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New South Wales on high alert as bushfire threat eases in Victoria and South Australia South Australian homes lost in bushfire as New South Wales on high alert
(about 2 hours later)
The bushfire threat in Victoria and South Australia has eased, but the extreme heat that fuelled it has moved on to New South Wales. A number of homes and other buildings have been lost in a dangerous bushfire that raged through South Australia’s south-east, with New South Wales on high alert and the threat in Victoria easing.
The Country Fire Service said the Sherwood fire destroyed 12,100 hectares of scrub and farmland before it was contained early on Sunday morning.
“A number of homes and structures have been lost in the blaze, which started just after 1pm yesterday,” the CFS said.
However, duty commander Nick Stanley said damage assessment teams were on the fire ground and were yet to determine the extent of asset and stock losses. Police were also investigating the cause of the blaze and there were no reports of any serious injuries.
“Yesterday’s Sherwood fire was a reminder of how quickly fire under severe to catastrophic weather conditions can get out of control,” Stanley said. “Due to the severe weather conditions, firefighters on the ground had to work defensively to protect assets until the fire conditions were safe enough for them to begin offensive operations.”
At the height of the emergency on Saturday, a CFS crew survived a frightening burnover in their truck as the fire raged. The crew was among more than 70 firefighters who battled the blaze, which also posed a threat to communities at Brimbago, Lowan Vale, McCallum and Senior near the South Australian-Victorian border.
At one stage farmer Robyn Verrall reported a “wall of flames” as the fire burned out of control. Images she posted on Twitter showed trees and grass on fire while a video showed thick smoke blanketing paddocks, significantly reducing visibility.
A total fire ban is in place across Sydney and the Hunter region as NSW residents face temperatures soaring into the mid-40s. Much of the rest of the state has a “very high” rating.A total fire ban is in place across Sydney and the Hunter region as NSW residents face temperatures soaring into the mid-40s. Much of the rest of the state has a “very high” rating.
Fire crews spent the night blacking out a fire that severely damaged a Melbourne family’s home. The fire was one of many sparked across the state as Victoria suffered through an extremely hot Saturday.Fire crews spent the night blacking out a fire that severely damaged a Melbourne family’s home. The fire was one of many sparked across the state as Victoria suffered through an extremely hot Saturday.
On Sunday morning a teenage girl was charged with starting the Melbourne fire. The 15-year-old was bailed to appear before a children’s court at a later date, Victoria police said in a statement on Sunday.On Sunday morning a teenage girl was charged with starting the Melbourne fire. The 15-year-old was bailed to appear before a children’s court at a later date, Victoria police said in a statement on Sunday.
The fire at Carrum Downs started just after 3pm on Saturday and moved fast, putting the entire street of Darnley Drive at risk, Country Fire Authority assistant chief officer Trevor Owen told reporters.The fire at Carrum Downs started just after 3pm on Saturday and moved fast, putting the entire street of Darnley Drive at risk, Country Fire Authority assistant chief officer Trevor Owen told reporters.
“It travelled very, very quickly and we had a few kilometres of a front within a matter of an hour that we had to be able to control,” he said. “There were a lot of embers being thrown up which caused a lot of other fires that were progressing in front of the fire front.”“It travelled very, very quickly and we had a few kilometres of a front within a matter of an hour that we had to be able to control,” he said. “There were a lot of embers being thrown up which caused a lot of other fires that were progressing in front of the fire front.”
It was declared under control before 9pm. The damaged house escaped total destruction but the family would not be able to stay there, Owen said. The fire also damaged sheds, fences and a motorhome.It was declared under control before 9pm. The damaged house escaped total destruction but the family would not be able to stay there, Owen said. The fire also damaged sheds, fences and a motorhome.
The bushfire emergency in South Australia’s southeast has also reduced as moderating weather conditions help fire crews get the upper hand. In NSW, residents have been urged to take care in the heat. Temperatures are forecast to hit 40C in Sydney’s CBD. In the western suburbs, the mercury will climb to 45C.
The Country Fire Service said the progress of the Sherwood fire had slowed. “Firefighters are still working to contain the fire, however, fire intensity and rate of spread has moderated,” the CFS said.
It said farm buildings and other assets could still be at risk and anyone who had left the area should not yet return.
Earlier a fire crew in South Australia’s southeast survived a frightening burnover in their truck the fire raged, destroying two farm buildings and threatening homes near the Victoria-South Australia border.
By late on Saturday the blaze had destroyed more than 8,000 hectares of scrub and farmland.
Soaring temperatures had produced catastrophic fire conditions in the Mount Lofty Ranges and upper and lower southeast. Most of the state is forecast to have much cooler weather on Sunday.
However, NSW residents have been urged to take care in the heat. Temperatures are forecast to hit 40C in Sydney’s CBD. In the western suburbs, the mercury will soar to 45C.
“Hot and windy conditions are forecast over the Sydney area,” the Bureau of Meteorology said in its fire weather warning. “A front will bring cooler conditions to coastal areas during the afternoon and through the west in the evening.”“Hot and windy conditions are forecast over the Sydney area,” the Bureau of Meteorology said in its fire weather warning. “A front will bring cooler conditions to coastal areas during the afternoon and through the west in the evening.”
The NSW Rural Fire Service is warning residents to prepare their bushfire plans. If people are considering leaving their homes they should “leave early”, the RFS said.The NSW Rural Fire Service is warning residents to prepare their bushfire plans. If people are considering leaving their homes they should “leave early”, the RFS said.
NSW police deputy commissioner Catherine Burn said the state’s heatwave plan had been activated to coordinate emergency services. The NSW police deputy commissioner, Catherine Burn, said the state’s heatwave plan had been activated to coordinate emergency services.
“We’re going to experience severe to extreme heat conditions throughout NSW,” she said, reminding people it was an offence to leave children or pets in vehicles. “Cars become a furnace very, very quickly in this type of heat.”“We’re going to experience severe to extreme heat conditions throughout NSW,” she said, reminding people it was an offence to leave children or pets in vehicles. “Cars become a furnace very, very quickly in this type of heat.”
Sydney Water is encouraging residents to keep well hydrated, and remember to provide water for pets.
Surf Life Saving NSW has implored those heading to the beach to take care, given there have been 10 drownings since the beginning of December.Surf Life Saving NSW has implored those heading to the beach to take care, given there have been 10 drownings since the beginning of December.
A 48-year-old is fighting for his life after he was found face down in the water at Sandon Point beach on Saturday.A 48-year-old is fighting for his life after he was found face down in the water at Sandon Point beach on Saturday.
In a separate incident, a 35-year-old man was taken to hospital in a stable condition after being pulled semi-conscious from the Hawkesbury river at Lower Portland.In a separate incident, a 35-year-old man was taken to hospital in a stable condition after being pulled semi-conscious from the Hawkesbury river at Lower Portland.