In every direction around Sydney tonight, bushfires are either destroying homes or forcing anxious residents to pack up and run
A large bush fire burns through bush near the Williamtown Airport near Newcastle / Picture: John Grainger Source: Supplied
Sydney pictured covered in smoke as bushfires rage. Source: News Limited
A fire map image supplied by NSW Rural Fire Service of the Lithgow bushfire. Picture: RFS website Source: Supplied
HUNDREDS of homes are feared destroyed and Premier Barry O'Farrell believes it will be a miracle if no lives are lost in the most grave bushfire crisis to hit the state in a decade. While the extent of the devastation was unclear on Thursday night, one of the worst-hit areas was Springwood, in the Blue Mountains, where up to 30 homes were known to be lost.
But when the ashes settle, the number of destroyed or damaged properties across the state is expected to be much worse.
Elsewhere, thousands of firefighters were struggling against around 100 blazes across the state - on the Central Coast and further north, the Southern Highlands and the south coast.
It was too soon to estimate how many properties had been lost, but Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons predicted: "we'll be counting properties in the dozens, if not the hundreds." Premier Barry O'Farrell and Mr Fitzsimmons told reporters the public should brace for widespread destruction.
"It will take some days until we see the end of these fires," Mr O'Farrell warned.
"I suspect that if we get through that without the loss of life we should thank God for miracles."
Mr Fitzsimmons said firefighters faced the worst of conditions. "This is as bad as it gets," he said.
THE BLUE MOUNTAINS TURNED BLACK
PEOPLE FLEE AS FIRES RUN WILD AND HOT
GREENS PLAY POLITICS AS HOMES BURN
HOMES LOST AS SPRINGWOOD, WINMALEE HIT
Premier Barry O'Farrell at the Rural Fire Service HQ / Picture: Twitter Source: Supplied
RFS MAP OF CURRENT FIRE EVENTS
The smoke from the bushfires sits above the city of Sydney on a hot day with extreme winds / Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: News Limited
Nasa image of the West Sydney Bushfires from Twitter Source: Supplied
While St Columba's students were kept in their school, St Thomas Aquinas School was evacuated.
About 600 kids from several schools were bussed to the Springwood Sports Club on Thursday evening.
Many have since left with parents but a lot won't be able to return to their homes, the ABC reports.
A 2000-hectare bushfire at Muswellbrook that's out of control was at 8.50pm (AEDT) threatening properties.
Residents have been advised to leave the area after the "watch and act" alert was upgraded to an "emergency warning."
Bushfire at Springwood in the Blue Mountains. Source: News Limited
"Firefighters are undertaking property protection under difficult, dangerous and erratic weather conditions," the RFS says on its website.
A fire at North Doyalson has been downgraded from an "emergency warning" alert level to a "watch and act."
RFS Deputy Commissioner Rob Rogers said it was one of the worst days he'd seen.
"It's probably the most serious fire risk we've faced since the early 2000s," he said.
For most of the day there were six fires at "emergency warning" level, meaning homes were at risk and residents were being asked to consider fleeing.
Before 6pm, a cool change brought temperatures down from the mid-30s to the mid-teens.
But it also created new chaos, swinging fire fronts around and pushing blazes into new areas.
There were unconfirmed reports of properties being lost at North Doyalson, on the Central Coast; at Lithgow; at Yanderra and Balmoral, in the Southern Highlands; and in Port Stephens, where a fire has forced the closure of Newcastle Airport.
At least two firefighters were injured, with one man sent to Sydney's Concord Hospital with burns to his face.
The fires created traffic chaos around Sydney, with a 20km queue on the Hume Highway for city-bound traffic.
All northbound lanes on the highway were reopened about 9.45pm (AEST), the Transport Management Centre said.
Only one southbound lane is opened between Wilton and Mittagong and the TMC is warning drivers to expect significant delays. The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has formally declared a "catastrophe" for affected areas.
ICA CEO Rob Whelan said the group expects to have a better idea of the damage by the weekend, but added that insurers were ready to take claims.
RFS Fire fighters try to control a busfire on the Mariah River road between Port Macquarie and Crescent Head Source: News Limited
A large bush fire burns through bush near the Williamtown Airport / Picture: John Grainger Source: News Limited
From earlier:
NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell says if no one was killed in today's bushfires it would be a miracle.
