Hundreds of schools and nursing homes will be closed on Tuesday as a deadly ring of bushfires are set to encroach on Sydney, officials have warned.
NSW Department of Education released on Monday a list of public and independent schools across the state that will shut down as dangerous blazes continue to threaten Sydney’s suburbs.
As of this afternoon, more than 400 schools are scheduled to close tomorrow, including about 300 public schools and more than 100 Catholic and independent schools, and more than 50 did not operate today.
About 20 TAFE campuses will also close.
‘Safety remains the number one priority. If it is not safe to travel to school please do not attend and inform the school of your intention, ‘said Education Minister Sarah Mitchell.
The Rural Fire Service will continue to update thelistof closures throughout the day as they assess danger levels in at-risk areas.
Fire chiefs announced they are expecting ‘catastrophic’ conditions for Tuesday as temperatures are set to reach (C, with 60 km / h winds and low levels of humidity.
Authorities are employing all available safety measures in the fire effort, including defense resources after Chief of the Defense Force Angus Campbell issued an order to local base commanders.
RAAF aircraft have transported firefighter strike teams from Canberra, Adelaide and Hobart to Port Macquarie.
The suburbs most directly at risk are near the bushland areas around the city such as the Hawkesbury region and Hornsby in the north, Penrith in the west and Camden and Sutherland in the south.
Scroll down for full list of school closings
Nervous wait: Wytaliba resident Storm Sparks holds her son Zeke Bacon as she waits to get back to her house at a roadblock near Glen Innes on Monday
The suburbs most directly at risk of fire are near the bushland areas around the city such as the Hawkesbury region and Hornsby in the north, Penrith in the west and Camden, Campbelltown and Sutherland in the south. Fire chiefs cannot predict exactly where fires will be and have urged residents to keep up with the situation which may change due to the weather
Fire Fighters inspect burnt vintage motor bikes in Torrington on November 11, 2019 in Torrington, Australia
PUBLIC SCHOOL CLOSURES FOR NOVEMBER 12
Afterlee Public School
Aldavilla Public School
Alfords Point Public School
Annangrove Public School
Arcadia Vale Public School
Avoca Beach Public School
Awaba Public School
Balgowlah North Public School
Barkers Vale Public School
Barnsley Public School
Baryulgil Public School
Bates Drive School
(Beechwood Public School
Bellbrook Public School
Bellingen High School
Bellingen Public School
Belltrees Public School
Ben Lomond Public School
Berowra Public School
Bilgola Plateau Public School
Bilpin Public School
Biraban Public School
Black Hill Public School
Blackheath Public School
Blacksmiths Public School
Blaxland East Public School
Blaxland High School
Blaxland Public School
Blue Haven Public School
Boambee Public School
Bobin Public School
Bomaderry High School
Bonnells Bay Public School
Bonnet Bay Public School
Bonville Public School
Botany Bay Environmental Ed Center
Bowraville Central School
Brewongle Environmental Education Center
Brisbania Pub lic School
Brooklyn Public School
Bundeena Public School
Bungwahl Public School
Callala Public School
Camden Haven High School
Camden Park Environmental Ed Center
Cardiff High School
Cascade Environmental Education Center
Cattai Public School
Caves Beach Public School
Central Mangrove Public School
Cessnock East Public School
Chandler Public School
Chatham High School
Chatham Public School
Chifley College Dunheved
Chifley College Senior
Coffee Camp Public School
Collins Creek Public School
Colo Heights Public School
Colo High School
Colo Vale Public School
Comboyne Public School
Comleroy Road Public School
Como West Public School
Congewai Public School
Coolongolook Public School
Coopernook Public School
Cooran bong Public SchoolComboyne Public School
Comleroy Road Public School
Como West Public School
Congewai Public School
Coopernook Public School
Cooranbong Public School
Copacabana Public School
Copmanhurst Public School
Coramba Public School
Corindi Public School
Coutts Crossing Public School
Cowan Public School
Crescent Head Public School
Crossmaglen Public School
Cundletown Public School
Deepwater Public School
Dora Creek Public School
Dorrigo High School
Dorrigo Public School
