UPDATE! Belmont Bushfire Downgraded As Condtions Ease

BY IAN CROUCH

A bushfire emergency at Belmont has eased with the Rural Fire Service downgrading the blaze to Watch and Act staus.

Strong southerly winds which had been gusting up to 50 kilometres per hour  have now dropped back to around 35 kilometres per hour.

More than 30 fire trucks are at the scene with in excess of 100 firefighters providing property protection to homes east of Merleview Street from possible ember attack.

Where possible, backburning will be undertaken in a bid to contain the fire.

The Rural Fire Service says although the situation has eased, residents need to remain vigilant and be aware embers can be blown ahead of the fire and create spot fires in and around your property.

The RFS says residents in the area of Goulding Ave, Railway Crescent, Kalaroo Road, John Darling Ave, John Fisher Rd and Siloam Dr should follow their bush fire survival plan. If your plan is to leave, leave now before the fire threatens.

EARLIER:

An emergency warning has been issued for a large bushfire at Belmont.

Around 80 NSW and RFS firefighters with 20 fire trucks are undertaking property protection at Goulding Avenue, Railway Crescent and Kalaroo Road as well as John Darling Avenue, John Fisher Road and Siloam Drive.

The fire was first reported in Merleview Street at 6.45pm on Thursday and has burnt through 50 hectares.

Newcastle Fire Command says no properties are currently under direct threat from the fire and they have sufficient resources on the ground and more on standby to protect homes from ember attack.

For the latest information go to the NSW RFS website.

2NUR-FM will continue monitoring the situation and will keep listeners informed and up to date on the latest developments.

UPDATE! Salt Ash Bushfire Downgraded

BY IAN CROUCH

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.

Emergency Warning For Salt Ash Bushfire

BY IAN CROUCH

An Emergency Warning is in place for a bushfire at Salt Ash.

The fire is burning on the Tilligery Peninsula, north of Lemon Tree Passage Road.

So far, it has burnt through more than 860 hectares and is being fanned by strong northwesterly winds.

The fire has crossed Lemon Tree Passage Road  which remains closed to traffic.

Non-residents who have been in the area this morning for sporting activities are being urged to wait at the Tilligery RSL Sports Club on Lemon Tree Passage Road. The RFS says as soon as it is safe to do so, police will begin escorting those people out of the area.

While there are no properties under immediate threat and no evacuations planned at this stage for residents, the RFS says those residents who wish to leave their homes must do so immediately, however there is no access out of the peninsula via Lemon Tree Passage Road.

Residents along the Tilligery Track has been doorknocked and crews are on the ground ready to undertake property protection.

200 firefighters are on the ground along with 40 fire trucks, 3 helicopters and 1 fixed-wing aircraft.

A wind change has just started coming through from the south-west which is pushing the fire to the north-east.

The RFS says it's expected the fire intensity will subside at sundown, however they are monitoring the situation closely and will get word out immediately if the situation changes.

Please follow the directions and advice of police and firefighters on the ground.

Satellite Image Of Salt Ash Fire Picture: NSWRFS