Environment NSW Bushfires

[skilts]

I recall in 2009, when Victoria had its hideous bushfires, there was a most useful thread dedicated to updating BF posters on the current situation with those fires. I've done a desultory search and can find nothing on these boards about the current emergency in NSW. Mods, if I'm wrong about this, please merge this thread.

If I am right, and there is nothing on these boards about this, I find it somewhat disappointing, and possibly indicative of these boards being Victoria-centric.

What I really wanted to say is that our thoughts are with our NSW brothers and sisters, as are our volunteer firefighters. Bushfires in this country are nearly always a national issue, and this is no exception. I was recently talking to a bloke whose son has come to play cricket for our local team, from Newcastle, in England. He is the captain of that city's fire service. He couldn't understand why the firefighters didn't more aggressively attack the fire. One of the blokes from our club, born and bred in country Victoria, explained that the best we can hope for is containment. Regardless of what we may think, in the face of such a monstrosity, humans either accept their limited effectiveness, or die.

 

[Crows_United_FC]

Waking up everyday and hoping the situation has improved only to realize that it's worsened. A lot of SA firefighters tonight made the trip to NSW to help fight the fires. This is a time we must unite as a country and our thoughts to be with those in the middle of these bushfires.

 

[NSWCROW]

Todays forecast doesn't bode well either sadly.
34 in the west with strong west-north westerlies , the same conditions we had last thursday.
This might be " the big one " i fear.

 

[DREAM TEAM BUFF]

I might be part of a strike team

 

[skilts]

I might be part of a strike team

Keep yourself safe, if so.

 

[little graham]

This country is meant to burn skilts. Just like the arctic is meant to freeze. If it doesn't it only snowballs the threat to the humans and the buildings they choose to build in country we know is meant to burn.

 

[pantskyle]

Pretty hectic stuff. The skies are dark with smoke and you can smell the fire.

I heard on the radio this morning that there's a warning about breathing the air where I am.

 

[little graham]

Helmet cam from a firefighter

 

[Smoooothy]

did i hear that an 11 year old started one of the fires?

 

[little graham]

As brave firies fight the worst bushfires to hit NSW in 45 years, you might be shocked to learn that the O'Farrell government has cut $70 million from the budget resulting in multiple fire station closures -- putting lives at risk, just at the moment we most need protection.
"Budget cuts ... over the last 10 months have meant professionally crewed fire stations in the Sutherland Shire have been closed 64 times," says Fire Brigade Employees Union secretary Jim Casey.
Permanently staffed stations had never been closed before the O'Farrell government's election and subsequent $70 million cuts.

https://www.greenleft.org.au/node/55176

 

[bradrowe#32]

did i hear that an 11 year old started one of the fires?

The Newcastle one apparently. He's been placed under house arrest.

 

[DREAM TEAM BUFF]

Watch and Act - State Mine Fire (Lithgow, Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains) 22/10/13 15:49

Posted: 22/10/2013
A bush fire continues to burn near the township of Bell. The fire also continues to burn around the areas of Mt Irvine, McKellars Park, Bilpin, Hartley Vale, Dargan and Clarence.


Current Situation
The alert status for the fire has been adjusted due to easing conditions across the fire ground and the reduced threat to properties. It is expected that worsening weather conditions over the next 24 hours may see fire activity increase and homes may come under threat. This may then result in the alert status being lifted again.
Residents along the Bells Line of Road are reminded to remain vigilant despite the cooler conditions and keep themselves up to date with the current situation.
People in the area near Inberra Road and Mount Irvine Road (also known as Bowens Creek Road) were sent an Emergency Alert telephone warning message yesterday (Monday 22 Oct). Residents in this area are advised to relocate and travel east along the Bells Line of Road towards Richmond.
The community of Bell is advised to leave now if not prepared and travel west along the Bells Line of Road towards Lithgow. The Evacuation Centre at Lithgow Workers Club is open.
A TOTAL FIRE BAN is in force for the Greater Sydney area until further notice.
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. You should travel east along the Bells Line of Road towards Richmond.
• Bilpin Village - Residents between Mountain Lagoon Rd and Bowens Creek Rd can choose to remain however, it is expected to become isolated and you may not be able to leave for a number of days. Should you choose to stay, 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 should relocate if you and your property are not prepared for the onset of fire. Travel east towards Richmond.
• Mt Wilson and Mt Irvine Communities - Residents 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.
• Kurrajong, Bowen Mountain and Yarramundi - Although the fire is not in the immediate area, use today to prepare your home and continue to monitor the situation.