Dorroughby Environmental Education Center
Dudley Public School
Dundurrabin Public School
Dunoon Public School
Ebor Public School
Elands Public School
Ellerston Public SchoolEllison Public School
Emmaville Central School
Empire Bay Public School
Emu Heights Pub lic School
Engadine West Public School
Eungai Public School
Falls Creek Public School
Fassifern Public School
Faulconbridge Public School
Fennell Bay Public School
Fern Bay Public School
Field Of Mars Environmental Ed Center
Frederickton Public School
Freemans Reach Public School
Galston High School
(Gibberagong Environmental Ed Center
Girrakool School
Glen William Public School
Glenbrook Public School
Glenreagh Public School
Glenvale School
Glossodia Public School
Goolmangar Public School
Goonengerry Public School
Grays Point Public School
Green Hill Public School
Grose View Public School
Gwandalan Public School
Hallidays Point Public School
Hannam Vale Public School
Harrington Public School
Havenlee School
Hazelbrook Public School
Heathcote East Public School
Helensburgh Public School
Henry Fulton Public School
Hernani Public School
Herons Creek Public School
Hill Top Public School
Hillside Public School
Holgate Public School
Hopetown School
Hornsby Heights Public School
Huntingdon Public School
Illawong Public School
Jannali Public School
Jiggi Public School
Jilliby Public School
Johns River Public School
Karangi Public School
Kariong Mountains High School
Katoomba High School
Katoomba North Ps
Katoomba Public School
Kemps Creek Public School
Kempsey East Public School
Kempsey High School
Kempsey South Public School
Kempsey West Public School
Kendall Public School
Kenthurst Public School
Kentlyn Public School
Kincum ber High School
Kincumber Public School
Kitchener Public School
Krambach Public School
Kulnura Public School
Ku-Ring-Gai High School
Kurmond Public School
Kurrajong East Public School
Kurrajong North Public School
Kurri Kurri High School
Laguna Public School
Lake Cathie Public School
Lake Munmorah High School
Lake Munmorah Public School
Lansdowne Public School
Lapstone Public School
Larnook Public School
Laurieton Public School
Lawson Public School
Leura Public School
Lindfield Learning Village
Lisarow High School
Lisarow Public School
Loftus Public School
Long Flat Public School
Longneck Lagoon Environmental Ed Center
Larnook Public School
Laurieton Public School
Lawson Public School
Leura Public School
Lindfield Learning Village
Lisarow High School
Lisarow Public School
Loftus Public School
Long Flat Public School
Longneck Lagoon Environmental Ed Center
Lowanna Public School
Lucas Heights Community School
Macdonald Valley Public School
Main Arm Upper Public School
Manly Vale Public School
Manning Gardens Public School
Maroota Public School
Marsden Park Public School
Martins Creek Public School
Marton Public School
Matthew Pearce Public School
Medlow Public School
Megalong Public School
Melville High School
Menai High School
Menai Public School
Merewether Heights Public School
Milbrodale Public School
) Mingoola Public School
Mitchells Island Public School
Modanville Public School
Moorland Public School
Morisset Public School
Mount George Public School
Mount Hutton Public School
Mount Keira Public School
Mount Kembla Public School
Mount Kuring-Gai Public School
Mount Riverview Public School
Mount Victoria Public School
Mullaway Public School
Nabiac Public School
Nana Glen Public School
Narara Valley High School
Narranga Public School
New Lambton Heights Infants School)
Nimbin Central School
Nords Wharf Public School
North Gosford Learning Center
North Haven Public School
Nymboida Public School
Oakville Public School
Oatley West Public School
Old Bar Public School
Orama Public School
Orara High School
Orara Upper Public School
Otford Public School
Ourimbah Public School
Oxley Island Public School
Pacific Palms Public School
Palm Avenue School
Peats Ridge Public School
Pelaw Main Public School
Penrith Valley Learning Center
Penrose Public School
Pleasant Heights Public School
Point Clare Public School
Pretty Beach Public School
Raleigh Public School)
Repton Public School
Rollands Plains Upper Public School
Royal National Park Environmental Ed Ctr
Rukenvale Public School
Rumbalara Environmental Education Center
Samuel Gilbert Public School
Sandy Beach Public School
Scarborough Public School
Sir Eric Woodward Memorial School
Somersby Public School
Springwood High School
Springwood Public School
