This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/20/nsw-bushfires-respite-worse-conditions-expected

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
NSW bushfires: fears conditions will soon be far worse than expected NSW bushfires: fears conditions will soon be far worse than expected
(35 minutes later)
A state of emergency has been declared to tackle the NSW bushfires, with worse weather conditions on the way and with forced evacuations likely across many areas of the Blue Mountains, outside Sydney. A state of emergency has been declared to tackle the NSW bushfires, with worse weather conditions on the way and forced evacuations likely across many areas of the Blue Mountains, outside Sydney.
Rural Fire Services (RFS) commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said even built-up areas such as Leura and Katoomba could be in the firing line. He said there were already indications the fire at Mount Victoria could threaten homes at Blackheath. Rural Fire Service (RFS) commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons wrote to the premier, Barry O'Farrell, on Sunday requesting he declare a state of emergency.
"Conditions are going to be far more concerning over the current days than was otherwise expected," he said, adding these were the worst conditions seen since the 1960s. O'Farrell, who signed the order, said there were concerns weather conditions would deteriorate significantly over the next few days.
"They are in a league of their own," he said. Humidity is set to drop and "we are likely to see deteriorating conditions starting this afternoon", but the bad weather would intensify through Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. "There is potential for a significant and widespread danger to life and property across the state," O'Farrell said in a statement.
"This is not an action taken lightly by either the commissioner, the minister or myself, but it's important the Rural Fire Service and other emergency services have the powers and the resources they need to combat this threat.
"We are planning for the worst but hoping for the best," he said.
The declaration triggers a range of measures, including allowing emergency services to direct the public to evacuate or to order power and gas supplies be shut off.
Earlier Fitzsimmons said the situation in the Blue Mountains was so severe that even built-up areas such as Leura and Katoomba could be in the firing line. He said there were indications the fire at Mount Victoria could threaten homes at Blackheath.
"Conditions are going to be far more concerning over the current days than was otherwise expected," he said. Firefighters were experiencing the worst conditions seen since the 1960s.
"They are in a league of their own," he said. Humidity was set to drop on Sunday night and the bad weather would intensify through Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Residents of the township of Bell were warned to evacuate on Sunday morning as the huge fire between Lithgow and the Blue Mountains was upgraded to emergency status.Residents of the township of Bell were warned to evacuate on Sunday morning as the huge fire between Lithgow and the Blue Mountains was upgraded to emergency status.
Anyone in the area who was unprepared to defend their property should leave immediately and head west to the evacuation centre at Lithgow, the RFS said.Anyone in the area who was unprepared to defend their property should leave immediately and head west to the evacuation centre at Lithgow, the RFS said.
People living in Mount Tomah and Berambing were told to get out urgently shortly before 2pm on Sunday and go to Richmond.People living in Mount Tomah and Berambing were told to get out urgently shortly before 2pm on Sunday and go to Richmond.
Others, such as those in Bilpin Village, could choose to stay but could be cut off from power and telecommunication for several days. People in Mount Irvine and Mount Wilson were told it was too late to leave. Others, such as those in Bilpin Village, could choose to stay but risked being cut off from power and telecommunication for several days. People in Mount Irvine and Mount Wilson were told it was too late to leave.
A grim-faced premier Barry O'Farrell warned residents across the state to brace for the possibility of mass evacuations. O'Farrell grimly warned residents across the state to brace for the possibility of mass evacuations.
"The state's in for challenging days ahead," he told reporters at RFS headquarters on Sunday."The state's in for challenging days ahead," he told reporters at RFS headquarters on Sunday.
The RFS says 208 homes have already been destroyed in the bushfires that have been raging across the state since Thursday, and more than 60 fires continue to burn. The RFS said 208 homes had been destroyed in the bushfires that have been raging across the state since Thursday, and more than 60 fires were still burning.
The premier said hot, dry conditions were expected to sweep over populated areas from Sunday afternoon. The premier said hard choices were ahead in the hot, dry conditions.