"I suspect if we get through that without the loss of life we should thank God for miracles," Mr O'Farrell said. "If you can avoid going home (from the city) do so".
It's feared more than 100 properties could be lost as NSW experiences its gravest bushfire emergency in a decade.
Winds that fanned about 100 fires across NSW started to change late in the afternoon, putting new communities at risk as fires are pushed in new directions.
Of the 100 fires, about 40 were uncontained at 5.30pm.
Blue Mountains mayor Mark Greenhill said he prays for no loss of life.
"We have lost a significant number of homes. That is a terrible loss."
He said he did not know how many homes had been lost and did not want to speculate.
"People should have fire plans. The most important thing people can do now is follow instructions, heed their instructions.
Firefighters battled valiantly to try and save homes around Springwood and Winmalee in the Blue Mountains. Source: News Limited
Firefighters from the ACT are on their way to help hard-pressed colleagues fighting disastrous bushfires in NSW.
The ACT Rural Fire Service said it had received a request for help from the NSW Rural Fire Service.
It's deploying 13 ACTRFS units, made up of 10 fire appliances and three command vehicles, to assist in the Sydney basin.
The smoke from the bushfires sits above the city / Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: News Limited
Two strike teams, each with 25 firefighters comprising volunteers from the Parks Brigade, departed Canberra at 5.30pm (AEDT) for a deployment of up to five days.
Meanwhile Year 12 students have been warned not to risk their lives for exams.
Thick smoke billows for the massive fire front bearing down on Springwood and Yellow Rock in the Blue Mountains. Picture Gregg Porteous Source: News Limited
"I have heard lots of children, very distressed in these schools, most importantly, they were safe, school buses assist in getting these children back to their mums and dads," RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons tells reporters
Channel Nine footage of Bushfires in NSW. Source: Supplied
Barry O'Farrell: "Year 12 are sitting HSC exams. Don't put yourself in danger to attend the exams tomorrow. It's a difficult time for HSC students. Relax the board of studies will look after you."
Between 20 and 30 homes have been destroyed in Springwood, in the Blue Mountains and many more are under threat.
Fire takes hold of a refridgeration factory in Lithgow. Source: News Limited
There are also unconfirmed reports of properties being lost at North Doyalson, on the Central Coast; at Lithgow; at Yanderra and Balmoral, in the Southern Highlands; and in Port Stephens, where a fire is burning near Newcastle Airport which has been closed.
"If we get through today losing less than 100 homes, we'll have been very lucky," Rural Fire Service spokesman Anthony Clark said.
Sydney pictured covered in smoke after bushfires rage in the South and West. Commuters film the smoke cloud blocking out the sun on their way home at Central Station. Source: News Limited
RFS Deputy Commissioner Rob Rogers said it had been a nightmare day.
"It's probably the most serious fire risk we've faced since the early 2000s," he told ABC Radio.
With multiple fires in the Blue Mountains area, police asked the public to postpone non-essential travel in order to keep the roads clear for firefighters.
Residents in the Springwood, Yellow Rock, Winmalee, Emu Heights, Mt Riverview and Castlereagh were told to take shelter and protect themselves from the radiant heat.
Fire burnt out this refridgeration factory in Lithgow. Source: News Limited
Some firefighters have suffered injuries, including one who's been taken to hospital with burns.
A southwesterly change moved through Mittagong around 4pm, bringing wind gusts of up to 90km/h.
It would move through Sydney during the early evening.
"It's coming through from the southwest," Mr Clark said.
"So communities to the north of some of these fires are now being affected."
An emergency warning has been issued for a fire at Ruttleys Road at North Doyalson, on the Central Coast.
A refridgeration factory in Lithgow was destroyed by the blaze. Source: News Limited
"There are unconfirmed reports of (one or two) properties being destroyed there," the RFS spokesman said.
In the Southern Highlands, communities around Bargo were warned to expect large fires, ember attacks and smoke from about 5pm as the change moved through.
Residents advised to evacuate to Bargo earlier in the day were being told to avoid the area.
Elsewhere in NSW, fires of grave concern to authorities are burning at Leppington, near Camden, west of Sydney, at South Nowra, on the south coast, and at Muswellbrook, in the Hunter Valley.
