Bushfires and climate chaos in Australia

Extreme weather fans NSW bushfires

An emergency warning has been issued for a new bushfire burning near Newcastle as extreme weather conditions begin to impact on New South Wales

Radio NZ,

23 October, 2013

In the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, small fires are flaring and growing numbers of people are leaving the fire zone and registering at evacuation centres in what is feared to be the most serious day of the Australian state's bushfire crisis.

Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons warned that conditions would be "as bad as it gets". Temperatures were forecast to reach the high 30s, humidity was expected to be at 10% and wind gusts of up to 100km/h are predicted.

Fire crews protect a property in the Blue Mountains.

AAP

Shane Fitzsimmons said the new fire started at Stockrington Road fire at Minmi and was being blown west by gusty winds and was likely to extend across to the M1 motorway. Emergency alerts have been sent to people in the area to leave immediately, the ABC reports.

The warning was issued not long after the Rural Fire Service said they were on top of the situation in the Blue Mountains and Southern Highlands.

However, Mr Fitzsimmons warned against complacency. "We are seeing the winds strengthen and we are getting recorded measurements of up around 80km/h across a number of these fire grounds."

Authorities warned Blue Mountains residents to leave on Wednesday morning if they were not prepared to defend their homes, ahead of the hot, dry and windy conditions All schools in the area have been closed to keep families together in the case of evacuations and people have been told not to enter the area unless it's essential, AAP reports.

People living in the Blue Mountains and Southern Highlands woke up to a cool and damp morning after overnight storms. However, Mr Fitzsimmons says the little bit of rain didn't do much to ease the fire threat.

Of most concern are fires still burning near Lithgow, Mount Victoria, Springwood and in the Southern Highlands.

Mr Fitzsimmons said it is a difficult, dynamic situation and more homes and lives may be lost. "We are expecting extreme fire danger ratings across a very large geographic area."

Crews worked through the night backburning to get a handle on several large blazes. Hundreds of firefighting reinforcements have been sent to New South Wales from other states and more than 1000 firefighters and 200 fire engines will be operating in the Blue Mountains. Helicopters are also in heavy demand, although if the wind gets too fierce they will be grounded.

State and federal aid

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell said Lithgow Workers Club and Penrith Worker's Club were open for people who have nowhere else to go and state government assistance was available there.

Mr O'Farrell said the state would get through the day because of the "extraordinary efforts" of fire authorities in planning and firefighting.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has announced further assistance for those affected.

Justice Minister Michael Keenan says a disaster recovery allowance is now available for residents whose income has been directly hit by the disaster. More than 300 homes have been lost since 17 October.

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