23 Oct 2013

Bushfire crisis eases in NSW

10:49 pm on 23 October 2013

The Rural Fire Services commissioner says the bushfire crisis in the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury region in New South Wales has been averted and residents can start returning home.

Strong winds and high temperatures fanning the flames throughout the day have eased on Wednesday night, but authorities warn that the situation remains dangerous and dynamic.

Fire crews protect a property in the Blue Mountains.

Fire crews protect a property in the Blue Mountains. Photo: AAP

An emergency warning remains in place for the Gateshead fire at Lake Macquarie, near Newcastle, while a number of watch-and-act alerts remain in place for the region and in the Blue Mountains, the ABC reports.

Forecasters had warned that Wednesday could be the worst day since the crisis began in the Australian state more than a week ago. Temperatures were predicted to reach the high 30s, humidity was expected to be at 10%, with wind gusts of up to 100km/h.

RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said the firefighting operation would continue into the evening before cooler weather on Thursday.

In the Newcastle region, the Minmi fire had been downgraded to a watch-and-act alert, and the M1 Motorway was being reopened. Watch-and-act alerts are in place for the State Mine fire near Lithgow, the Mount Victoria fire, and the Hall Road fire near Wollondilly.

In the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, people had been leaving the fire zone and registering at evacuation centres earlier in the day. All schools in the area were closed to keep families together and people were told not to enter the area unless it was essential.

Crews worked through the night backburning to get a handle on several large blazes. Hundreds of firefighting reinforcements have been sent to New South Wales from other states and more than 1000 firefighters and 200 fire engines were operating in the Blue Mountains on Wednesday. Helicopters are also in heavy demand, although if the wind gets too fierce they would be grounded.

State and federal aid

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell said Lithgow Workers Club and Penrith Workers Club were open for people who have nowhere else to go and state government assistance was available there.

Mr O'Farrell said the state would get through the day because of the "extraordinary efforts" of fire authorities in planning and firefighting.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has announced further assistance for those affected.

Justice Minister Michael Keenan says a disaster recovery allowance is now available for residents whose income has been directly hit by the disaster. More than 300 homes have been lost since 17 October.