Residents in Canberra's east and parts of Queanbeyan have been told it is too late to leave as two fires have merged.
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The Beard Fire - consisting of the Pialligo and NSW-ACT border fires - was burning at emergency level at 2.20pm on Thursday afternoon. It has burned 278 hectares.
The fire, which had been downgraded overnight, was taken back to an emergency warning level shortly before noon on Thursday and remained at that level at 2pm.
People in Beard, Oaks Estate and West Queanbeyan including Crestwood are being warned to seek shelter immediately, as the fire is travelling in an easterly direction. The ESA was listing it as being at Nimrod Road and Railway Street in Oaks Estate.
"It is now too late to leave. If you are not in the area, do not return. A bushfire is approaching Beard, Oaks Estate and West Queanbeyan including Crestwood," the ESA said in a statement.
"The fire may pose a threat to all lives directly in its path. People in these suburbs are in danger and need to seek immediate shelter as the fire approaches. Driving now is extremely dangerous and potentially deadly.
"People in streets north of Uriarra Road should LEAVE NOW towards David Campese Oval if safe to do so. If you are not currently in the affected area, do not enter the area.
"Fire crews may not be able to protect you and your property. Do not expect a firefighter at your door: SEEK SHELTER NOW.
"People in the area will be affected by thick smoke and embers, which will reduce visibility and air quality. As the fire approaches, it will be difficult for you to see, hear and breathe. You will experience intense heat, darkness and loud noise.
At 1:45pm, high voltage power poles were being impacted near Oaks Estate.
The fire had caused disruptions to rail and air travel.
All passenger flights in and out of Canberra airports have been halted because of the fire.
Passengers have been advised to contact their airline for the latest situation.
The Queanbeyan Railway Station is located in the evacuation area as trains between Sydney and Canberra were set for disruption.
Earlier in the day, the 11:05am train from Sydney arrived as scheduled.
Liz Carslund waited for her daughter, Tina to arrive from Sydney. She was slightly worried the train could possibly be halted as smoke and dust was kicked up from the fire.
Shortly after the train arrived, fire activity picked up and the fire was quickly upgraded.
"Call Triple Zero (000) if your life is under immediate threat."
The ESA advises people to:
- Switch off the gas and air-conditioning
- Close windows and doors, sealing the gaps under doors and screens with wet towels to keep smoke out of the house
- Fill containers such as your bath, sinks, and buckets with water so you have access to drinking and firefighting water
- Identify a safe spot to shelter in, which should be a place with more than one exit, away from windows and doors. The safest spot is the place that will keep you furthest away from the intense heat from the fire
- Be aware of the location of the fire as it passes your house. Once the fire has passed, use your water supplies to put out spot fires
- Listen to local radio
The fire is burning during a total fire ban. There is also a severe weather warning for the ACT and region, for damaging winds with peak gusts of up to 90km/h expected.
Meanwhile, a separate fire is burning close by near Pialligo Road.
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Earlier, crews had been confident they would be able to continue to contain the fire, the cause of which is being investigated by ACT Policing and the ACT Emergency Services Agency.
It broke out in the Pialligo Redwood Forest near Canberra Airport about 4.15pm on Wednesday.
ACT ESA incident controller Matthew Mavity said an airport control tower spotted the fire shortly after it broke out and the airport's fire crew had been dispatched immediately.
The fire was upgraded to watch and act at 4.50pm with residents in Pialligo, Brindabella Park, Beard, Oaks Estate and surrounding areas warned to activate their bushfire survival plans. Nearby roads were closed, with police roadblocks in place.
It was upgraded again to emergency level at 5.20pm after it crossed the Molonglo River. Residents in Beard and Oaks Estate were warned to leave immediately.
"Properties are under threat - leave now if you are able to," the alert said.
At 5.40pm, residents were warned it was too late to leave and to seek shelter immediately.
The fire was downgraded to advice level at 7.15pm, after being brought under control.
As of 8.30pm, it had burnt out nearly 150 hectares. No homes were damaged although it came within metres of the water treatment works substation.
"We were able to contain it there," Mr Mavity said.
Mr Mavity credited "early detection and lots of units" for being able to contain the fire so rapidly.
However, he acknowledged: "It did escalate very quickly."
The fire was fueled by dry African lovegrass and fanned by north-westerly winds.
While fire conditions are expected to be challenging on Thursday, Mr Mavity said he had the resources to deal with the threat.
A total fire ban has been declared for Thursday.
Witness accounts show just how fast the fire was moving - and how quickly crews moved to combat it.
Firas Ajaj arrived at his warehouse at Beard at 4.30pm and saw the smoke. Fifteen minutes later he saw flames and was cut off from leaving.
"It spread fast," Mr Ajaj said.
"There are some strong winds."
While there was only helicopter waterbombing to begin with, there were five within less than 10 minutes, Mr Ajaj said.
Coincidentally, Mr Ajaj had offered up his warehouse to a charity collecting goods for the victims of the South Coast bushfires.
The fire came two days after the city was battered by a ferocious hail storm. The city has also, until recently, been covered in smoke haze from the blazes that have devastated the country over recent months.
