4.15pm The RFS says fire crews have managed to bring the fire under control and it is about to be downgraded to Watch & Act.
4.00pm
Around 200 firefighters from the Rural Fire Service, Fire & Rescue NSW and National Parks are undertaking property protection in Rookes Road, Lemon Tree Passage Road and Brownes Road along with 5 helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.
Around 70 properties are under threat and the RFS says properties in Rookes Road are being impacted by fire. Residents there have been advised to take shelter in a solid structure as the fire approaches. At this stage, there are no reports of property losses.
The fire has burnt through 1923 hectares and an Emergency Warning remains in place for the Salt Ash area with strong westerly winds gusting up to 60 kilometres per hour.
EARLIER
A Emergency Warning has been issued for the Salt Ash bushfire.
Strong westerly winds have whipped up the flames and the fire intensity has increased around Salt Ash.
The fire is now burning towards Rookes Road, Lemon Tree Passage Road and Brownes Road.
Embers may be blown well ahead of the fire, creating spot fires and threatening property before the main fire front arrives.
Lemon Tree Passage Road is now closed.
Emergency alert telephone messages have been sent to people in the area.
Advice From The Rural Fire Service
If you are in the Salt Ash area near Rookes Road, Lemon Tree Passage Road and Brownes Road take shelter as the fire approaches. It is too late to leave.
Take shelter in a solid structure to protect yourself from the heat of the fire.
People in the areas of Tilligerry, Tanilba Bay, Mallabula and Lemon Tree Passage should continue to monitor the situation closely and be prepared to put your bush fire survival plan into action.
Follow the advice of firefighters on the ground.
Other Information
- If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
- Continue to stay up to date with the bush fire situation by checking http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au, listening to your local radio station or by calling the NSW RFS Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737.
- For information on road closures, check http://livetraffic.rta.nsw.gov.au. Roads may be closed without warning.
