#NSWbushfires: #renewed #fire #threats in #mountains, #hunter #regions #Residents are #warned to #take #shelter from two new bushfires in the Hunter, and #BlueMountains fires #flare up as #gusty #winds strengthen, #temperatures #increase and #humidity #drops #NewSouthWales (NSW) #RuralFireService crews #protect a property on Bulgamatta Road in the township of #Berambing in the Blue Mountains, west of #Sydney, #Australia, 22 October 2013. Photograph: Dan Himbrechts/EPA theguardian/world/2013/oct/23/nsw-bushfires-schools-shut-horror-day?guni=Network%20front:network-front%20main-3%20Main%20trailblock:Network%20front%20-%20main%20trailblock:Position16 7.25am AEST Schools, day care centres and TAFEs right across the Blue Mountains, as well as some in the Southern Highlands and Hawkesbury regions are shut today as firefighters prepare for extreme weather conditions today, with temperatures in the mid-30s, strong winds and low humidity. The small amount of rain slowed down some of the fire, said RFS NSW commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons, but it also forced firefighters to stop work during the night while it passed. Fitzsimmons said he doesnt want people to wake up and see a bit of drizzle and think the situation is OK. “It’s far from OK, he said. 59 fires NSW, 19 uncontained. Extreme fire danger rating- Sydney(+Blue Mtns, CentralCoast&Hunter. Conditions expected deteriorate #nswfires — NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) October 22, 2013 Mike Gallacher, NSW police minister has told residents to not complicate matters further for firefighters with unpredictable behaviour. We have had a week now for people to plan. There should not be discussions around breakfast tables. Now is the time to listen to the warnings that have been given through the course of this week. If you don’t have a plan, quite simply let me give you one. Pack the car now, come down the mountain. Updated at 12.07pm AEST 7.44am AEST Its a team effort: 750+ firefighters NSW agencies & interstate; 87 aircraft. Drawing of Elvis, 6yr old Rachel-Mt.Vic t.co/zhF2xLbEAO — NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) October 22, 2013 7.53am AEST An update on the four major bushfires, all of which are on watch and act advisories. Southern Highlands — Wollondilly The fire is still burning near the villages of Yerrinbool, Balmoral, Yanderra, Pheasants Nest, Wilton, Bargo, Buxton, Hill Top, Alpine/Aylmerton and Couridjah. Firefighters spent the night strengthening containment lines and preparing communities. Blue Mountains — Springwood The fire is still burning near Springwood, although the immediate threat to properties around Chapman Parade has eased for now but should be monitored if you live nearby. Blue Mountains — Mount Victoria Firefighters spent the night backburning near Blackheath. The areas of Kanimbla Valley, Megalong Valley, Hartley Vale (Lawsons Long Alley) and Blackheath may come under threat and the RFS says that the fire could spread through Grose Valley and potentially threaten properties to the north of Great Western Highway at Mount Victoria. Blue Mountains — State Mine, Lithgow The fire continues to burn near Bell and around the areas of Mt Irvine, McKellars Park, Bilpin, Hartley Vale, Dargan and Clarence. Residents of Mt Wilson and Mt Irvine are advised to remain in place due to a fire burning along access roads. Updated at 12.05pm AEST 8.02am AEST Google has launched an Australia-wide disaster map. You can see it below, or access it through this link. Updated at 8.03am AEST 8.11am AEST That shadow in the distance was the very new, extremely exciting Skycrane. #nswfires #2001Fires pic.twitter/E4wGduRCzP — Sam Buckingham-Jones (@SamEBJones) October 22, 2013 8.19am AEST Senator and Blue Mtns local Doug Cameron says hes going to leave today. #nswfires @BreakfastNews — Kerrin Binnie (@kerrinbinnie) October 22, 2013 8.21am AEST Fire danger ratings Greater Hunter: Extreme Greater Sydney Region: Extreme Illawarra/Shoalhaven: Very High Southern Ranges: High Central Ranges: Very High North Western: Very High North Coast: Severe Far North Coast: Very High New England: Very High Northern Slopes: Very High Updated at 8.31am AEST 8.45am AEST NSW police minister Mike Gallacher has just spoken to ABC and reiterated his advice to people in the Blue Mountains that if you dont have a plan you should leave now and head to metropolitan areas. Take yourself out of harms way and take yourself out of the line of firefighters, said Gallacher, who added that while many Blue Mountains residents have lived with the threat of fire for many years, it’s so important for people to understand that the professionals ... see this as unprecedented. He said the conditions today arent going to be dissimilar to last Thursday when the Lithgow bushfire travelled 25km in a single day. Currently there are no mandatory evacuations in place, but under the state of emergency enacted on Sunday