Bushfires Rage in NSW

Scary smoke filled sky over the Inner West

Today has been a terrible day for many of the people affected by bush fires raging in NSW Ausatralia. These are the worst fires in the state in the last decade. Hot temperatures and very strong winds, with wind gusts up to 95kph,  have helped spread more than 100 bush fires in various parts of the state. At 5.30pm today 40 of fires these were uncontained.

Smoke has drifted across much of the state, even reaching Sydney, the capital city of NSW.

Unfortunately many homes have been burnt to the ground, especially in the Blue Mountains area of Springwood and Winmalee.

In my local area a 2000-hectare bushfire at Muswellbrook is out of control and threatening rural homes. In the lower hunter a large fire at Williamtown has closed the Newcastle airport due to thick smoke.

Bushfire Map of NSW today

Emergency service personnel have done a marvelous job of evacuating people from affected areas. Emergency procedures have been put into effect to evacuate students from schools in the bush fire areas. Firefighters and volunteers have been doing a wonderful job of fighting the fires to try and put them out.

Fire front in the Lithgow area

Evacuation centres have been set up in certain schools and halls to assist the people who have had to flee their homes,and for those whose homes have been burnt to the ground. Many volunteers have doing a wonderful job helping those in need, donating their time and providing meals, clothing and shelter for those who have lost everything. One of our local schools is in Scone organising a collection of bottled water and food tomorrow morning in front of the school so that they can be to be taken to the fire affected areas.

A cool change tonight and a drop in wind speeds has helped the fire situation, but unfortunately many fores are still raging and will take days and weeks to finally put out.
 

Firefighters in action

BUSHFIRE RESOURCES - Where to find information

Please use this as a resource for websites and contacts where you can find information about the current bushfire emergencies.

FIRE ACTIVITY AND BUSHFIRE LOCATIONS

Major Fire Updates - NSW RFS - http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/dsp_content.cfm?cat_id=684
Current Incidents Map - NSW RFS - http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/dsp_content.cfm?cat_id=683
NSW RFS Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/nswrfs
Fires Near Me - Mobile Website - https://www.firesnearme.com
Fires Near Me - iPhone/iPad App
Fires Near Me - Android App
NSW Police Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/nswpolice

Newcastle Airport 5pm today

INFORMATION ON EVACUATIONS

NSW RFS Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/nswrfs
Major Fire Updates - NSW RFS - http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/dsp_content.cfm?cat_id=684
NSW Police Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/nswpolice

North Bondi Beach, Sydney  weathercam photo 3.20pm today

INFORMATION ON ROAD CLOSURES

NSW RFS Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/nswrfs
NSW Police Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/nswpolice
Live Traffic NSW (by RMS/RTA) - http://livetraffic.rta.nsw.gov.au

View of the Blue Mountains from Glenmore Park (Sydney)

INFORMATION ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT DISRUPTIONS

131 500 - Transport for NSW
Sydney Trains (CityRail)
NSW TrainLink (CountryLink)

NSW Rural Fire Serrvice headquaters in action today

PHONE INFORMATION HOTLINES

NSW Bushfire Information Line - 1800 679 737
NSW Public Information and Inquiry Centre - 1800 227 228
If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

Burnt home today

OTHER RESOURCES

Tune into your local radio station
Always follow the direction of firefighters, police and other emergency services on the ground

Looking north from Penrith (Sydney)