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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/dec/02/emergency-bushfire-warning-on-nsw-south-coast-as-strong-winds-fuel-blaze

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Emergency bushfire warning on NSW south coast as strong winds fuel blaze Emergency bushfire warning on NSW south coast as strong winds fuel blaze
(about 3 hours later)
Fire north of Batemans Bay doubles in size, burning through more than 11,560 hectaresFire north of Batemans Bay doubles in size, burning through more than 11,560 hectares
An out-of-control bushfire burning in the New South Wales’ Shoalhaven region has almost doubled in size after being whipped up by strong westerly winds, prompting an emergency warning. An out-of-control bushfire burning in the New South Wales’ Shoalhaven region has almost doubled in size after being whipped up by strong and gusty winds, prompting an emergency warning.
The fire north of Batemans Bay has burnt through more than 11,560 hectares and was spreading quickly in an easterly direction on Monday morning. The fire north of Batemans Bay has burnt through more than 11,560 hectares and was spreading quickly in a north-easterly direction on Monday afternoon towards the area of Termeil.
The Princes Highway was closed between Termeil and the Kings Highway turnoff, cutting access to coastal communities in the area.The Princes Highway was closed between Termeil and the Kings Highway turnoff, cutting access to coastal communities in the area.
The Rural Fire Service NSW warned those living in areas between Kioloa and North Durras, including Depot Beach, Pebbly Beach, Pretty Beach and Bawley Point, that it was too late to leave.The Rural Fire Service NSW warned those living in areas between Kioloa and North Durras, including Depot Beach, Pebbly Beach, Pretty Beach and Bawley Point, that it was too late to leave.
There is also a significant amount of smoke in the area.There is also a significant amount of smoke in the area.
“Fire activity increased over the evening due to strong westerly winds,” the Rural Fire Service said in an emergency warning.“Fire activity increased over the evening due to strong westerly winds,” the Rural Fire Service said in an emergency warning.
“Firefighters are working in the area to protect properties where possible. Seek shelter as the fire impacts. It is too late to leave.”“Firefighters are working in the area to protect properties where possible. Seek shelter as the fire impacts. It is too late to leave.”
Two million hectares of land have been burnt since July in more than 7,000 fires which have raged across NSW in the “most challenging bushfire season ever”.Two million hectares of land have been burnt since July in more than 7,000 fires which have raged across NSW in the “most challenging bushfire season ever”.
Six lives have been lost while 673 homes and 1,400 other buildings have been destroyed.Six lives have been lost while 673 homes and 1,400 other buildings have been destroyed.
Three “watch and act” alerts were also in place on Monday morning at Ruined Castle, south of Katoomba in the NSW Blue Mountains, and two in close proximity in the Lake Burragorang area.Three “watch and act” alerts were also in place on Monday morning at Ruined Castle, south of Katoomba in the NSW Blue Mountains, and two in close proximity in the Lake Burragorang area.
The fire at Ruined Castle was under control on Monday morning, but slowly burning in a northern direction towards Cliff Drive, at Katoomba’s southern edge. Those around Cliff Drive were told to monitor for spot fires.The fire at Ruined Castle was under control on Monday morning, but slowly burning in a northern direction towards Cliff Drive, at Katoomba’s southern edge. Those around Cliff Drive were told to monitor for spot fires.
A total fire ban was issued for Monday across the far north coast, Greater Hunter and New England regions due to forecast hot and windy conditions.A total fire ban was issued for Monday across the far north coast, Greater Hunter and New England regions due to forecast hot and windy conditions.
“While it’s expected to be cooler tomorrow, it’s going to be very windy in many areas,” the RFS tweeted.“While it’s expected to be cooler tomorrow, it’s going to be very windy in many areas,” the RFS tweeted.
“This will present challenging conditions for several days with so many fires.”“This will present challenging conditions for several days with so many fires.”
Air quality in southwest Sydney, meanwhile, was declared hazardous, with those suffering heart or lung problems recommended to stay indoors.Air quality in southwest Sydney, meanwhile, was declared hazardous, with those suffering heart or lung problems recommended to stay indoors.
Severe fire danger in Qld
Dry and windy conditions have pushed the fire danger rating to severe in parts of southern Queensland, as more than 50 fires burn across the state.
Brisbane meteorologist David Crock said the weather on Monday is a repeat of the conditions experienced four or five times since the start of the fire season in September.
“That combination of hot, dry and windy weather is the worst fire weather that we see, so the fire agencies and firefighters are certainly up against it today,” he said.
The severe fire danger warning is in place on Monday for the southeast coast, Wide Bay and Burnett region, Darling Downs and Granite Belt, Capricornia and Central Highlands and Coalfields.
Residents living in the vicinity of the most concerning bushfire, burning north of Toowoomba, have been told to prepare to leave their homes as conditions could get worse quickly.
High temperatures are expected in far north Queensland early this week before pushing south, bringing maximums of around 40C in areas like the Lockyer Valley and Scenic Rim by the end of the week.
The Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast could experience temperatures of 35C, while in Brisbane it could reach 37C on Friday.
Crock said fire dangers were expected to remain very high, possibly reaching severe again in some parts of southern Queensland for the rest of the week.
There is little sign of rain with the climate outlook suggesting drier than average conditions in December and probably into January as well, Crock said.
Support worker dies in Victoria
In Victoria a man was killed fighting a fire in the Gippsland region, authorities confirmed on Monday.In Victoria a man was killed fighting a fire in the Gippsland region, authorities confirmed on Monday.
The support worker died late Saturday at the fires near Gelantipy, chief fire officer for Forest Fire Management Victoria, Chris Hardman said.The support worker died late Saturday at the fires near Gelantipy, chief fire officer for Forest Fire Management Victoria, Chris Hardman said.
“Tragically, a man working in support of our firefighter activities near Gelantipy died late Saturday. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and workmates,” he said in a statement. “Tragically, a man working in support of our firefighter activities near Gelantipy died late Saturday. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and workmates,” he said in a statement.
Victoria Police were preparing a report for the coroner on Monday and WorkSafe was also investigating.Victoria Police were preparing a report for the coroner on Monday and WorkSafe was also investigating.
In Western Australia an Indigenous community in the state’s north was being threatened by a bushfire on Monday.In Western Australia an Indigenous community in the state’s north was being threatened by a bushfire on Monday.
A “watch and act” alert was issued for Coconut Wells north of Broome on Sunday and remained in place on Monday morning.A “watch and act” alert was issued for Coconut Wells north of Broome on Sunday and remained in place on Monday morning.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services said the cause of the fire, which has burnt 7,500 hectares, was not known.The Department of Fire and Emergency Services said the cause of the fire, which has burnt 7,500 hectares, was not known.
If you are in a bushfire-affected area stay tuned to your local emergency broadcaster. Full alerts can be found here for NSW and here for Queensland.If you are in a bushfire-affected area stay tuned to your local emergency broadcaster. Full alerts can be found here for NSW and here for Queensland.