the powers are there should authorities need to use them. Updated at 12.04pm AEST 8.56am AEST A spokesperson from the Defence department has told me that their investigation into any link between Defence activity and the cause of the State Mine fire is ongoing. Defence was conducting explosive ordnance training near the same area where the State Mine fire broke out last Wednesday. Residents reported hearing the explosions. Defences response is below: Defence is focussed on supporting the efforts of NSW authorities engaged in fighting the current bush fires in the Blue Mountains. As Defence has previously stated, on the day the State Mine Fire started (16 October), Defence personnel were conducting an explosive ordnance training activity at the Marangaroo Training Area. Defence is investigating if the two events are linked. It would be inappropriate to make any further comment at this time. The State Mine fire continues to burn near Lithgow. 9.08am AEST NSW police commissioner Andrew Scipione has just spoken to Sydneys Triple M radio. Officers from the Police public order and riot squad are patrolling areas in the Blue Mountains in response to looting. Looting is “a serious issue but it’s not happening widespread across the mountains, said Scipione, who warned offenders that they could face up to 14 years jail time for breaking into a home and stealing belongings. “It’s lower than a snakes belly, the act that they’re engaged in, he said. Updated at 11.56am AEST 9.17am AEST The number of interstate firefighters active on these fires is nearing 1000, commissioner Fitzsimmons has said. Updated at 9.20am AEST 9.22am AEST While 2001/2002 was one of the most protracted bushfire seasons with around 151 consecutive days of bushfire emergency situations, Fitzsimmons has said that this is unparalleled in terms of fire activity and destruction so early in the season. 9.31am AEST Rachel Sargent goes for her regular run along Single Ridge Road through burnt bushland near the town of Winmalee in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Tuesday, 22 October. Rachel Sargent goes for her regular run along Single Ridge Road through burnt bushland near the town of Winmalee in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Tuesday, 22 October. Photograph: LUKAS COCH/AAPIMAGE 9.35am AEST Prime minister Tony Abbott has told 3AW radio that UN climate chief Christiana Fuigeres is talking through her hat and there is no link between the bushfires and climate change. Fire is part of the Australian experience, Abbott says. Climate change another issue. — Katharine Murphy (@murpharoo) October 22, 2013 When questioned on his fire fighting duties Abbott responded that he is a human first, ahead of his prime ministerial duties. Even as a prime minister, youve got to be a human first. Tony Abbott on his fire fighting. He says hes a citizen as well as a PM. — Katharine Murphy (@murpharoo) October 22, 2013 9.45am AEST Police are advising residents who have decided to leave the Blue Mountains area and need assistance with the care and housing of their domestic pets and livestock to attend the Information and Assistance Centre at Penrith Panthers, 123 Mulgoa Road, Penrith. 9.58am AEST Hawkesbury Showground is filling up with animals, including Oprah the pig, moved out of the fire zone #nswfires pic.twitter/9p8U34dCjS — Rebecca Barrett (@becjbarr) October 22, 2013 10.13am AEST A fascinating look into the work of remote area fire teams (Raft) who walk the black edge, stubbing out embers and smoking debris to prevent a fire reigniting, from the Sydney Morning Herald. The teams of volunteers do 12 hour shifts, hiking through dense terrain with large packs, tidying up the aftermath of fires with chainsaws and tools, since they cant carry too much water. It takes a certain person to do this, RFS operation officer Simon Topp told the Herald. 10.14am AEST Fire crews await for orders at Blackheath #pano pic.twitter/a1zfLoAjfv — Mike Bowers (@mpbowers) October 22, 2013 10.24am AEST A reminder that there is a total fire ban currently in place, including discarding lit cigarettes, which is actually illegal anyway. To the idiot who just threw a lit cigarette out his white Ford sedan in Lithgow, we have your number plate and police will soon #nswfires — Taylor Auerbach (@tauerbach) October 22, 2013 11.11am AEST A grass fire which broke out at the M1 near Cooranbong momentarily closed the motorway but has now been mopped up by firefighters. Passed 81 fire vehicles heading into the Blu Mountains this morning #nswfires — Jennifer Menchin (@MenchinMe) October 22, 2013 11.13am AEST “The fires are starting to stir up a little in terms of smoke and activity but we haven’t seen any breakouts yet,” said Fitzsimmons in his most recent briefing a few moments ago. “At this time of day this is a good thing, probably the best case scenario.” However, the weather hasnt yet peaked and temperatures and winds are set to