New South Wales bushfire crews brace for another difficult day

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/21/bushfire-crews-brace-difficult-day-in-new-south-wales

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Fire crews are bracing for another "difficult day" as more than 80 bushfires burn across New South Wales.

A total fire ban is in place across northern parts of the state on Tuesday, including in Narrabri, Gunnedah and Inverell.

While all fires have been downgraded to a watch-and-act alert, NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) deputy commissioner Rob Rogers says some patches are causing concern.

Of most concern is the fire at Rocky Glen near Coonabarabran in the state's north-west, which sparked an emergency warning on Monday afternoon.

The RFS said the fire had slowed considerably but that people should remain vigilant.

Fires near Oberon, Bathurst and Wagga Wagga were also of concern.

"There was good work being done on most of those fires overnight," Rogers told Network Seven.

"Unfortunately, in the north of the state we are seeing total fire bans but even in the southern part of the state we are seeing some elevated temperatures and some stronger winds today so we are quite concerned about those fires.

"After today, conditions should ease a little bit but I think we have another difficult day today."

Eighty-six fires are burning, 22 of which are not contained.

Overnight, firefighters had a lucky escape when one of their trucks caught alight in a sudden wind change near Moree in NSW's north.

Crews were protecting properties when the wind blew a fast-moving grass fire towards a truck parked between homes and the fire front.

"The truck was engulfed in a matter of seconds, with firefighters quickly abandoning their vehicle and seeking refuge nearby from the fire," commissioner Greg Mullins of Fire and Rescue NSW said on Monday night.

"Trucks and equipment can be replaced but people cannot and I am thankful that no one has been injured in this incident."