Follow your Bush Fire Survival Plan. If you do not have a Bush Fire Survival Plan, ensure you know what you will do if the fire threatens your property.
Community Meeting

• Katoomba Christian Convention Centre - Cliff Drive, Katoomba at 6:30pm. Parking available at the Scenic Railway
• Blaxland Ridge Rural Fire Brigade - next to the Community Centre on Blaxland Ridge at 6:30pm
• Bowen Mountain Park - Bunya Crescent, Bowen Mountain at 6:30pm
• Kurrajong Heights Rural Fire Brigade Station - Stanley Avenue, Kurrajong Heights at 6:30pm

Residents of Katoomba and Leura are encouarged to attend.
School Closures
All public, catholic and independent schools, including child care centres and pre-schools, in the Blue Mountains Local Government Area (LGA) will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday 23 October). Identified schools in the Hawkesbury LGA will also be closed. Details available here.
Evacuation Centres
Seek accommodation with family and friends as this will be the most comfortable option. If required the Evacuation Centre at North Richmond can assist with accommodation.
Bring any medication and clothing you may require, as you may not be able to return to the area for a number of days.

• North Richmond Community Hall - 33 William Street, North Richmond
• Lithgow Workers Club - 3 Tank Street, Lithgow
• Springwood Sports Centre - 83 Macquarie Road, Springwood

Damage Assessment – Building Impact Analysis

• House (Habitable Dwelling) – 1 damaged, 3 destroyed
• Outbuilding (Shed, Business etc) – 1 damaged, 7 destroyed

Road Closures
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 bush fire 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.
• 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.
• If you are concerned about the welfare of family and friends, please contact the Police Information Centre on 1800 227 228.
• 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.
• Disaster Recovery Assistance Hotline (180 22 66) provides information about the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP), available to people adversely affected by natural disasters. For more information go to www.disasterassist.gov.au.

The next update on this fire will be issued by 5:3Blasl0pm Tuesday 22 October or if the situation changes.

 

[DREAM TEAM BUFF]

Watch and Act - Linksview Road Fire, Springwood (Blue Mountains) 22/10/13 15:31

Posted: 22/10/2013
A bush fire is burning in the Springwood area. More than 3,000 hectares have been burnt.


Current Situation
While the immediate threat to properties around Chapman Parade has eased, people in this area should continue to monitor conditions.
Firefighters will continue to backburn to consolidate containment lines as conditions allow.
A TOTAL FIRE BAN is in place for the Greater Sydney Region until further notice.
Advice
Follow your Bush Fire Survival Plan. If you do not have a Bush Fire Survival Plan, know what you will do if the fire threatens your property.
Evacuation Centres

• Springwood Sports Club, 83 Macquarie Road, Springwood
• Lithgow Workers Club, 3-7 Tank Street, Lithgow.

School Closures
All public, catholic and independent schools, including child care centres and pre-schools, in the Blue Mountains Local Government Area (LGA) will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday 23 October). Identified schools in the Hawkesbury LGA will also be closed. Details available here.

• St Columba's College, Springwood - Tue 22 to Fri 25 October
• St Thomas Aquinas School, Springwood - Tue 22 to Fri 25 October

Contact your local school for more information.
Community Meetings

• Warrimoo Citizens Hall, Great Western Highway, Warrimoo at 7.30pm. Residents of Warrimoo and Sun Valley are encouraged to attend
• Blaxland High School, 3-9 Coughlan Rd, Blaxland at 7.30pm. Residents of Blaxland, Mount Riverview and Glenbrook are encouraged to attend.

