WANDSWORTH FIRE NEAR GUYRA
UPDATED 11am Friday:
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A spokeswoman for NSW RFS said while the Guyra Road, Wandsworth bushfire progressed to the south-east overnight, given the weather conditions, it did not run as hard as some other fires in the area.
She warned that potentially there were about 10-20 properties along Guyra Road, and the tracks off the road that needed to be on alert today, as fire fighting strategy was not necessarily containment, but to slow its progression.
"We're asking residents in the area to remain vigilant and enact their bushfire survival plans and know what they are going to do when the situation changes, as it's very likely to do today," she said.
"We haven't had any immediate threat to property yet, however crews are in the field today to monitor conditions."
"Severe fire danger ratings at the moment meaning it is incredibly difficult for fire fighters to achieve containment," she said.
She said often fire fighters would have to fall back into property protection and look after those as best they could because was not safe to fight the fire.
"The best thing residents can do to help is to know what they are going to do because our greatest concern is their protection," she said.
"If they're not comfortable and not prepared then use the opportunity while they can to leave and head to a safe location."
The spokeswoman said residents were only advised to stay if they are well prepared, both their properties and themselves, physically and mentally to fight the fire if that eventuated.
This fire remains out of control and has burnt out about 1280 hectares.
UPDATE 6.30PM
BUSHFIRES are continuing to burn out of control near Walcha, Guyra and Tenterfield on Thursday night, but conditions have eased in two of the areas.
Watch and Act warnings are in place for the Wandsworth fire, near Guyra, as well as the Gulf Road fire that is burning at Torrington, near Tenterfield.
An emergency warning remains in place at 6.30pm for the Stockyard Flat fire near Walcha.
STOCKYARD FLAT FIRE
The RFS said the bush fire is burning in the Stockyard Flat, Spur Trail, Yarrowitch, Oxley Wild River National Park area. The fire has more than doubled in size on Thursday afternoon.
An emergency warning remains in place with residents urged to leave the area.
It has now burnt out close to 6,000 hectares and is still out of control.
On Thursday night, the RFS said there is an increase in fire activity on the southern edge of the fire.
Crews are on scene to protect properties and are supported by aircraft, who are continuing to attack the blaze to slow the spread.
The fire continues to move east towards the Warnes River area.
The RFS said people in the area of Blomfield Road should seek shelter as the fire approaches and protect themselves from the heat of the fire.
SO FAR:
The Guyra Road, Wandsworth bushfire remains out of control and has burnt more than 1,000 hectares.
The RFS said conditions have eased on the fireground and crews continue to work to strengthen containment lines.
The fire is still burning in a north-easterly direction towards Guyra Road and the Macintyre River.
The RFS has advised residents in the area of Guyra Road and Querra Creek Road to continue to monitor the conditions.
GULF ROAD FIRE, TORRINGTON
The bush fire is burning in the Gulf Road, Torrington area. The fire is still out of control and has burnt more than 9,655 hectares by 6.30pm.
Conditions have eased slightly on Thursday night across the fireground, the RFS said.
The RFS said the bushfire is burning to the west of Silent Grove Road, and crews are on scene attacking it to slow the spread.
The RFS advises locals in the areas of Silent Grove, Maids Valley and Mole River to monitor conditions in case conditions worsen.
TOTAL FIRE BANS IN PLACE
Extreme fire conditions are forecast for the New England area on Friday.
The RFS has issued total fire bans in the New England area - which encompasses Glen Innes, Tenterfield, Uralla, Walcha and Armidale - as well as the Northern Slopes.
A severe fire danger is forecast for the Northern Slopes, which covers the Gunnedah, Gwydir, Inverell, Liverpool Plains and Tamworth areas.
All state forests remain closed into the weekend
All state forests from the north of Sydney to the Queensland border and the Northern Tablelands will continue to be closed to the public on Friday and Saturday due to the very high to extreme fire danger forecast.
Forestry Corporation of NSW's Senior Manager Forest Stewardship Kathy Lyons asked the community to stay out of these state forests due to the very high risk to public safety.
"We are expecting very high to severe and extreme fire weather over the next three days and there are already extensive fires across the north coast and tablelands. Fires are likely to be uncontrollable in these conditions," Ms Lyons said.
EARLIER 3.30PM
BUSHFIRE emergencies are unfolding near Walcha, Guyra and Tenterfield on Thursday afternoon as gusty winds fan fires.
Emergency warnings are in place for the Wandsworth fire near Guyra; the Stockyard Flat fire near Walcha; and the Gulf Road fire that is burning at Torrington, near Tenterfield.
STOCKYARD FLAT FIRE
The RFS said the bush fire is burning in the Stockyard Flat, Spur Trail, Yarrowitch, Oxley Wild River National Park area. The fire is currently 2,961 hectares in size and is out of control.
On Thursday afternoon, the RFS said there is an increase in fire activity on the southern edge of the fire.
Crews are on scene to protect properties and are supported by aircraft. The fire is almost 3,000 hectares in size and is moving east towards the Warnes River area.
The RFS said people in the area of Blomfield Road should seek shelter as the fire approaches and protect themselves from the heat of the fire.
WANDSWORTH FIRE NEAR GUYRA
The Guyra Road, Wandsworth bushfire remains out of control and burning in a north-easterly direction towards Guyra Road and the Macintyre River. It has burnt out 438 hectares.
Guyra Road is currently closed.
The RFS has advised residents in the area of Guyra Road and Querra Creek Road to seek shelter as the fire approaches, and protect themselves from the heat of the fire.
GULF ROAD FIRE, TORRINGTON
A bush fire is burning in the Gulf Road, Torrington area. The fire has burnt more than 7,834 hectares and is out of control, the RFS said.
The RFS advises the fire is moving in a north easterly direction in the Torrington State Forest, towards Silent Grove, Maids Valley and Mole River.
Smoke and embers are creating spot fires ahead of the main fire front. These spot fires may threaten homes earlier than the predicted main fire front.
Total Fire Bans are in place and winds are expected to strengthen across the afternoon.
The RFS said locals that are in the areas of Silent Grove, Maids Valley and Mole River, it is too late to leave. Shelter in place as the fire approaches. Protect yourself from the heat of the fire.
NSW RFS has advised:
Check and follow your Bush Fire Survival Plan. If your plan is to leave, or you are not prepared, leave early.
Well prepared and actively defended homes can offer safety during the fire.
If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Continue to stay up to date with the bush fire situation by checking here, listening to your local radio station or by calling the NSW RFS Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737.
If you live in the area but are away from home, it may not be safe to return to your property.
For information on road closures, check here.
Be aware that roads may be closed without warning.