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Bushfires: toll of properties lost soars, with more dangerous weather ahead Bushfires: toll of properties lost soars, with more dangerous weather ahead
(about 1 hour later)
More than 300 properties in the lower Blue Mountains have been damaged or destroyed by bushfires, the NSW Rural Fire Service says. More than 300 properties in the lower Blue Mountains have been damaged or destroyed by bushfires, the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) says.
After assessing 95% of the fireground in Springwood and Winmalee the RFS has been able to establish that 193 properties have been destroyed and 109 have been damaged.After assessing 95% of the fireground in Springwood and Winmalee the RFS has been able to establish that 193 properties have been destroyed and 109 have been damaged.
That number could change following more investigations involving other fire-hit areas.
On Saturday, 83 fires were burning across the state including 19 uncontained blazes.On Saturday, 83 fires were burning across the state including 19 uncontained blazes.
RFS deputy commissioner Rob Rogers described Saturday's conditions as a "pause" before higher temperatures and increasing winds returned on Sunday. Emergency warnings were sent out to properties around Bell which were threatened by a large fire burning in Lithgow on the western side of the Blue Mountains.
The RFS said the blaze, which has burnt through 30,000 hectares, had intensified and residents were advised to take shelter.
"Fire activity has intensified in the Bell area," a spokesman said. "There's about 20 properties in the community of Bell which are under threat at the moment.
"We have upgraded it to an emergency warning and we're sending out emergency alert phone messages in that area right now."
The Defence Department has launched an investigation into whether the Lithgow fire was caused by training activity.
On Saturday Defence confirmed an investigation was under way into the fire that started on Wednesday, the same day explosive ordnance training was taking place at the Marrangaroo training area.
"Defence is investigating if the two events are linked," it said in a statement.
Elsewhere RFS deputy commissioner Rob Rogers described Saturday's conditions as a "pause" before higher temperatures and increasing winds returned on Sunday.
"It's just calmed down a little bit and obviously we're bracing ourselves for these worsening conditions," Rogers told ABC radio."It's just calmed down a little bit and obviously we're bracing ourselves for these worsening conditions," Rogers told ABC radio.
"What we have is a time for the crews to anticipate the weather coming ahead and try and get as much containment as possible and prevent that fire threatening major population centres when we get worse weather," he said."What we have is a time for the crews to anticipate the weather coming ahead and try and get as much containment as possible and prevent that fire threatening major population centres when we get worse weather," he said.
On Saturday NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell went to the central coast for a briefing from RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons at the Wyong command centre. NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell, visiting the central coast on Saturday, said firefighters had done "an extraordinary job".
O'Farrell received a briefing from RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons and local firefighters before flying over fire-affected country in the Port Stephens area.
Firefighters in the area are continuing to battle an out of control bushfire near Wyong which has so far destroyed four properties.
The fire has been downgraded from an emergency warning to a "watch and act" as temperatures in the region cooled on Saturday.
The Wyong fire has burnt more than 2500 hectares, damaged historic buildings in Catherine Hill Bay and caused the death of a 63-year-old man who suffered a heart attack defending his home in Lake Munmorah.The Wyong fire has burnt more than 2500 hectares, damaged historic buildings in Catherine Hill Bay and caused the death of a 63-year-old man who suffered a heart attack defending his home in Lake Munmorah.
The fire has been downgraded from an emergency warning to a "watch and act" and is being controlled, the RFS said. O'Farrell described the actions of two girls who allegedly lit a grass fire in Sydney on Friday as "sheer stupidity".
The threat to properties in north Chain Valley Bay, Gwandalan and Summerland Point has reduced but a threat remains to properties in Lake Munmorah. Police arrested and questioned the girls, aged 12 and 13, after members of the public reported them for allegedly trying to start a fire in a reserve in western Sydney.
"It is absolutely disappointing that we have a report of two people allegedly seeking to light fires," O'Farrell told reporters at Wyong RFS headquarters.
"But what's great about this incident is that the public has done exactly what the authorities want them to do, they've seen suspicious activity and rung police or RFS.
On Friday a large fire was still out of control in the NSW southern highlands, but several other blazes in the area were brought under control.On Friday a large fire was still out of control in the NSW southern highlands, but several other blazes in the area were brought under control.
The 8100 hectare fire was listed at the "watch and act" alert level on Friday evening and was ripping through bush near Balmoral, Yanderra, Bargo, Pheasants Nest and Wilton.The 8100 hectare fire was listed at the "watch and act" alert level on Friday evening and was ripping through bush near Balmoral, Yanderra, Bargo, Pheasants Nest and Wilton.
Houses have been destroyed and damaged in the area, but it's unclear how many have been lost. On Friday the Insurance Council of Australia said there had already been 550 claims totalling $30m, with the number expected to rise sharply.Houses have been destroyed and damaged in the area, but it's unclear how many have been lost. On Friday the Insurance Council of Australia said there had already been 550 claims totalling $30m, with the number expected to rise sharply.
Five other smaller fires – at Camden, Mittagong, Yerrinbool and two at Leppington – were brought under control and had been giving the lowest alert level, "advice," the RFS said.Five other smaller fires – at Camden, Mittagong, Yerrinbool and two at Leppington – were brought under control and had been giving the lowest alert level, "advice," the RFS said.
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