An emergency warning has been issued for residents in the New South Wales town of Curraweela as a grass fire burns out of control and smoke is spotted from the International Space Station.
Anyone in the area between Craigs Road and Jerrong Road has been warned to seek shelter as it is now “too late to leave” as the “fast moving” grass fire burns north of Taralga in the Upper Lachlan region.
About 140 NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) firefighters, 35 trucks, seven aircraft and two large tankers are working to control the fire, which has burnt more than 630 hectares.
There are about 20 properties at risk and a handful are being defended by the RFS.
”If you are in the Curraweela area between Craigs Road and Jerrong Road, you are in danger,” RFS said in a statement.
“Seek shelter now inside a solid structure such as a house.
“The fire is burning in the area of Curraweela and is continuing to spread in an easterly direction.
“The fire has crossed Taralga Road.
“Homes in the area of Craigs Road, Taralga Road and Old Station Creek Road are being impacted.
“Firefighters and aircraft are working in the area to slow the spread of the fire.”
Residents in Picton or Wollongong areas may see or smell smoke from the fire.
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Those residents are being urged not to call triple zero.
Smoke from the fire was spotted from the International Space station, 424 kilometres above Earth, just before 4pm.
There is also a large bushfire burning in the area of Tambaroora, north of Hill End, in the Central Tablelands.
The fire burnt 18,365 hectares but is now contained.
A total fire ban is in place for the Mid-Western Regional Council today.
“Please be mindful of activity in the landscape tomorrow as it takes one spark to start a fire and we do not want any more ignitions,” the RFS said.
Senior meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) Olenka Duma said extreme fire danger ratings had been issued for the central and southern NSW ranges today.
“We do have a lot of grass fuel load available… so as we have warmer temperatures, drier conditions and windy conditions that can elevate fire risk over the winter period,” she said.
Temperatures in the mid- to low-30s are expected for coastal NSW areas with temperatures inland expected to hit the 40s across the next four days.
Fires can be fast moving, for the latest information visit the RFS website here.
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