnt since Thursday and there is an active fire edge more than 300 kilometres long.
Commissioner Fitzsimmons says to draw a parallel with past fires you would have to go as far back as the 60s – specifically a major fire in 1968.
He says new information from the Bureau of Meteorology this morning has firmed up concerns about the next few days, mainly due to a lack of expected moisture.
“We are likely to see deteriorating conditions starting this afternoon … but more so as we move into Monday and Tuesday with the worst of that weather probably culminating in Wednesday but not much relief in the intervening period,” he said.
