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Canberra bushfire upgraded to emergency level as heatwave bears down on capital Residents in village south of Canberra told to seek shelter as bushfire approaches
(about 2 hours later)
Residents told to leave immediately as fire threatens properties south of the capital on Tuesday The 2,581 hectare bushfire is burning in rugged high country in the ACT’s south
A bushfire burning across more than 2,500-hectares in Canberra’s Namadgi national park was upgraded to emergency level on Tuesday, with people nearby told to leave the area immediately and not return. Authorities have told residents of the village of Tharwa to shelter in the face of an approaching 2,581 hectare bushfire in the Australian Capital Territory’s rugged high country.
The blaze was threatening properties on Boboyan, Apollo and Top Naas roads. An emergency warning was issued by the ACT emergency services agency on Tuesday at 4pm telling those in Tharwa, a small village in the ACT’s south, to evacuate. The village has a population of about 80.
“Leaving immediately is the safest option. Soon it will be too dangerous to drive,” the ACT Emergency Services Agency said in a statement. But the advice was changed at 4.30pm to advise those in Tharwa that it was now too late to leave and to seek shelter immediately.
“The fire may pose a threat to all lives directly in its path.” “The fire may pose a threat to all lives directly in its path,” the advice said. “People in these suburbs are in danger and need to seek immediate shelter as the fire approaches.”
Beyond those three roads, there was no broader threat to properties in Tharwa or Canberra suburbs. The fire in Namadgi national park is also threatening properties in rural areas on Boboyan, Apollo and Top Naas roads.
“Properties are under threat – leave now if you are able to – firefighters are on scene,” the ESA said. Residents in those areas are also being told it is too late to leave.
“Properties may be impacted by embers well ahead of the fire causing spot fires. “The fire may pose a threat to all lives directly in its path,” the alert said. “People in these suburbs are in danger and need to seek immediate shelter as the fire approaches.”
“Conditions are very dangerous. Firefighters may be unable to prevent fire reaching your property. You should not expect a firefighter at your door.” Tharwa is about 10 minutes drive from Canberra’s southernmost suburb, Banks.
Residents in Banks and the neighbouring Conder, Gordon, and Calwell were told to monitor the situation closely.
Emergency services battled the fire overnight, with 19 firefighting units, six helicopters and a large air tanker battling the out-of-control fire in Orroral Valley.Emergency services battled the fire overnight, with 19 firefighting units, six helicopters and a large air tanker battling the out-of-control fire in Orroral Valley.
There were also fears for the site – now only concrete remains – of the former Honeysuckle Creek tracking station, which in July 1969 captured the footage of the first moon landing.There were also fears for the site – now only concrete remains – of the former Honeysuckle Creek tracking station, which in July 1969 captured the footage of the first moon landing.
Landholders and residents were told to activate their bushfire plans, with the Exhibition Park showground in Canberra being opened for horses. The fire was growing by 400 hectares every hour on Tuesday.
The ACT was also experiencing low humidity with moderate winds and a total fire ban remained in place. Emergency services were expecting wind gusts of up to 40km/h on Tuesday afternoon and predicted erratic fire behaviour until 9pm.
Landholders and residents were told to activate their bushfire plans, with the Exhibition Park showground in Canberra being opened for horses. An evacuation centre has also been opened at Erindale College in Wanniassa, a suburb in Canberra’s south.
Firefighters were expecting a challenging seven to 10 days, as a heatwave bore down on the nation’s capital.Firefighters were expecting a challenging seven to 10 days, as a heatwave bore down on the nation’s capital.
Authorities warned the situation could get worse with hot and slightly windy conditions fanning the blaze.Authorities warned the situation could get worse with hot and slightly windy conditions fanning the blaze.
Chief minister Andrew Barr said he knew residents in the south and in Tharwa would be “anxious” about the situation.
“We know the next few days are going to be uncomfortable, with extreme heat and smoke haze from the fire continuing to impact across the territory,” Barr said at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.
“Canberrans can help by looking out for one another, particularly the vulnerable and elderly in our community.”
Spot fires broke out 5km east from the main fire as the larger blaze headed south-east.Spot fires broke out 5km east from the main fire as the larger blaze headed south-east.
Canberrans woke to smoke haze on Tuesday morning after it reached the capital late on Monday night.Canberrans woke to smoke haze on Tuesday morning after it reached the capital late on Monday night.
Defence and State Emergency Services personnel were doorknocking areas near the fire to warn residents.Defence and State Emergency Services personnel were doorknocking areas near the fire to warn residents.
The ACT Emergency Services Agency declared a total fire ban until midnight on Friday.The ACT Emergency Services Agency declared a total fire ban until midnight on Friday.
Georgeina Whelan, the ACT Emergency Services Agency commissioner, said on Monday evening the territory would face a “tough seven to 10 days” due to a “challenging” weather forecast.Georgeina Whelan, the ACT Emergency Services Agency commissioner, said on Monday evening the territory would face a “tough seven to 10 days” due to a “challenging” weather forecast.
The mercury is tipped to hit 35C on Tuesday, with winds becoming westerly 20km/h to 30km/h in the morning and shifting to south-easterly later in the day.The mercury is tipped to hit 35C on Tuesday, with winds becoming westerly 20km/h to 30km/h in the morning and shifting to south-easterly later in the day.
On Tuesday the NSW Rural Fire Service said a further 25 homes had been lost to bushfires in the state, taking the total number of losses this season to almost 2,400.On Tuesday the NSW Rural Fire Service said a further 25 homes had been lost to bushfires in the state, taking the total number of losses this season to almost 2,400.
Assessments carried out since Friday revealed the losses, but showed almost 300 homes had been saved in the most recent blazes.Assessments carried out since Friday revealed the losses, but showed almost 300 homes had been saved in the most recent blazes.
Fire danger was very high in the central and southeast regions of NSW on Tuesday, with the southern ranges under a total fire ban.Fire danger was very high in the central and southeast regions of NSW on Tuesday, with the southern ranges under a total fire ban.
“Worsening conditions are forecast for later in the week so prepare now,” the fire service said on Twitter.“Worsening conditions are forecast for later in the week so prepare now,” the fire service said on Twitter.