Damage Assessment – Building Impact Analysis

• House (Habitable Dwelling) – 109 damaged, 193 destroyed
• Outbuilding (Shed, Business etc) – 0 damaged, 0 destroyed

Road Closures
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
• 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
• Disaster Recovery Assistance Hotline (180 22 66) provides information about the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP), available to people adversely affected by natural disasters. For more information go to www.disasterassist.gov.au.

The next update on this fire will be issued by 5:00pm Tuesday 22 October or if the situation changes.

 

[DREAM TEAM BUFF]

Watch and Act - Hall Road Fire (Southern Highlands / Wollondilly) 22/10/13 14:48

Posted: 22/10/2013
Fire continues to burn in the Southern Highlands near the villages of Yerrinbool, Balmoral, Yanderra, Pheasants Nest, Wilton, Bargo, Buxton, Hill Top, Alpine / Aylmerton and Couridjah in the Southern Highlands.


Current Situation
More than 200 firefighters with aerial support continue to consolidate containment lines and prepare communities to minimise the impact of fire.
Picton Road is open (2pm).
A TOTAL FIRE BAN is in force for the Illawarra / Shoalhaven area until further notice.
Advice
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. Specially designed, constructed or modified homes, prepared to the highest level, may provide safety.
Advice (Illawarra residents)
While there is no threat to properties in the Illawarra at this time, residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and monitor the situation throughout the day.
Check and follow your Bush Fire Survival Plan and prepare yourself for the potential of a bush fire in your area.
School Closures

Identified schools in the Southern Highlands will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday 23 October). Details available here.

• Hill Top Public School - Wed 23 October
• Hill Top Preschool - Wed 23 October
• Wilton Public School - Wed 23 October
• Yanderra Public School - closed until further notice

Contact your local school for more information.
Damage Assessment – Building Impact Analysis

• House (Habitable Dwelling) – 2 damaged, 2 destroyed
• Outbuilding (Shed, Business etc) – 0 damaged, 10 destroyed

Road Closures
Due to bush fire activity there are numerous road closures. Road closures may occur without notice. Closures will continue to be assessed across the day, however, there is no forecast as to when 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 live in the area but are away from home, it may not be safe to return to your property.
• Residents and people in the area should 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 are concerned about the welfare of family and friends, please contact the Police Information Centre on 1800 227 228.
• 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.
• Disaster Recovery Assistance Hotline (180 22 66) provides information about the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP), available to people adversely affected by natural disasters. For more information go to www.disasterassist.gov.au.

The next update will be issued by 4pm Tuesday 22 October or if the situation changes.

 

[DREAM TEAM BUFF]

Watch and Act - Mount York Road, Mount Victoria Fire (Blue Mountains) 22/10/13 15:53

Posted: 22/10/2013
Backburning operations were conducted around the Blackheath area overnight in an effort to contain the fire and protect properties in the Blackheath and Mount Victoria area.


Current Situation
As a result of backburning operations, people in the Blackheath area may see an increase in fire and smoke. Firefighters will be working in the area.
The threat to the Great Western Highway has been reduced due to successful backburning of Berghofers Pass. Should conditions worsen, this fire may cross Berghofers Pass and force the closure of Great Western Highway to the west of Mount Victoria.
Other areas that may come under threat are Kanimbla Valley, Megalong Valley, Hartley Vale (Lawsons Long Alley) and Blackheath.
The fire could spread through Grose Valley and potentially threaten properties to the north of Great Western Highway at Mount Victoria.
A TOTAL FIRE BAN is in place for the Greater Sydney Region until further notice.
Advice
Residents in the Blue Mountains area are urged to remain vigilant and prepared with hot, dry and windy conditions forecast, people right across these fire affected areas that live in or near bushland should take the forecast conditions seriously, be on alert and complete a Bush Fire Survival Plan or review their current plan.
At this stage, the Great Western Highway will remain open unless affected by fire activity.
Well prepared homes can offer safety during the fire. Conditions may be changing. Continue to monitor the situation.
Put your Bush Fire Survival Plan into action. If you do not have a Bush Fire Survival Plan,know what you will do if the fire threatens your property.
Community Meeting

• Katoomba Christian Convention Centre - Cliff Drive, Katoomba at 6:30pm. Parking available at the Scenic Railway
• Blaxland Ridge Rural Fire Brigade - next to the Community Centre on Blaxland Ridge at 6:30pm
• Bowen Mountain Park - Bunya Crescent, Bowen Mountain at 6:30pm
• Kurrajong Heights Rural Fire Brigade Station - Stanley Avenue, Kurrajong Heights at 6:30pm

School Closures
All public, catholic and independent schools, including child care centres and pre-schools, in the Blue Mountains Local Government Area (LGA) will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday 23 October). Identified schools in the Hawkesbury LGA will also be closed. Details available here.