Earlier a firestorm tore through the low Blue Mountains suburbs of Winmalee, Springvale and Yellow Rock, wiping out entire streets and forcing residents to flee to the relative safety of local schools, shopping strips and a golf course.
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The fire is now threatening suburbs around Penrith after flames leapt across the Nepean River and put homes at Castlereagh and Emu Plains at risk with ash from the fires reaching the east coast.
There are also unconfirmed reports of homes being destroyed at Lithgow and Mt Victoria, with fire crews battling an out-of-control blazes on two fronts, with one pushing east towards Mt Wilson, with fire crews holding grave fears for the safety of residents in the remote suburb.
Smoke covers the sun in Sydney during several large bushfires in the West. Source: News Limited
Properties have also been reportedly lost at Yanderra and Balmoral in the Southern Highlands.
Joe Moore, who lost his home in Springwood, told Sky News from the Springwood Country Club which is acting as an evacuation centre, it was his "dream home" that was lost in the perfect storm.
● 40 homes destroyed in Springwood
● NSW commissioner: Worst since 2000s
● 80 fires raging across NSW, 90kph winds
● Pacific Highway, Williamstown Airport, near Newcastle, closed
● Skies across Sydney blood red
The smoke from the bushfires sits above the city of Sydney on a hot day with extreme winds in October. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: News Limited
"A big fire came up with 100km an hour winds, it got out of hand, and it's nearly the perfect storm, we have 2 months of high winds, seven years of debris, there is plenty of fuel on the ground and now we have a fire out of control," he said.
"I was on the phone to my son 15 minutes ago and heard the firies yelled 'We can't save your house Keiren, get out, now. We had already lost two before. As far as I know, they have given up on the house, yes. It was our dream home, "People have been told to evacuate and come to golf club. it's pretty horrific and the winds are still going, I think this might be the worst fires we have seen.
WATCH from the ground as bushfires take hold within the Blue Mountains
A fire in Heatherbrae near Raymond Terrace is also burning out of control after jumping containment lines at 3.30pm, putting properties at risk, while there are reports emerging of homes lost near Port Stephens were a fire forced the closure and evacuation of the Newcastle Airport.
Note: The below colour density on the radar is smoke not rain
Students at St Columbus School in Springwood are currently sheltering in classrooms as roads around the school are cut off by fire.
Police issued an alert asking parents not to try to cross road blocks to get to the school.
"All children are safe. They are being sheltered at the school," a police spokeswoman said.
Just after 5pm the RFS Tweeted that all students at St Columba's, St Thomas Aquinas and Ellison Primary are safe.
Fire and Rescue NSW officers fighting a bushfire burning on the outskirts of Lithgow, West of Sydney. Picture: AAP Source: AAP
It comes as Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons Tweeted: "If we get through with less than 100 homes destroyed today, we have been lucky".
The Deputy Commissioner Rob Rogers added: "This is the most serious fire risk we have faced since the early 2000s."
The fire near Williamtown airport is causing concern with the community of Salt Ash again under threat, as well as the bigger community of Medowie.
A fire storm has destroyed countless properties in the Blue Mountains, one of more than 75 potentially deadly fires raging across the State.
Homes were engulfed in the lower Blue Mountains suburb of Winmalee and Springvale, with homeowners evacuated to nearby public schools and shopping centres.
A large bush fire burns through bush near the Williamtown Airport near Newcastle. Pic John Grainger Source: News Limited
The fire is now threatening suburbs around Penrith after flames leapt across the Nepean River and put homes at Castlereagh and Emu Plains at risk.
There are also unconfirmed reports of homes being destroyed at Lithgow and Mt Victoria, with fire crews battling an out-of-control blazes on two fronts. Properties have also been reportedly lost at Yanderra and Balmoral in the Southern Highlands.
Thanks to high winds in excess of 90kph which have provided horrific conditions for fire crews, ash from the Blue Mountains fires fell as away as Sydney's CBD.
A fire in Heatherbrae near Raymond Terrace is also burning out of control after jumping containment lines at 3.30pm, putting properties at risk.
Fire and Rescue NSW officers in property protection mode at a bushfire burning on the outskirts of Lithgow. Picture: AAP Source: AAP
Almost 600 firefighters have been thrown into the battle against almost 80 fires across NSW.
A new fire front has closed the Pacific Highway at Heatherbrae near the Hungry Jacks, KFC and BP service station at the intersection of Masonite Rd.