St Helens Park Public School
St Ives North Public School
Stanford Merthyr Infants School
Stanwell Park Public School
Sussex Inlet Public School
Swansea High School
Tanilba Bay Pu blic School
Taree High School
Taree Public School
Taree West Public School
Telegraph Point Public School
Terrey Hills Public School
Thalgarrah Environmental Ed Center
Tharawal Public School
The Beach School
The Channon Public School
The Cook School
The Risk Public School
Tinonee Public School
Tomaree High School
Tomaree Public School
Tomerong Public School
Tuggerah Lakes Sec Coll Berkeley Vale
Tuggerah Lakes Sec College Tumbi Umbi
Tuggerah Public School
Tuntable Creek Public School
Turramurra High School
Tyalla Public School
Ulong Public School
Upper Coopers Creek Public School
Upper Lansdowne Public School
Urbenville Public School
Vincentia High School
Vincentia Public School
Vineyard Public School
Wakefield School
Wamberal Public School
Warrimoo Public School
Waterfall Public School
Wentworth Falls Public School
Whian Whian Public School
Whitebridge High School
Wiangaree Public School
Willawarrin Public School
William Bayldon Public School
Wilsons Creek Public School
Windsor Park Public School
Wingham Brush Public School
Wingham High School
Wingham Public School
Winmalee High School
Winmalee Public School
Wirreanda Public School
Wisemans Ferry Public School
Woodenbong Central School
Wooglemai Environmental Education Center
Woolgoolga High School
Woolgoolga Public School
Wooli Public School
Woronora River Public School
Wyong Creek Public School
Wytaliba Public School
Yarrawarrah Public School
Yarrowitch Public School
SCHOOL CLOSURES WILL BE UPDATED ON THE NSW DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WEBSITE
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL CLOSURES FOR NOVEMBER 12
Manning Valley Anglican School, Cundletown
Tuntable Falls Community School, Nimbin
Alesco Senior College – Coast Campus , Tuncurry
Port Macquarie Steiner School, Port Macquarie
The Nature School, Port Macquarie
Rainbow Ridge School for Steiner Education, Lillian Rock
Pete’s Place South Blacktown, Blacktown
Taree Christian School, Taree
Nautilus School Port Macquarie, Port Macquarie
)
Wycliffe Christian School, Warrimoo
Korowal School, Hazelbrook
Forrestville Montessori School, Fore stville
Lindfield Montessssori, Lindfield
Alesco Senior College – Raymond Terrace, Raymond Terrace
St Phillips Christian College DALE Young Parents Wyong, North Wyong
St Phillips Christian College DALE Young Parents Waratah, Waratah
Cape Byron Rudolf Steiner, Byron Bay
Mountains Christian College, Blackheath
Warrah Special School, Dural
Kinma Preschool & Primary, Terrey Hills
St Columba Anglican School, Port Macquarie
Hawkesbury Independent School, Kurrajong
Atwea College – Coast Campus, Tuncurry
Newington College – Lindefield Campus, Lindfield
Yanginanook School, Belrose
Lorien Novalis School, Dural
Ngaruki Gulgul (NG) Central School, Kariong
Chrysalis Steiner School, Thora
Mater Dei School, Narellan
Macksville Adventist School, Macksville
Kindlehill School, Wentworth Falls
N ambucca Valley Christian Community School, Nambucca Heads
John Colet School, Belrose
Manning Adventist School, Tinonee
Gaulston College, Ingleside
Central Coast Sports College, Kariong
Darkinjung Barker College, Yarramalong
) Medowie Christian School, Medowie
St Andrews Christian School, Clarenza
Columba Cottage Early Leaning Center / OSCH, Port Macquarie
Northern Beaches Christian School, Terrey Hills
Berowra Christian School, Berowra
Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School, Middle Cove
Armidale Waldorf School, Armidale
Kuyper Christian School, Kurrajong
Before and after: Clear skies and green trees that stretched behind the bright coastline at Dunb ogan Beach (left) transformed into a violent orange, as reflected by the smokey skies (right)
But fire bosses have warned ‘no area is entirely safe ‘as high winds could send dangerous embers capable of sparking secondary fires towards beachside suburbs such as Manly and even the CBD, home to the Opera House.
Ben Shepheard of the New South Wales Rural Fire Service warned that ‘everywhere in Sydney’, as well as surrounding areas, may be affected.
‘The high winds we are expecting on Tuesday mean that embers travel large distances. For example, if there is a fire in Garigal National Park then embers may fall in and around Manly, ‘he told Daily Mail Australia.
