23 October 2009

Update: Red Ridge Trail Fire - 7:00pm 23/10/09

See http://bluemountains.rfs.nsw.gov.au/ for latest map of the fire location.

A fire is currently burning 10km South of Wentworth Falls in the Blue Mountains National Park. At 6pm this evening the fire was estimated to be 456 hectares in size. The fire is moving slowly to the east under mild weather conditions.



Current Activities
45 firefighters, 10 firefighting appliances and 3 helicopters have been combating the fire this afternoon. Additional crews will be deployed to the fire overnight to monitor fire activity and undertake construction of containment lines. Two bulldozers are also being brought in by the National Parks Service to strengthen containment lines.

Weather Conditions


Current weather conditions are mild. Moderate winds are coming from the West, swinging to the South-West. Overnight temperatures are predicted to fall to around 13 Degrees C, with winds moving more to the south around midnight.


For Saturday, temperatures are forecast to rise to 26 Degrees C in the afternoon, with South to South-West winds turning Westerly after lunchtime, with the chance of a shower or two.

Proposed Containment Strategy

Backburning is being undertaken this evening along the northern flank of the fire. This may create some more smoke and possibly a visible glow in the sky to the south.