"That will involve decisions being made about asking people, particularly in fringe areas, to leave their homes for their safety," he said."That will involve decisions being made about asking people, particularly in fringe areas, to leave their homes for their safety," he said.
"Undoubtedly, that will cause distress to those people and it may cause wider controversy. But it's clear that at times like this it's better to be safe than sorry.""Undoubtedly, that will cause distress to those people and it may cause wider controversy. But it's clear that at times like this it's better to be safe than sorry."
NSW police assistant commissioner Alan Clarke has urged people in bushfire-affected areas to heed directions from emergency services. NSW police assistant commissioner Alan Clarke urged people in bushfire-affected areas to heed directions from emergency services.
He said anyone who refused an order to evacuate would be risking their lives, and those of the men and women manning roadblocks and knocking on doors.He said anyone who refused an order to evacuate would be risking their lives, and those of the men and women manning roadblocks and knocking on doors.
"These are extraordinary circumstances," Clarke said. "In the past, we've been able to say 'leave if you can, shelter in place'. Sometimes the message now in these areas will be, 'you must be out'.""These are extraordinary circumstances," Clarke said. "In the past, we've been able to say 'leave if you can, shelter in place'. Sometimes the message now in these areas will be, 'you must be out'."
The main areas of concern are the Blue Mountains and the Hawkesbury, but the RFS continues to monitor a blaze at Balmoral, in the southern highlands, which remains at "watch and act" level. The main areas of concern on Sunday were the Blue Mountains and the Hawkesbury, but the RFS continued to monitor a blaze at Balmoral, in the southern highlands, which was at "watch and act" level.
Fitzsimmons said even "places like the Illawarra" could be hit.Fitzsimmons said even "places like the Illawarra" could be hit.
Conditions eased temporarily on Saturday night, allowing the RFS to downgrade bushfires at Springwood and Mount Victoria, as well as the Balmoral bushfire in the southern highlands, to a "watch and act" level. A total fire ban is in place across Sydney, the Hunter, Shoalhaven, the central ranges and the Illawarra.
A total fire ban is now in place across Sydney, the Hunter, Shoalhaven, the central ranges and the Illawarra.
Fitzsimmons stressed his concerns about the weather conditions to come.
"I'm increasingly concerned about the potential for significant fire runs and consequential damage if the weather conditions materialise like they're indicating they could over this week," he told the Seven Network.
About 200 firefighters have travelled to the firegrounds from interstate and that number could be increased.About 200 firefighters have travelled to the firegrounds from interstate and that number could be increased.
"We're looking at bolstering that number ... particularly in light of what's expected to be some pretty deteriorating, awful conditions over the coming days," Fitzsimmons said."We're looking at bolstering that number ... particularly in light of what's expected to be some pretty deteriorating, awful conditions over the coming days," Fitzsimmons said.
He paid tribute to the firefighters and volunteers who have worked to protect lives and homes from the blazes that broke out on Thursday.He paid tribute to the firefighters and volunteers who have worked to protect lives and homes from the blazes that broke out on Thursday.
"[We've got] men and women doing some pretty extraordinary work. Time and time again you're hearing extraordinary stories of what they were being confronted with, decisions and actions that they took," he said."[We've got] men and women doing some pretty extraordinary work. Time and time again you're hearing extraordinary stories of what they were being confronted with, decisions and actions that they took," he said.
"They've all got each other's back and right at front of mind, they're trying to do all they can for their local communities.""They've all got each other's back and right at front of mind, they're trying to do all they can for their local communities."
Motorists have been urged to avoid all bushfire-affected areas and drive with extreme caution in areas that are experiencing heavy smoke and poor visibility.
Two girls were charged on Saturday with lighting a grass fire in western Sydney.
Police allege the girls – aged 12 and 13 – were spotted lighting fires in a reserve at Bonnyrigg on Friday.
Officers went to the reserve and saw two girls running away. A short time later, two girls were arrested at a nearby business and questioned at Fairfield police station.
They were released pending further inquiries before being charged on Saturday with causing or setting fire to property.
They are due to appear in the children's court on 4 December.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.