Sydney nursing homes and aged care centers are also preparing for the worst and have been reviewing evacuation plans as the city braces for what authorities are calling a ‘unprecedented level of bush fire danger.’
Currently, the facilities that are most at risk are those in Maitland, Coffs Harbor, Forestville and Bateman’s Bay.
In Sydney’s Northern Beaches, police issued a statement on social media warning residents that tomorrow ‘will not be a normal day.’
‘We’re hoping for the best but planning for the worst. The best is no fires, ‘they said in a Facebook post. ‘The worst is a 1 in 100 year event. ‘
Northern Beaches Police issued a statement on social media warning residents that tomorrow ‘will not be a normal day’
Danger: Sydney is facing ‘catastrophic’ fire conditions on Tuesday. Pictured: A smokey haze over Port Macquarie, northern NSW on Sunday night
State of emergency: Fire chiefs warned that conditions on Tuesday could be so bad that it will be too dangerous for firefighters to try to put out the flames. Pictured: A smokey haze over Port Macquarie, northern NSW on Sunday
Raging: A huge inferno took hold near Yeppoon, central Queensland. Almost 50 fires are burning in Queensland with crews focused on three that could threaten lives
Map of horror: A diagram issued by the Rural Fire Service warns of a catastrophic danger – the highest level – to the Greaterv Sydney and Greater Hunter regions as temperatures will hit 37 C on Tuesday
SYDNEY BRACES FOR ‘CATASTROPHIC’ CONDITIONS
NSW Police have released important public information regarding bush fires as the state braces for ‘catastrophic’ conditions tomorrow
DEFENSE AID:
Chief of the Defense Force Angus Campbell has issued an order to local base commanders to make clear they can use defense resourc es in the fire effort.
RAAF aircraft have transported firefighter strike teams from Canberra, Adelaide and Hobart to Port Macquarie.
Singleton Army Barracks in NSW is on stand-by to provide accommodation and catering support **** to firefighters from the Victorian Country Fire Authority.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Service are using Kokoda Barracks in Canungra to refuel aircraft.
Defense has embedded planners into Queensland State Disaster Coordination Centers and New South Wales Rural Fire Service headquarters.
SCHOOLS:
More than 400 schools across the state will be shut, including about 300 public schools and more than 100 Catholic and independent schools.
About 20 TAFE campuses will also close.
‘Safety remains the number one priority. If is not safe to travel to school please do not attend and inform the school of your intention, ‘Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said.
A list of the affect schools can be found on NSW Department of Education’swebsite, which will be updated throughout the day.
AREAS AT RISK:
RFS has issued a catastrophic fire danger rating for the Greater Sydney, Greater Hunter, Illawarra / Shoalhaven areas.
Catastrophic is the highest level of bush fire dangers and homes are not designed to withstand a fire in these conditions.
While there are large population centers under catastrophic conditions, there are also large areas of Severe and Extreme fire danger.
This includes areas where we already have dangerous fires burning – and these conditions will be worse than those experienced last week.
A Total Fire Ban is in place for the whole of the state.
WARNINGS:
RFS is urging residents to stay up to date on fires in their area by downloading the ‘Fires Near Me’ app: https: / /www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fires-near-me.
Residents are advised to evacuate as soon as they sense danger as some fires could start and spread quickly with little warning, and emergency services are not guaranteed to arrive in time.
What to do:
- Start taking action now to reduce your risk.
- Avoid bush fire prone areas. If your home is in a bush fire prone area, the safest option is to not be there.
- Do not travel through bushland areas.
- A safer location may be a large town or city, shopping centers or facilities well away from bushland. It may also be a designated ‘Neighborhood Safer Place’.
- A Neighborhood Safer Place is designed as a Place of Last Resort in bush fire emergencies only. Please note that traveling to or sheltering at a Neighborhood Safer Place does not guarantee your safety.
- People with special needs, such as the elderly and people with a disability, should always leave before the threat of bush fire.
- If you’re preparing to leave, make sure you pack your medications, including those in the fridge. Smoke can cause health problems, especially for people with pre-existing lung and heart conditions like asthma, emphysema, angina or heart failure.
- Avoid outdoor physical activity if it’s smoky, particularly if you have a pre-existing condition like asthma. People with asthma should follow their asthma management plans. If you have asthma, make sure you keep your reliever medication close to hand.
