Crews are struggling to control a fire burning west of Canberra, near the Kosciuszko National Park. The Dunns Road blaze is burning south of the Snowy Mountains Highway in the Ellerslie Range near Kunama and Laurel Hill.
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Landholders in the Snowy Mountains and Snowy Monaro have been warned to prepare for worsening conditions on Saturday.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries and the Local Land Services urged landholders in the region to activate their bush fire survival plan and to consider moving livestock off site.
Like much of the state, conditions are forecast to deteriorate on Saturday on the fire ground, Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Abrar Shabren said.
The blaze has the potential to start its own fire-generated thunderstorm, Mr Shabren said.
"There is an elevated fire danger for Saturday with a possible gusty thunderstorm as well," he said.
"It's quite dangerous because of new ignitions."
Erratic wind behaviour is forecast with both easterly and westerly winds to impact the fire ground in the coming days.
The fire was upgraded to emergency on Wednesday at 4:30pm. As of 9am on Tuesday, it was at watch and act.
NSW Rural Fire Service commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said on Tuesday the Dunns Road fire behaviour was increasing and spreading.
"We activated the messaging system as well but importantly because of the location, a lot of firefighters and personnel were getting in and doorknocking and visiting the residents that were likely to be impacted by that fire," he said.
"I think it's indicative, even under today's more mild conditions, compared to what we saw [Tuesday], we've still got very dynamic, volatile fire grounds that are spreading and being driven very quickly."
NSW Rural Fire Service deputy commissioner Rob Rogers said the fire had significant potential to cause damage to towns.
"It's burning not too far to the west of Batlow and we're obviously concerned about the impact on that town and days to come," he said.
Firefighters were working to slow the spread of the fire, which is more than 130,000 hectares in size. The fire, believed to have started by lightning strike, has been burning since Saturday afternoon about 50 kilometres west of the Brindabella and Namadgi national parks.
Advice from the RFS at 9am Thursday regarding the Dunns Road fire was:
Talbingo area
- Fire activity is easing in the area.
- Monitor conditions. Be alert for embers and spot fires.
Batlow and surrounding areas
- Monitor the changing conditions.
- Follow your bush fire survival plan, and know what you will do if the fire threatens.
- Follow the advice from firefighters in the area.
Kunama, Wondalga and surrounds
- The south westerly change is pushing the fire towards these areas.
- If your plan is to leave or you are not prepared, leave now towards Tumut before conditions become too dangerous.
- Activate your bush fire survival plan.
Tumbarumba Road, Tumbarumba township or Taradale Road
- Monitor the changing conditions.
- Follow your bush fire survival plan.
- Follow the advice from firefighters in the area.
- The Green Valley fire is burning south west of Tumbarumba and following the south westerly change, it will push the fire towards Tumbarumba.
Darlow near Yaven Creek Road and Ellerslie Road
- Monitor the changing conditions.
- Follow your bush fire survival plan, and know what you will do if the fire threatens.
- Follow the advice from firefighters in the area.
Areas west of Blowering Dam and Talbingo Dam
- Monitor conditions. Watch out for smoke and embers.
For more information visit NSW Rural Fire Service Fires Near Me.
Steve Evans
Steve Evans is a reporter on The Canberra Times. He's been a BBC correspondent in New York, London, Berlin and Seoul and the sole reporter/photographer/paper deliverer on The Glen Innes Examiner in country New South Wales. "All the jobs have been fascinating - and so it continues."
Steve Evans is a reporter on The Canberra Times. He's been a BBC correspondent in New York, London, Berlin and Seoul and the sole reporter/photographer/paper deliverer on The Glen Innes Examiner in country New South Wales. "All the jobs have been fascinating - and so it continues."
Lucy Bladen
Lucy Bladen has been a journalist at The Canberra Times since 2019. She is an ACT politics and health reporter. Email: l.bladen@canberratimes.com.au
Lucy Bladen has been a journalist at The Canberra Times since 2019. She is an ACT politics and health reporter. Email: l.bladen@canberratimes.com.au
