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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jan/18/tarago-fire-residents-urged-to-leave-as-blaze-grows-near-canberra
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| NSW bushfires: residents warned over fires in Hunter Valley and near Canberra | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Residents were evacuating and moving stock on Wednesday as firefighters battled worsening conditions and an out-of-control blaze near Canberra. | |
| Emergency warnings were also issued for two fires in the Hunter region. Residents in the Heddon Greta area were sent emergency phone messages on Wednesday afternoon as a fire at Kurri Kurri moved north. | |
| The ABC was reporting an unknown number of homes were lost later in the afternoon. | |
| The New South Wales Rural Fire Service had earlier 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 on Wednesday morning. “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. |
| In the Hunter Valley, water bombing aircraft were assisting firefighters battle the Kurri Kurri blaze and a second nearby on Wednesday afternoon. | |
| The Hunter Expressway was closed between Branxton and Heddon Greta, and motorists were urged to use the New England Highway instead. | |
| The ABC was reporting the nearby Weston Aluminium recycling plant had been shut down to limit the threat of an explosion. | |
| 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. | 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. |