- If it is unsafe to leave the area or stay and defend your property, and the path is clear, you should move to your pre-identified Neighborhood Safer Place, or other safer location, prior to the impact of a bush fire.
- Be aware that when you are traveling to your Neighborhood Safer Place there may be heavy smoke and poor visibility.
- It is important that you are familiar with the area. Gather at the Neighborhood Safer Place location and remain there until the bush fire threat has passed.
- The conditions at the Neighborhood Safer Place may be uncomfortable and you may be affected by heat, smoke and embers.
- Water, toilets and food may not be available at the Neighborhood Safer Place and emergency service personnel may not be present.
- Neighborhood Safer Places are not intended for pets and livestock.
- For more information about the fires, contact the Bush Fire Information Line – 1800 679 737
Bureau of Meteorology (BoM):
A strong cold front will move through NSW on Tuesday, with hot, dry and gusty conditions ahead of the front generating very dangerous fire conditions over the ranges, slopes and coast.
All people in bush fire prone areas in NSW need to have a bush fire plan, remain vigilant, and monitor warnings and messages from the RFS.
Damaging wind gusts are also possible over parts of the southern ranges, Illawarra, Sydney coastal fringe and Hunter Coastal Fringe on Tuesday. Areas of raised dust are also forecast west of the Great Dividing Range, and there is a change that this system will bring dust to some coastal districts.
EVACUATION CENTRES:
Evacuation Centers are in place throughout fire-affected areas of the state. The most up-to-date information is available at https://www.emergency.nsw.gov.au/Pages/for-the-community/disaster-assistance/disaster-assistance.aspx
The NSW Police Force keep their Facebook page up to date with evacuation centers that re open. Please monitor https://www.facebook.com/nswpoliceforce/
TRANSPORT:
Motorists should delay all non-essential travel.
Many roads remain closed due to bush fires. Be prepared for conditions to change quickly and roads to close suddenly.
If you need to travel, also make sure you’ve got water, food, supplies and a full tank of fuel. Make sure your mobile phone is fully charged before you set out.
If you’re already traveling when a bush fire starts, follow the directions of emergency services personnel.
Due to fire activity, both man and local roads may close without warning. For the latest information on road closures, check www.livetraffic.com or download the Live Traffic NSW app or call 132 (**********************************************************************.
All North Coast Train Services, from Sydney to Casino and Sydney to Grafton and their return trips have been cancelled until Wednesday due to the bush fires. Passengers are advised to delay any non-essential travel to the bush fire-affected areas.
For the latest information on public transport, check transportnsw.info or download a transport app or call 131 500.
NSW AMBULANCE
NSW Ambulance recommends if anyone sustains any form of burn they should cool the affected area immediately with water – ideally running water – for a minimum of 20 minutes (for eyes ensure you flush the eye) and seek medical attention.
NSW Ambulance is always here to help – never be afraid to call Triple Zero.
AGRICULTURE & ANIMAL SERVICES:
Include your animals in your bush fire plan.
If you can, take your animals with you. Assistance from AASFA is available if you attend an evacuation center.
For those impacted and seeking assistance for emergency fodder, emergency water (for immediate animal welfare cases only) or animal assessment (resulting from the fires) please contact the AASFA Hotline on 1800 814 647.
NSW ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AUTHORITY (EPA):
Large volumes of waste have been generated from the bush fires and the EPA will work with local authorities to ensure the waste can be appropriately moved and disposed of when it is safe to do so.
The EPA is also monitoring impacts on its licensed premises and providing advice to licensees about how to manage their sites given the challenging conditions.
The community can report environmental concerns to the Environment Line 24 / 7 on 131 555.
RECOVERY:
The State Emergency Recovery Controller has indicated a State Recovery Committee will be established to coordinate the significant recovery effort resulting from this event. The EPA will play a key role on the state level and related regional level committees which are likely to be active for the remainder of the bush fire season.
UTILITIES:
Keep at least 8 meters away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energized, such as fences.
Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavor Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.
On Monday morning, as more than 100 fires burned in New South Wales and Queensland, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian officially declared a state of emergency for the first time since October 2013.
Fire chiefs warned that conditions on Tuesday could be so bad that it will be too dangerous for firefighters to try to put out the flames.
‘In those conditions, fire behavior is erratic and extreme to say the least and we won’t be putting fires out when they take hold,’ said NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons.