• Korowal School - Tue 22 and Wed 23 October
• MET School, Mount Victoria - Tue 22 and Wed 23 October
• Blacktown Youth College, Lawson - Tue 22 and Wed 23 October

Evacuation Centres

• Lithgow Workers Club - 3-7 Tank Street, Lithgow
• Springwood Sports Club - 83 Macquarie Road, Springwood

Damage Assessment – Building Impact Analysis

• House (Habitable Dwelling) – 1 damaged, 7 destroyed
• Outbuilding (Shed, Business etc) – 0 damaged, 0 destroyed

Road Closures
Due to bush fire activity there are numerous road closures. Road closures may occur without notice. Closures will continue to be assessed across the day, however, there is no forecast as to when roads will reopen. Motorists are urged to avoid all bush fire 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 5:00pm Tuesday 22 October or if the situation changes.

 

[DREAM TEAM BUFF]

School Closure Information - 23 October 22/10/13 15:27

Posted: 22/10/2013
Due to the large amount of fire activity and predicted deteriorating conditions, there will be a number of school closures on Wednesday 23 October 2013.


The following schools will be closed:
All public, Catholic and Independent schools, as well as child care centres and pre-schools, in the Blue Mountains local government area:

• Blackheath Public School
• Blaxland East Public School
• Blaxland High School
• Blaxland Public School
• Ellison Public School
• Faulconbridge Public School
• Glenbrook Public School
• Hazelbrook Public School
• Katoomba High School
• Katoomba North Public School
• Katoomba Public School
• Lapstone Public School
• Lawson Public School
• Leura Public School
• Megalong Public School
• Mount Riverview Public School
• Mount Victoria Public School
• Springwood High School
• Springwood Public School
• Warrimoo Public School
• Wentworth Falls Public School
• Winmalee High School
• Winmalee Public School

The following schools in the Hawkesbury and Southern Highlands areas:

• Bargo Public School
• Bilpin Public School
• Buxton Public School
• Comleroy Road Public School
• Hill Top Public School
• Grose View Public School
• Kurrajong North Public School
• East Kurrajong Public School
• Wilton Public School
• Yanderra Public School

 

[skilts]

Good man Dream Team.

 

[skilts]

This country is meant to burn skilts. Just like the arctic is meant to freeze. If it doesn't it only snowballs the threat to the humans and the buildings they choose to build in country we know is meant to burn.

None of which eases the immediate difficulty of dealing with same.

 

[little graham]

None of which eases the immediate difficulty of dealing with same.

Yes.

But does deal with the sensationalistic spreading of fear and the continued white felluh view he is above and a victim of nature..

 

[Happy Mastenator]

Every time I've passed through the Blue mountains its been obvious that when it went it would be a disaster. Houses are built into the trees, no clear spaces.

Feel sorry for those who've been hit but changes need to be made as well going forward.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

 

[DREAM TEAM BUFF]

New Zealand Fire Service are joining

 

[Crows_United_FC]

New Zealand Fire Service are joining

Great to hear. the more the better.

 

[Crows_United_FC]

did i hear that an 11 year old started one of the fires?

Yep. 11 and 15 year old. DISGUSTING!!

 

[Freofalcon]

Should put those little SOB's on the front line.

WTF goes through some peoples heads.

 

[Crows_United_FC]

Should put those little SOB's on the front line.

WTF goes through some peoples heads.

I'd say throw them in the fire and leave them. I don't regret that statement. Hundred of homes have been destroyed and people have died due to their act of evil. Stupid ****ing little bastards!