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Tarago fire: residents urged to leave as blaze grows near Canberra NSW bushfires: residents urged to leave as blaze grows near Canberra
(about 3 hours later)
Residents were being urged to act immediately on Wednesday as firefighters battled worsening conditions and an out-of-control blaze near Canberra.Residents were being urged to act immediately on Wednesday as firefighters battled worsening conditions and an out-of-control blaze near Canberra.
The New South Wales Rural Fire Service said those in the Mount Fairy and Boro areas, near Tarago, should implement their bushfire survival plan. Emergency warnings were also issued for two fires in the Hunter region.
The New South Wales Rural Fire Service said those in the Mount Fairy and Boro areas, near Tarago north-west of Canberra, should implement their bushfire survival plan.
“Your safest option is to leave early,” it said. “Well-prepared and actively defended homes can offer safety during the fire.”“Your safest option is to leave early,” it said. “Well-prepared and actively defended homes can offer safety during the fire.”
The grass and bushfire near Tarago, which broke out on Tuesday, is now 3,290 hectares in size and has burnt through Taylors Creek Road, Bungendore Road and Mount Fairy Road. There are reports that some property has already been lost.The grass and bushfire near Tarago, which broke out on Tuesday, is now 3,290 hectares in size and has burnt through Taylors Creek Road, Bungendore Road and Mount Fairy Road. There are reports that some property has already been lost.
Crews took advantage of more favourable conditions – including some rain – overnight to strengthen containment lines and hold the fire to the western side of Goulburn Road between Boro Road and Barnet Drive. In the Hunter Valley, water bombing aircraft were assisting firefighters battle the blazes on Wednesday afternoon at Hart Road at Weston and McLeod Road, Kurri Kurri.
The Hunter Expressway is closed between Branxton and Heddon Greta, with motorists urged to use the New England Highway instead.
The Tarago crews took advantage of more favourable conditions – including some rain – overnight to strengthen containment lines and hold the fire to the western side of Goulburn Road between Boro Road and Barnet Drive.
But conditions deteriorated across the fireground on Wednesday morning and were expected to worsen throughout the day. The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts very hot, dry and gusty winds, with temperatures in the mid-30s.But conditions deteriorated across the fireground on Wednesday morning and were expected to worsen throughout the day. The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts very hot, dry and gusty winds, with temperatures in the mid-30s.
Anyone who has relocated owing to the fire should register with Queanbeyan police station on (02) 6298 0558. Residents who need to move horses from the area can take them to Goulburn showground.Anyone who has relocated owing to the fire should register with Queanbeyan police station on (02) 6298 0558. Residents who need to move horses from the area can take them to Goulburn showground.