‘Suppression is futile. The focus is on life safety and life protection … The risk is absolutely real. ‘
On Monday afternoon the fire service extended the area facing’ catastrophic ‘danger from Greater Sydney and the Hunter region to includethe Illawarra and Shoalhaven.
Some 400 firefighters are flying in from interstate and 50 firetrucks are driving up from Victoria to be stationed in the Hunter region.
Dozens ofschoolshave announced they will close on Tuesday while electricity network operator Ausgrid has cancelled maintenance work and is preparing emergency crews to deal with power lines collapsing.
The fires are producing so much smoke that Brisbane’sair qualityis three times worse than Beijing’s – as the smog blows as far east as New Zealand and Vanuatu.
As of Monday afternoon, there were around 60 active fires in New South Wales and 50 in Queensland.
On guard: NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian (pictured on Monday at RFS HQ) officially declared a state of emergency which will last for seven days – as fire chiefs warned the infernos will be too dangerous to put out
A bird’s eye view: A photo from a plane over north eastern New South Wales as more than 100 blazes ravage Queensland and NSW
Helping hand: A resident puts out small fires as he rides his motorcycle in Old Bar, New South Wales on Sunday
Ravaged: A burnt car at a property destroyed by a bushfire near Glen Innes, New South Wales – as the worst is yet to come
The Sydney councils suffering ‘catastrophic’ fire conditions on Tuesday: A full list
T he Hills
Blacktown
Blue Mountains
Burwood
Camden
Campbelltown
Canada Bay
Fairfield
Hawkesbury
Hornsby
Hunters Hill
Kogarah
Ku-ring-gai
Lane Cove
Liverpool
(Mosman
North Sydney
Parramatta
Penrith
Randwick
Ryde
Strathfield
Sutherland
Sydney
Waverley
Willoughby
Woollahra
Bayside
Canterbury-Bankstown
Central Coast
Cumberland
Georges River
Inner West
Northern Beaches
Source:NSW RFS
Amid Australia’s worst drought on record, devastating fires are ravaging the ea st coast earlier in the year than normal.
Over the weekend a man and two women in their sixties died in northern New South Wales as they attempted to flee too late – and more than 100 people, including 20 firefighters, have been injured.
Apocalyptic footage showed the sky over Port Macquarie turn a vibrant orange due to the flames and smoke on Sunday night.
Millions of dollars worth of damage has been caused as insurance companies send specialist disaster teams into fire-ravaged areas, with 150 claims lodged by 11 am on Monday, according to theInsurance Counci l.
The body has declared the NSW North Coast to be in a state of catastrophe, meaning that claims there will be looked at as a priority.
Destruction: A firefighter works to contain a bushfire near Taree, New South Wales by spraying water on a smoldering tree
Firefighters from Tasmania are being mobilized to relieve exhausted Queensland crews, with the danger far from over. Pictured: A huge inferno near Yeppoon, central Queensland
Inferno: A fire ravages the land near Glen Innes , New South Wales as a series of devastating blazes sweep through the east coast
Damage: On Sunday a fire truck was hit by falling branches at Nambucca Heads and two firefighters were rushed to hospital with injuries
Climate change campaigners are blaming the disaster on global warming – but Scott Morrison on Sunday refused to say if climate change is a factor.
‘My only thoughts today are with those who have lost their lives and their families,’ he said after he was heckled by a protester in Taree where he was visiting victims.
Ms Berejiklian mimicked his stance on Monday, saying: ‘I thought it was inappropriate that people were trying to talk about climate change yesterday when people wanted to stay alive . ‘
Ruins: A house destroyed by a bushfire is seen in Torring ton, near Glen Innes. Dozens of homes have been ruined by the fires
Like father, like son: NSW Rural Fire Service volunteers Bob (left) and Greg Kneipp, a father and son, pose for a photo after successfully defending a property in Torrington, near Glen Innes
Fires take their toll: More than 100 are hurt by infernos
Doctors and paramedics on the ground have treated more than 100 people hurt during NSW’s devastating bushfires, 20 of them firefighters injured trying to protect communities.
NSW Ambulance Commissioner Dominic Morgan is considering bringing in extra resources from interstate.
‘Over the last few days our doctors and paramedics have been exceedingly busy; they’ve treated over 100 patients for fire-related activity, ‘he told reporters in Sydney on Monday.