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A Rural Fire Service spokesman said water bombing helicopters were battling the flare up which closed the highway shortly after 3pm.
A massive blaze was skirting the village of Oaky Park and spotting into Clarence near Lithgow in the Blue Mountains. Courtesy: rambo_hayabusa
Nelsons Bay is now totally cut off from Newcastle with earlier road closures along Nelsons Bay Rd, Cabbage Tree Rd and Tomago Rd.
The 1100ha fire has forced the evacuation of parts of Newcastle Airport, which has been closed for a few hours.
Springwood fire. pic: Dan weatherhead/twitter Source: Supplied
Witnesses have described the wild blaze burning through bushland near Port Stephens with plumes of dark smoke visible from Newcastle.
An emergency warning is in place for an out-of-control bushfire burning at Heatherbrae, north of Newcastle.
According to the Rural Fire Service (RFS), the fire has breached containment lines under gusty winds and was burning towards Tomago Road.
The warning also applies to residents around Cabbage Tree Road.
The blaze has also closed Newcastle Airport.
Springwood fire. twitter Source: Supplied
Richard Jones, manager of Muree Golf Club, which is just north of the blaze, said there was "miles of smoke".
"It's just wild," he said.
"I don't think it's crossed the road yet but it's not endangering anyone on the course at the moment.
"Firefighters are going up and down the street to the north east of us telling people to evacuate."
Confirmation on evacuations has been sought from the RFS.
To the north east lies Lakeside, where Nicole Edney says where she is ``it's black''.
"Apart from that, we are not in immediate danger,'' said Ms Edney, who is the assistant manager of the Lakeside Recreation Centre.
"We had a alert (from RFS) just to say there is a warning.
"It's very black and it's close.''
Campbelltown UWS campus brush fire. Source: News Limited
Ms Edney said the blaze had worried parents bringing their children to the recreational centre for swimming lessons.
But she reiterated the centre was safe.
Billowing plumes of black smoke can be seen as far away as Newcastle.
Fort Scratchley Historical Society volunteer Lynne Foley said from Newcastle East, it looked like water bombing efforts were working.
"It was extensive to begin with but it's a lot clearer now. I think the water bombing is dealing with it,'' she told AAP.
A large bush fire burns through bush near the Williamtown Airpor. Picture: John Grainger Source: News Limited
"When I got to work this morning, I could see from the Newcastle rail line, the sky was grey.''
NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell has encouraged MPs whose electorates are affected by bushfires to leave parliament and help where they can.
"There is not much we can do except wish those extraordinary volunteers and paid firefighters out there every success and every luck," he said.
"There have been suggestions already that some of these fires may well be the result of arson.
"Hopefully that is not true; hopefully it is down to today's weather conditions."
Bushfires Southern Highlands. Traffic is halted 2kms outside of Bargo turnoff as a bushfire runs through Balmoral Village and Yanderra. Source: Supplied
"Until that stage, this city can't rest easy," he said.
"There are parts of the state where currently residents are battling the uncertainty of the outbreak of these fires and our hearts and our thoughts are with them."
About 8700 homes west, south west and north of Sydney are without power, with wind gusts of up to 70km/h bringing branches down on powerlines.
Endeavour Energy on Thursday advised members of the public to stay well clear of fallen powerlines.
It has also advised residents in Lithgow, where a bushfire is burning, that it might need to isolate parts of its network as the fire passes through.
In the Blue Mountains, power has been cut to about 4500 homes and businesses in Katoomba, Winmalee and parts of Leura, Blackheath and Mt Victoria.
Traffic is halted 2km outside of Bargo turnoff as a bushfire runs through Balmoral Village and Yanderra in the Southern Highlands. Source: Supplied
The worst affected areas at this stage are Wilton, Menangle and parts of Campbelltown.
In the Hawkesbury, strong wind has interrupted electricity supply to 1300 homes along the Hawkesbury River from Lower Portland and Maroota to St Albans.
Fallen powerlines can be reported by calling 131 003.
In the Southern Highlands, south-west of Sydney, a fire at the village of Balmoral, in Wingecarribee, was moving very quickly.
The scene of one of the fires burning in NSW Source: Twitter
Rural Fire Service spokesman Joel Kursawe says there are reports one house is on fire.
