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Dozens of bushfires burn out of control in NSW and Queensland as temperatures soar Dozens of bushfires burn out of control in NSW and Queensland as temperatures soar
(32 minutes later)
Hot and windy weather has created volatile bushfire conditions in parts of Australia’s east coast Hot and windy weather has created volatile conditions along parts of Australia’s east coast
Parched and windy conditions have created a volatile bushfire situation across drought-stricken New South Wales, the state’s rural fire service says, with two emergency warnings issued for out-of-control blazes in the state’s north.Parched and windy conditions have created a volatile bushfire situation across drought-stricken New South Wales, the state’s rural fire service says, with two emergency warnings issued for out-of-control blazes in the state’s north.
Queensland is also bracing for extreme fire danger as temperatures soar close to 40C across parts of the southeast, while Perth is expected to reach 40C on Saturday. Queensland is also bracing for extreme fire danger as temperatures soar close to 40C across parts of the south-east, while Perth is expected to reach 40C on Saturday.
NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons has confirmed two homes have already been damaged or destroyed on the mid-north coast. The NSW Rural Fire Service commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons, has confirmed two homes have already been damaged or destroyed on the mid-north coast.
Emergency warnings, meanwhile, were issued on Friday morning for fires at Gulf Road, Torrington and Hillville Road, Hillville near Taree.Emergency warnings, meanwhile, were issued on Friday morning for fires at Gulf Road, Torrington and Hillville Road, Hillville near Taree.
“It is a volatile day and it will remain a volatile day,” Fitzsimmons told reporters in Sydney on Friday.“It is a volatile day and it will remain a volatile day,” Fitzsimmons told reporters in Sydney on Friday.
“We need vigilance and we need people to be decisive and ready to act in accordance with any direction given by authorities.”“We need vigilance and we need people to be decisive and ready to act in accordance with any direction given by authorities.”
The fire at Torrington, near Tenterfield, is almost 14,000 hectares in size and is burning to the west of Silent Grove Road as firefighters battle the blaze ahead of worsening conditions predicted later in the day.The fire at Torrington, near Tenterfield, is almost 14,000 hectares in size and is burning to the west of Silent Grove Road as firefighters battle the blaze ahead of worsening conditions predicted later in the day.
People in the areas of Torrington, Silent Grove, Wolfram Hill, Tungsten, Maids Valley and Mole River are being advised to seek shelter as the fire approaches.People in the areas of Torrington, Silent Grove, Wolfram Hill, Tungsten, Maids Valley and Mole River are being advised to seek shelter as the fire approaches.
The fire at Hillville, on the NSW mid-north coast, is burning on the western side of the Pacific Highway, north of Possum Brush and south of Rainbow Flat as well as in the Talawahl Nature Reserve. The fire at Hillville, on the NSW mid-north coast, is burning on the western side of the Pacific Highway, north of Possum Brush and south of Rainbow Flat, as well as in the Talawahl Nature Reserve.
The RFS has advised those in the area of Coates Trail and Road and Possum Brush who plan to leave should leave now and head towards Tuncurry.The RFS has advised those in the area of Coates Trail and Road and Possum Brush who plan to leave should leave now and head towards Tuncurry.
Fitzsimmons said the bushfire danger across the state was “at the upper end of the scale”, with five total fire bans in place for the New England, far north coast, north coast, Greater Hunter and Northern Slopes regions. Fitzsimmons said the bushfire danger across the state was “at the upper end of the scale”, with five total fire bans in place for the New England, far north coast, north coast, greater Hunter and northern slopes regions.
At 11am, 74 fires were burning around the state, with 33 uncontained despite the best efforts of more than 900 firefighters and support staff.At 11am, 74 fires were burning around the state, with 33 uncontained despite the best efforts of more than 900 firefighters and support staff.
Fitzsimmons said bush and grass fires are currently burning through about 370,000ha of NSW land - more than the entire land area burnt last year. Fitzsimmons said bush and grass fires are currently burning through about 370,000ha of NSW land – more than the entire land area burnt last year.
The escalated fire risk comes after a man, aged in his 50s, suffered serious burns to his legs and hands while trying to defend his rural property in Yarrowitch, east of Walcha, on Thursday. The escalated fire risk comes after a man aged in his 50s suffered serious burns to his legs and hands while trying to defend his rural property in Yarrowitch, east of Walcha, on Thursday.
Dust is also expected to be blown across much of the state’s northeast on Friday, with the Central Coast and Newcastle areas the worst affected. It is likely clear over the course of the day. Dust is also expected to be blown across much of the state’s north-east on Friday, with the central coast and Newcastle areas the worst affected. It is likely clear over the course of the day.
Severe heat in QueenslandSevere heat in Queensland
Extreme fire warnings have been issued for parts of Queensland as 28 blazes burn across the state and firefighters prepare for big winds to sweep through tinder dry areas. Extreme fire warnings have been issued for parts of Queensland as 28 blazes burn across the state and firefighters prepare for big winds to sweep through tinder-dry areas.
The fire danger will peak in the Darling Downs and Granite Belt on Friday afternoon with temperatures across the southeast expected to soar toward 40C. The fire danger will peak in the Darling Downs and granite belt on Friday afternoon with temperatures across the south-east expected to soar toward 40C.
Forecasters say extreme warnings are in place from the Gold Coast to the Sunshine Coast, inland to Toowoomba and then out towards Dalby, Miles and Goondiwindi.Forecasters say extreme warnings are in place from the Gold Coast to the Sunshine Coast, inland to Toowoomba and then out towards Dalby, Miles and Goondiwindi.
Severe warnings have been issued for the area between Gympie and Bundaberg, out to Taroom, Emerald and west to Charleville.Severe warnings have been issued for the area between Gympie and Bundaberg, out to Taroom, Emerald and west to Charleville.
Warnings are also covering Maranoa, Warrego, the Central Highlands and Coalfields, Wide Bay and Burnett regions, and the southeast coast. Warnings are also covering Maranoa, Warrego, the Central Highlands and Coalfields, Wide Bay and Burnett regions, and the south-east coast.
Authorities are expecting big winds to blow through regions where water is scarce and land has been dried out by drought.Authorities are expecting big winds to blow through regions where water is scarce and land has been dried out by drought.
A watch and act alert is currently in place for a fire in Clumber, near the border with NSW.A watch and act alert is currently in place for a fire in Clumber, near the border with NSW.
Wind gusts of up to 80km/h are expected in the afternoon as a low-pressure trough sweeps across the southeast, the weather bureau says.Wind gusts of up to 80km/h are expected in the afternoon as a low-pressure trough sweeps across the southeast, the weather bureau says.
Brisbane is set to reach a maximum of 37C while Ipswich will sizzle in 39C heat with no chance of rain over the next week.Brisbane is set to reach a maximum of 37C while Ipswich will sizzle in 39C heat with no chance of rain over the next week.
Fires are already burning across Queensland on the Darling Downs near Laidley, and south of Gympie.Fires are already burning across Queensland on the Darling Downs near Laidley, and south of Gympie.
Conditions will ease over the weekend.Conditions will ease over the weekend.