‘ We had a whole range of things that have been confirmed from very severe burns, sadly resulting in a loss of life in some instances , right down to minor injuries and minor burns. ‘
Mr Morgan paid tribute to the firefighters his teams had treated who were injured in the line of duty.
‘ That’s something that we should all be recognizing, ‘he said.
‘ Up to 20 (of the people treated) have been directly related to firefighters being injured while protecting their own communities. ‘
Mr Morgan said 30 additional ambulance crews would be deployed across the state to ensure additional protection as well as extra air assets.
Keeping watch: Firefighters keep a close eye on a bushfire approaching in Old Bar, New South Wales as they battle to control the blazes
Battle: A firefighter works to contain a bushfire near Glen Innes, New South Wales as more than 100 blazes ravage the eastern states
Smoldering: Fire burns on Bolivia Hill near Glen Innes on Sunday. Firefighters are struggling to contain blazes across the east
‘It wasn’t a bushfire, it was a firestorm’: Residents tell of horror as homes are destroyed
Residents thought they were going to die huddled in their small NSW community’s fire station during an ‘apocalyptic’ bushfire that sounded like a freight train and rained down embers and soot.
The Northern Tablelands village of Torrington, population 81, lost a dozen homes on Friday as the worst fire in living memory engulfed the town.
While some residents fled early on Friday, Linda Birch was among those to take refuge in the town’s metal fire station.
Smoke soon crept under the doors of the shed as embers bombarded the vents.
‘It wasn’t a bushfire, it was a firestorm,’ she told AAP.
‘The ferocity of this sto rm was that immense that we needed to put masks on within the shed as well. ‘
Ms Birch admitted she thought she was going to die, describing the situation as’ apocalyptic’.
Residents are warned to prepare to evacuate early and head to town centers and other safe places on Monday. Pictured: Firefighters in Taree
Outside, the volunteer firefighters who were barely able to see a few feet ahead of themselves watered down the shed and hoped it survived .
‘The sound was like a freight train, we couldn’t hear ourselves, we couldn’t talk, we just reacted,’ Ms Birch said.
‘We weren’t sure if anyone survived outside. My husband and Leigh’s husband were outside. ‘
Jennette Styles said Victorian firefighters managed to save the community hall -‘ the hub of our village ‘- but homes dating back to the early 20 th century and their contents had been lost.
‘Our heritage, our history is just disappearing,’ she said.
‘It’s an amazing village because we have beautiful people here and we care about each other.
‘ We pull together, but we need someone to come out and talk to these people who have lost houses.There are people who aren’t insured or don’t own the property or who have lost $ 85, 000 sheds. ‘
The volunteer firefighters continued f ighting the blaze over the weekend, saving Geoff Hilton’s home and shed just in time.
‘How close do you want it to be?’ he says, looking at scorched earth forming a ring around his shed.
Torrington RFS captain Greg Kneipp and his deputy, his dad Bob, have been battling the blaze since it began two weeks ago, with a few days rest in between.
They were thankful for the support of out-of-town and interstate crews, aerial water bombing and those carting water to the station to fill the trucks. )
‘This would be the worst fire and I’m 47 years in the RFS. This would be it by far and only because of the dry conditions is it so bad, ‘Bob Kneipp said.
He said the camaraderie of the fire crew was one of the reasons he stayed in the RFS but has noticed young people are less likely to sign up.
‘We’re a big happy family,’ he said.
‘Even when the strike teams come in … within a couple of days, we know every one of them. ‘
NSW on Monday declared a state of emergency for seven days as bushfires continued to rage across the state.
A map issued by the Rural Fire Service warns of a catastrophic danger – the highest level – to
What does a state of emergency mean?
A state of emergency allows emergency services personnel to:
Direct the public to evacuate an area or not enter an area
Order power and gas supplies to be shut off
Shore up or pull down buildings
) Enter premises to facilitate the exercise of these powers.
It’s the first time a catastrophic fire danger has been declared for Sydney since new fire ratings were introduced in 2009.
‘High temperatures, strong winds and low humidity are forecast, making conditions dangerous,’ NSW Rural Fire Service warned on social media.
‘Catastrophic is the highest level of bush fire danger. Homes are not designed to withstand a fire under these conditions.
‘If a fire starts and takes hold during catastrophic fire danger conditions, lives and homes will be at risk.’