"They're saying that one house is already alight, that could be because the house was alight and it's spread, or not, we don't know," he told reporters.
"It's all happened very quickly."
Attempts to waterbomb in Lithgow were being hindered by 90km winds, Mr Kursawe said, which were also capable of carrying embers up to six kilometres.
Smoke from rhe Balmoral Village and Yanderra bushfire blankets the horizon. Source: Supplied
Homes at Clarence, Dargan, Doctors Gap and Hartley are expected to come under threat from the fire, which has already burnt more than 1000 hectares of bushland.
Two evacuation centres have been set up at Lithgow Workers Club and Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens.
Meanwhile, more than 130 firefighters are fighting the blaze near Port Stephens.
"Some of the pictures we're getting from up there, it's just incredible," Mr Kursawe said.
"It's just a mass smoke cloud over the whole town."
The fire at Balmoral Village was approaching the township of Yanderra and residents were being urged to move towards Bargo.
A total fire ban remains in place for several areas of the state with temperatures of 34C forecast.
It was nudging 34C in Sydney at 1pm (AEDT) with gusty winds.
The Heatherbrae bushfire near Williamtown Airport in Newcastle. Picture: Twitter Source: Twitter
Of most concern to firefighters are three fires.
In the Blue Mountains west of Sydney, near Lithgow, more than 100 firefighters are battling a massive blaze that is skirting the village of Oaky Park and spotting into Clarence.
A new fire had also broken out at Springwood.
RFS deputy commissioner Rob Rogers tweeted: "lithgow fire becoming unpredictable. Residents please take extreme care. Very serious danger to life today".
A Blue Mountains resident said the RFS had just knocked on his door warning the fire was approaching.
"The sky is very dark with the sun burning orange through the dark smoke," the resident told ABC radio.
Bells Line of Road has been closed between Lithgow and Bell in both directions.
The Darling Causeway is closed northbound at the Great Western Highway in Mount Victoria.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service has closed additional areas of the Blue Mountains National Park because of the threat.
Blue Mountains Regional Manager Geoff Luscombe said all tracks and trails in the Grose Valley, as well as lookouts along the Bells Line of Road, are now closed as a precautionary measure.
"With a very high fire danger rating there's always a chance that the Lithgow fire could enter the park and if that happens we don't want people walking in there,'' he said.
Residents who hadn't already evacuated before noon were advised to take shelter in their homes.
And at Port Stephens, north of Newcastle, Williamtown Airport was closed about midday and all flights in and out were suspended because of a bushfire burning nearby.
Passengers are advised to not come to the airport and to contact their airline for flight details.
Smoke from the Port Stephens fires, not far from where four homes were lost on Sunday, was visible from the Newcastle CBD.
The dramatic scene at Williamtown Airport, Newcastle. Picture: Twitter @WynRichards Source: Supplied
Similar conditions on Sunday resulted in six homes being lost to fires at Port Stephens, north of Newcastle, and near Kempsey on the north coast.
The airport was closed after a fire burning near Heatherbrae breached containment lines fanned by gusty winds, the RFS said.
Properties around Tomago Road, Cabbage Tree Road, Barrie Close, and Williamtown Drive may also come under threat, the RFS warns.
Smoke from the fire is visible from the Newcastle CBD.
In the Blue Mountains region, residents of Clarence and Oaky Park have been urged to seek shelter and protect themselves from flying embers, with properties there expected to be threatened.
Those who had planned to leave their homes in a bushfire should have left by noon (AEDT), NSW Fire Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said.
Conditions were worsening with winds expected to reach up to 95km/h.
"History will show, too many lives are lost when people flee at the last minute,'' he said.
The fire broke out near an army range on Wednesday afternoon, with explosions and detonations making it too dangerous to send in firefighters and aircraft.
Mr Fitzsimmons says the fire would take some time to control given the sweltering conditions and its geographic location.
It's expected to skirt to the northeast of Lithgow and head into the mountains as the winds pick up.
Conditions were worsening this afternoon with winds expected to reach up to 95km/h.
If the high winds do fan the blaze, it could disrupt the Western rail line through the area, Mr Fitzsimmons said.
A 367-hectare bushfire is also burning 15km east of Singleton, in the Hunter Valley, but is being controlled.
Authorities are warning of a serious threat to life as multiple bushfires burn across NSW.
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