Kosciuszko National Park’s Black Jack fire tower captured this photo of smoke from a bushfire burning near the NSW-Victorian border. Photo: NSW RFS.
UPDATE, 3:40 pm – Locals and visitors to the Snowy Mountains have been told not to panic if they spot thick smoke billowing from a bushfire across the border.
The NSW Rural Fire Service has advised that a large bushfire between Corryong and Tallangatta near the Victoria-NSW border has generated its own thunderstorm.
“Lightning from this storm has been detected just west of Khancoban and smoke from the fire is drifting in an easterly direction towards Jindabyne and Cooma,” a statement outlined.
Public liaison officer Marty Webster said while things were “highly charged” due to the prolonged heat, people should not panic about the current conditions.
“People [in southeastern NSW] are carrying a lot of trauma from the 2019/20 bushfires,” he said.
“We’ve since had a run of fairly benign summers … it’s [now] feeling like a regular fire season.”
Total fire bans have been announced for four NSW areas for Friday, 9 January. Photo: NSW RFS.
A cold front is going to start making its way across the region tomorrow (Friday, 9 January), but associated strong winds are expected to mainly impact Victoria.
“The heat’s going to make it really uncomfortable for firefighters, and for everyone … but it’s not really what tends to drive fires under these conditions,” Mr Webster said.
“I’d tell people to be alert rather than alarmed … and calmly review their bushfire survival plans.”
The Brassknocker Fire Trail has grown slightly, with focus of firefighters there on making the conditions more ideal for containment.
“We’re brushing up and preparing existing fire trails to make sure they’re user-friendly for firefighters,” Mr Webster said.
“The heavy terrain [where the bushfire is located] is not particularly user-friendly to heavy machinery or fire trucks … so we’re preparing control lines and on slowing the fire down with the remote area fire teams.”
Preparations include making sure no trees limbs have fallen onto the existing trails, and to see if any need widening to allow heavy machinery through.
Total fire bans will be in place for the Eastern and Southern Riverina, Southern Slopes and Monaro Alpine fire danger areas on Friday (9 January).
People can check if their bushfire survival plan is adequate by downloading the NSW RFS guide. Report all unattended fires to Triple Zero (000).
The Brassknocker Fire Trail bushfire has burned 19-hectares already. Photo: NSW RFS.
UPDATE: 1 pm – The NSW Rural Fire Service has advised southern Eurobodalla and northern Bega Valley residents are likely to see smoke from the Wadbilliga National Park bushfire for several days.
The Brassknocker Fire Trail blaze currently doesn’t pose any risk to life or property at this stage, with the community advised to stay informed and review their bushfire survival plans.
“The fire is burning in a remote location that is not accessible to vehicles, so the current focus is on aerial firefighting and preparing containment strategies,” a NSW RFS statement outlined.
“Heavy machinery has been deployed to prepare a number of contingency plans to give firefighters a range of options to keep this fire as small as possible.”
Along with the smoke, residents will also notice an increase in aircraft activity and heavy machinery movements over the coming days.
Thursday, 8 January, 11:20 am – Dry lightning is believed to have ignited a blaze that has already burned 19-hectares of the Wadbilliga National Park, about 20 km north-west of Cobargo.
A NSW Rural Fire Service statement outlined the fire was reported to authorities on Wednesday (7 January) afternoon.
“The fire is burning in inaccessible terrain and crews are being supported by several waterbombing aircraft to slow the spread of the fire,” it stated.
“Further lightning storms are expected to move through southern parts of NSW today. With very hot and windy weather forecast across much of NSW in coming days, it is important to check your property and report all new, unattended fires to Triple Zero (000) immediately.”
The fire danger rating for today (Thursday, 8 January) and Friday is currently listed as high.
More to come.
Original Article published by Claire Fenwicke on About Regional.
