'Too late to leave': Emergency warning for bushfire on Sydney's ...
A large, out-of-control bushfire on Sydney’s northern beaches which threatened dozens of homes and a retirement community has been downgraded to “watch and act”.
The NSW Rural Fire Service issued an emergency warning at 2.39pm on Saturday in relation to the blaze on Meatworks Avenue at Oxford Falls, which began as a hazard reduction burn.
The warning focused on the Cromer Heights area, with residents on certain streets told it was “too late to leave”.
However, at 4.23pm, the fire had been downgraded to “watch and act” level. The RFS said the fire was 80 hectares in size and burning in an easterly direction.
“Conditions are beginning to ease across the fire ground,” the RFS said.
Residents around Pinduro Place, Jersey Place, Maybrook Avenue, Kirrang Street and Lady Penrhyn Drive “should be aware of ember attack”, it said.
The bushfire behind Australian Unity Willandra Bungalows Retirement Community.Credit: James Brickwood
Footage and photographs of the blaze show an enormous cloud of smoke over the area, which can be seen from CBD, and an orange glow in the sky from a local retirement community.
Earlier on Saturday afternoon, RFS media spokesman Inspector Ben Shepherd said the fire was burning towards the Cromer Heights and Beacon Hill area, “making its way basically under north-westerly winds in a south-easterly direction to Willandra Road”.
Willandra Road remains closed between McIntosh Road and Little Willandra Road.
Shepherd said hundreds of firefighters were sent to battle the blaze with assistance from water-bombing aircraft. He confirmed it was a hazard reduction burn that “spotted across lines”.
Locals flooded social media with images of the fire, including from their backyards. One woman urged those driving to look at the blaze to keep the roads clear for firefighters.
A Fire and Rescue NSW spokesman said they were supporting the RFS with nine trucks in attendance and crews focused on property protection.
Earlier this week, the RFS encouraged residents across the state to dedicate this weekend to preparing for bushfire season.
Emergency services minister Jihad Dib acknowledged hot and dry conditions were anticipated in summer.
“After several years of rainfall and flooding the vegetation has grown quickly and that is now drying out with the warmer weather, adding to fire risk,” Dib said.
RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers on Wednesday said volunteers had responded to more than 1100 bush and grass fires since the start of July. A total fire ban was declared across Sydney on Thursday.
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