increase while the humidity falls. We’ve still got many hours to get through today, he said. Updated at 11.52am AEST 11.15am AEST Waterbombing is proving not incredibly effective in some areas, particularly with lighter aircraft affected by strong winds of up to 80kmph. Authorities are weighing up those tactical decisions as the weather comes across fire ground areas. Around 60 fires are burning in NSW, 18 uncontained. Updated at 11.52am AEST 11.18am AEST Premier Barry OFarrell has described actions such as that reported of a man attempting to increase rent on his lower Blue Mountains property since it was a good time to do it because of the fires as acts of bastardry. OFarrell said Fair Trading had the power to name and shame people as well as fine them for price gouging. Updated at 11.51am AEST 11.18am AEST Two teenagers have been arrested and cautioned over the theft of a charity box from a Springwood cafe. From NSW Police: About 10.15am yesterday (Tuesday 22 October 2013) two youths were stopped in a shopping centre at Parramatta by a loss prevention officer regarding an alleged stealing incident at the location. The males, aged 13 and 15, were taken to Parramatta Police Station. At the station, police recognised the pair as fitting descriptions from a television news report, with CCTV, of a charity box being stolen from a cafe in Springwood on Monday. Updated at 11.50am AEST 11.49am AEST The most recent Nasa satellite image taken on Monday afternoon shows the size of the fires in the Blue Mountains, and Hungerford Creek to the north. You can see a larger image here. A Nasa satellite image taken on the afternoon of Monday 22 October shows the smoke from bushfires around NSW. A Nasa satellite image taken on the afternoon of Monday 22 October shows the smoke from bushfires around NSW. Photograph: /Nasa 11.55am AEST “Everywhere you look there’s a fire truck” in the Blue Mountains and Western Sydney, Fitzsimmons said earlier. For every hour that we get through today without any outbreak, without any serious run of fire - that’s a serious indication that there’s a prospect that we’ll keep the fires further away from communities.” 12.00pm AEST Live Q&A with bushfire expert at 12.30 Dr Andrew Sullivan is head of CSIRO’s Bushfire Dynamics and Applications Group. His research covers five key areas: fuel dynamics, fuel availability, fire behaviour, fire impacts and fire management. He will be online from 12.30pm on October 23 to answer your questions about bushfire behaviour and about the current state of emergency in New South Wales. You can ask him your questions about the bushfires over on this page. Ill post some key content on here once it starts. 12.08pm AEST A number of new fires have been detected, according to RFS NSW commissioner Fitzsimmons. You can watch the briefing below. Updated at 12.14pm AEST 12.21pm AEST New fire — emergency warning A fire burning at Stockrington Road near Minmi is now the subject of an emergency warning advisory. From the RFS: The fire is burning in the area of Stockrington Road at Minmi, west of the M1 Motorway and is burning towards Minmi. Crews are also working around homes in Stockrington Road, Dog Hole Road and Seahampton Road. The fire may threaten the M1 motorway, north of the Newcastle Link Road Interchange. Advice If you are in the area of Stockrington Road or Minmi, seek shelter as the fire impacts. Protect yourself from the heat of the fire. Updated at 12.24pm AEST 12.35pm AEST The new fire near Newcastle, currently the subject of an emergency warning, is currently out of control. People near Stockrington Road or Minmi have been advised to seek shelter as the fire impacts. Emergency warning bushfire Minmi Information on the emergency warning for a bushfire near Minmi, west of Newcastle as at around 12.30pm Wednesday. Photograph: /Rural fire service 12.47pm AEST If you are or have been affected by the fires and want to share your story, photographs or videos, you can get in touch with us through twitter ( @guardianaus or @heldavidson ), the Guardian Witness assignment or by email ( helen.davidson@theguardian ). Stay safe, and dont take risks for the sake of a photo. 12.51pm AEST The Q&A with Dr Andrew Sullivan from the CSIRO has begun. You can ask your questions on this page. Here are some of the answers given so far. msbossyboots23 October 2013 2:30am If bushfires are this bad in October, what might that mean as we hit summer. Are the fires likely to continue all the way till December? Andrew Sullivan answers: It is highly possible that if the weather patterns do not moderate that these fires could burn for the next few weeks if not months. Certainly the weather that Sydney has been experiencing of late is very similar to that expected during summer months. Unless there is significant rain to dampen the fuels, the terrain where most of these fires are burning will make controlling them extremely difficult. iheartwyong23 October 2013 2:26am Hi Andrew, what determines the direction in which the fires spread? Is it just the wind or are there other factors we should think about? Andrew Sullivan answers: Yes, it is predominantly the direction of the prevailing wind that determines the direction of fire spread. However, the direction of the prevailing wind can be affected by topographic features such as hills and gullies, etc. Topography will affect the speed of the fire (fires burn faster up hill than down hill) but will only significantly affect fire spread direction in light winds. 