Residents are warned to prepare to evacuate early and head to town centers and other safe places on Monday and not wait until the last moment on Tuesday.
A catastrophic fire danger has been forecast for Sydney on Tuesday in the wake of the bushfires that have devastated the Taree region on the NSW north coast in recent days
Devastation: Scott Morrison comforts 85 – year-old Owen Whalan in Koorainghat after he lost his home in a devastating blaze
A map of devastating heat: The dark red regions are where temperatures will soar above 30 C on Tuesday
Unhealthy: As fires burned in Queensland, air pollution in Brisbane reached ‘very unhealthy’ levels, according to theAir Quality Index Visual Map. The purple areas are the worst affected. The air quality there is worse than the most polluted city in the world, Delhi in India
‘For your survival, leaving early is the only option, ‘*** NSW RFS website states.
‘ Leave bushfire prone areas the night before or early in the day – do not just wait and see what happens.
‘Start making arrangements now.If you are unable to leave, identify a safe location which may be nearby. ‘
While NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian described the conditions forecast for Tuesday as’ dire’, the RFS described the threat of lives and homes being lost as’ very real. ‘
‘ We’ve got big population centers covered by that catastrophic fire danger – but also up on the north coast where we’ve simply got a lot of fires burning at the moment, those fires have got a real potential to run and impact on lives and properties, ‘spokesman Anthony Clark told the ABC.
It’s the first time a catastrophic fire warning has been declared for the greater S ydney region
It’s been a horror few days in the state’s north, where raging bushfires have claimed three lives and destroyed at least 160 Homes. Pictured are the bushfires near Glen Innes on Sunday
Large areas of the state are also predicted to see ‘severe and extreme fire danger.’
‘This includes in the north coast and northern NSW areas, where there is a large number of fires already burning. These fires will not be contained in time and will threaten lives and properties, ‘the RFS warned.
A statewide total fire ban has been declared for Monday and Tuesday.
‘We are ramping up for probably another 50 trucks full of crews to be deployed into NSWon Monday night ahead of conditions on Tuesday, NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons told reporters
‘We have seen the gravity of the situation unfold … What we can expect is those sorts of conditions to prevail across a much broader geographic area as we head into Tuesday.’
Moisture levels of trees and shrubs around Sydney are lower than during the Black Christmas fires of 2001, according to Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment fire researcher Rachael Nolan.
‘We already knew it was going to be bad’ even before Tuesday’s declaration of ‘catastrophic’ fire dangers for the Sydney and Newcastle regions, Dr Nolan told theSydney Morning Herald.
‘We’re seeing many reports of entire hill slopes of trees dying.’
‘What this means is that there’s lots of dead leaves on the trees and sitting on the surface of shrubs and on the ground. These dead leaves make the vegetation as a whole very dry, and therefore highly flammable. ‘
NSW RFS has described the potential threat of more lives and homes being lost on Tuesday as ‘very real.’ Pictured are firefighting efforts in Old Bar on the NSW mid north coast
More than 60 bush fires continued to burn across the state on Sunday night as conditions eased, with all of the blazes at ‘advice’ and ‘watch and act’ alert levels.
Just under half are still not under control.
‘We’re simply not going to contain many of those fires before the bad conditions do hit on Tuesday,’ Mr Clark told ABC.
Schools in identified high risk areas will be closed and the RFS advises those in the areas of catastrophic fire danger to avoid bushfire-prone areas.
More than 40 schools in NSW will also be closed on Monday due to the impact of the fires in the state’s north.
Parents, carers and staff should not put themselves at risk by traveling if in doubt about whether their school will be open, the department said.
Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said students sitting their HSC should contact their school if unsure if exams will occur, or if it is unsafe for them to get to an examination venue.
‘Students unable to attend an examination due to the bushfires will not be disadvantaged,’ she said in a statement.
Taken too soon: The victims of the killer bushfires
Lost to fire: Vivian Chaplain, 69, a grandmother of six
Julie Fletcher, 63:The dairy cattle farmer’s body was found in the burnt out remains of her Johns River home near Taree on Saturday afternoon.
She had her car packed with possessions, ready to evacuate butdidn’t make it out in time.
(Vivian Chaplain, 69:The Grandmother of six also died while trying to save her Wytaliba property more than 400 kilometers away near Glen Innes.
George Nole, age unknown:His body was found in a burnt-out car in Wytaliba on Saturday morning.
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