1.19pm AEST Parents taking kids out of Minmi PS as wind pushes fire towards school @nbnnews pic.twitter/lS2MhAihen — Nat Wallace (@NatWallaceNBN) October 23, 2013 1.29pm AEST Northbound lanes of the Pacific Motorway (formerly known as the F3) are closed at Newcastle Link Road. Updated at 1.38pm AEST 2.18pm AEST As people in fire prone areas across New South Wales review their survival plans or flee for their lives, the Australian prime minister, Tony Abbott, has said he is convinced there is no link between bushfires and climate change, writes Graham Readfearn on the Guardians Planet Oz blog. Fire is a part of the Australian experience, Mr Abbott told Melbourne radio listeners. It has been since humans were on this continent.... Climate change is real as I have often said and we should take strong action against it but these fires are certainly not a function of climate change. They are a function of life in Australia. To make his point, Mr Abbott rattled off a series of years when Australia had experienced bad bushfires. He also said that Christiana Figueres, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, was talking through her hat when she pointed out earlier this week that there was a link between bushfires and human-caused emissions of greenhouse gases. In making his statement, Mr Abbott has dismissed out of hand the work of scientists going back more than 25 years showing that as temperatures and carbon dioxide emissions go up, so do the risks of bushfires. Christiana Figueres hat is stuffed with evidence. Read the rest of Grahams piece here. Updated at 2.50pm AEST 2.31pm AEST The fire intensity has picked up in the smaller of the Springwood fire in the Blue Mountains where winds are blowing embers towards homes in Springwood and Faulconbridge. 2.33pm AEST A short time ago I spoke to Alex Chesser, district officer with the NSW rural fire service, for an update on the bushfire situation, and the various firefighting strategies being deployed during NSWs worst fire crisis in decades. Listen below, or through this link. 2.35pm AEST State Mine: Bilpin & Berambing are experiencing increased fire activity. Additional units have been sent to assist. #nswfires #NSWRFS — NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) October 23, 2013 2.37pm AEST Second emergency warning in Springwood The Springwood fire has flared up and is now the subject of an emergency warning. Strong and gusty winds are blowing embers towards homes. 2.39pm AEST Just got this text... #nswfires #bluemountains pic.twitter/8fsD58w7KO — Naomi (@OiNaz) October 23, 2013 2.50pm AEST Third fire subject to emergency warning A new fire at Gates Head near Lake Macquarie is the subject of an emergency warning. People in the area of Dudley or Redhead need to seek shelter as the fire impacts, warns the RFS. A fire is burning west of Dudley and has crossed Oakdale Road. The fire is burning in a south-easterly direction towards Dudley and Redhead. - RFS Okie dokie. Redhead Road is closed. pic.twitter/lp1QOshfyC — Bernard T. Bolt Esq (@bernietb) October 23, 2013 Updated at 3.12pm AEST 3.12pm AEST Linksview Road Fire, Springwood. The Air Crane has been sent to the area. #NSWRFS #nswfires — NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) October 23, 2013 3.21pm AEST Police have advised parents and carers of pupils at a Newcastle School that they have been moved from the premises and are currently at a different location due to safety concerns from the bushfires. All pupils are safe and well however parents will have to collect them from their temporary location. Students who attend the Bishop Tyrell Anglican College at 256 Minmi Road, Fletcher have been relocated to Federal Park in Boscawen Street at Wallsend. The students are being cared for by school staff and should be collected from Federal Park. 3.29pm AEST Parts of Sydney have now reached the Extreme fire danger conditions that were predicted for today. #NSWRFS #nswfires — NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) October 23, 2013 3.44pm AEST Roland Clarke lives in Mt Victoria on one of the areas streets hit hardest by the bushfire last week. Clarke told Guardian Australia how he and his neighbours stayed to prepare their homes and fight the fire off, but it came up so quickly that they had to run. His house was one of just a few that did not burn down. Roland Clarke, pictured inside his living room as bushfires rage outside in Mt Victoria last week. Roland Clarke, pictured inside his living room as bushfires rage outside in Mt Victoria last week. Photograph: /Roland Clarke Updated at 3.44pm AEST 3.46pm AEST The air crane has been sent to the Springwood fire, where flare ups have pushed the fire up to an emergency warning level. Burning embers are being blown towards homes by strong gusty winds. 3.49pm AEST Phil Holding, an RFS group captain for the Southwest Slopes zone, spoke to my colleague Oliver Milman this afternoon. Holding said that fires could continue to burn in parts of the Blue Mountains until the winter. I suspect they will keep burning for months, he told Guardian Australia. They will thicken up the containment lines but further in rough country, given the terrain, I wouldnt be surprised if fires keep blowing up until winter. Unless we have a very wet summer, people will get very tired of it. 4.19pm AEST Gateshead Fire: Aerial Footage of the fire taken at about 3:15pm by the RFS. Updated at 4.27pm AEST 4.23pm AEST A report from my colleague Oliver Milman: What to do when you’re staring down a fierce fire front? Head to the pub, of course. Jared White, manager of the Royal Springwood Hotel, told Guardian Australia the establishment is acting as a hub for those who have lost property in Springwood, as well as those who are concerned fire is heading their way. “The town is pretty quiet, people are ready to leave,” he said. “A lot of them are heading here for support and reassurance. There have been heaps of people coming in, every second one of them with a story of losing something or friends who have done so. “People aren’t too down. It’s a good community; people support each other. People who have moved out of the area have come back to offer to store things for their friends.” White said water-carrying helicopters were circling the town, although the current wind direction is pushing flames away from Springwood. “I’m not too worried, but it will only take a change of wind for it to be heading our way,” he added 4.36pm AEST Here are the main points from the latest briefing from RFS NSW Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons. You can watch the briefing in full below. There are 79 fires burning across the state, 29 uncontained. Three emergency warning alerts are in place, and four watch and act. Springwood activity is increasing and the new fire near Dudley is burning towards properties. Fitzsimmons said: “there are plenty of firefighters and fire engines in and around those areas.” He asked parents not to try and pick up children still at the Redhead school until advised. The kids are safe. There is a new breakout of fire near Raymond Terrace near Elizabeth Drive. It is burning near the Pacific Highway. Its not posing any immediate threat to property. The Minmi fire is burning still to the west of the M1 motorway. The road is closed. “There’s still a lot of work to do” before it’s brought under control. There are no reported significant breakouts in the other fires, although there are fires at the back of people’s homes in some areas. “We still have a few hours yet of the strong winds and warmer conditions. The winds are expected to continue right through to nightfall and beyond. We are expecting ... that there will be a swing around overnight to a more southerly influence. It will be a dry change though...and we’ll see a dry, cooler day tomorrow with fairly strong southwesterly winds, 40kmph gusting 60-80kmph. Whatever unfolds throughout the afternoon today, there will still be a lot of fire edge that firefighters have to deal with throughout tomorrow, the coming days and coming weeks.” Updated at 4.45pm AEST 5.09pm AEST More images from social media of wildlife and pets affected by the bushfires: In pictures: Australian homes and wildlife threatened with many #NSWfires out of control t.co/Jl8JduxGMc pic.twitter/rfWGl6uo6Y — BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) October 23, 2013 This pig is among the animals sheltering from #NSWfires at Hawkesbury Showground t.co/Yzyu0iGD6X pic.twitter/7KhuA5lE2g — ABC News (@abcnews) October 23, 2013 TEN 90min bulletin at 5pm- those with nowhere to evac animals went to Penrith Stadium #eyewitnessnews pic.twitter/xvgeCznWGQ #nswfires — TEN News Sydney (@TenNewsSydney) October 23, 2013 5.17pm AEST Helen Davidson spoke with longterm Springwood resident Pamela Charlton, who evacuated to the Springwood sports centre on the advice of her neighbour. She told Guardian Australia what the last week has been like compared to past bushfires shes been through, and what its like inside an evacuation centre: 6.07pm AEST Threat unparalleled but so far averted RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says the bushfire threat today was unparalleled and any tragedy has been so far averted because of various strategies from the emergency services, and the involvement of the community: We have seen today, and indeed building throughout this week, one of the most significant threats to the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury communities thats unparalleled. Never before have we seen the extent of damage and destruction, and wide-scale fire activity at this time of the year. Its indicative of the unseasonably dry, hot conditions that have been building now throughout winter and into spring. We need to remind ourselves that we have a long way to go as we look down the coming months into summer and the bushfire danger period for NSW. Weve seen that threat to the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury communities averted. Weve seen it averted because weve seen the best of skills on display, taking on board decisions and actions, weighing up all their options, and embarking on some very deliberate, some very measured, aggressive, and high-risk strategies. Those strategies fortunately, have paid off. But they couldnt do that without the extraordinary unity of purpose from the emergency management community, but most importantly the communities, the people, the mums and dads, the kids, that found themselves in and around these most at risk areas. Updated at 6.10pm AEST 6.09pm AEST Commissioner Fitzsimmons says that people who departed the Blue Mountains today are safe to head back home tonight, though areas with current fire warnings should take these into account. Updated at 6.19pm AEST 6.17pm AEST A small amount of rain last night has helped to prevent the bushfires from spreading, according to Fitzsimmons: There is no doubt that the moisture that came over night, as unexpected as it was, has certainly been a welcome addition to the firefighting effort thats transpired over the last three days. 6.37pm AEST Defence department reportedly admits starting State Mine fire A massive fire burning in Lithgow and the Blue Mountains was caused by explosives training which was being carried out in the area by the department of defence. The Rural Fire Service said an investigation had found the training exercise was responsible for causing the blaze, which has burnt out more than 46,000 hectares and sparked fears of turning into a mega-fire. The investigation has concluded the fire started as a result of exploding ordinances on the range on Wednesday, a RFS spokesman said on Wednesday. On Saturday, Defence said it had launched an investigation into whether the State Mine Fire was caused by a training exercise on army land at Marrangaroo. Updated at 7.00pm AEST 7.07pm AEST Ive used the NSW RFS data feed to take snapshots of the bushfire areas on Tuesday and Wednesday. Animating these shows how well the fires have been contained: Hourly changes in a bushfire near Minmi, from 1:38 to 4:38 Wednesday. Map data ©2013 Google, Cnes/Spot Image, DigitalGlobe, Landsat. See more over on the datablog. 7.11pm AEST The RFS have announce that a number of schools in the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury will be closed tomorrow. 7.30pm AEST Summary Were going to wrap up the liveblog now. Heres a summary of the days events: Hot and dry weather coupled with strong gusty winds flared up fires burning around the state, though a small amount of rain on Tuesday night was credited with reducing the severity of some fires An investigation by the RFS has determined the State Mine fire near Lithgow was caused by live ordnance exercises on Marrangaroo Army Range There are currently 79 fires in NSW, 29 of them uncontained. There is one emergency warning in place for a fire at Gateshead, Lake Macquarie Evacuation centres were open at the North Richmond Community Hall and the Springwood Sports Centre – 83 Macquarie Road, Springwood for Blue Mountains residents The M1 is closed in northbound lanes near Minmi Watch and act alerts remain in place for multiple fires, including fires at Lithgow, Springwood, Mt Victoria, amd Minmi Strong winds are expected to continue to the night with a southerly change bringing drier conditions but keeping strong southwesterly winds of 40kmph, gusting up to 80kmph tomorrow A number of schools will be closed in the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury regions Two teenagers have been arrested and cautioned over the theft of a charity box from a Springwood cafe Premier Barry OFarrell described actions such as that reported of a man attempting to increase rent on his lower Blue Mountains property since it was a good time to do it because of the fires as acts of bastardry A total fire ban remains in place across much of NSW, with the Greater Sydney and Hunter regions on “extreme” fire danger warnings Updated at 7.35pm AEST theguardian/world/2013/oct/23/nsw-bushfires-schools-shut-horror-day?guni=Network%20front:network-front%20main-3%20Main%20trailblock:Network%20front%20-%20main%20trailblock:Position16
Posted on: Wed, 23 Oct 2013 15:25:04 +0000
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