Information from Blue Mountains Fire Control Centre, Katoomba on Bush Fire Situation in the Blue Mountains Council area.
Issued at 1000hrs on 14th December 2009
Grose Head South Fire
Current Situation
Favourable weather conditions today and tomorrow will assist NSW Rural Fire Service firefighters from Blue Mountains and National Parks & Wildlife Service to strengthen containment lines for the Grose Head South fire, in a remote area, 5 kilometres west of Yarramundi on Kariwoga Ridge south of the Grose River. The fire has burnt approximately 70 hectares of bushland in remote and rugged terrain. The fire is being controlled and there is no threat to property.
Currently there is no active fire along the edge of the fire ground. Remote Area Firefighters will be deployed onto the fire ground today to patrol the edge of the fire ground and mop up hot spots and smoking trees. With the forecasted change in weather conditions, light rain has been falling on the fire ground overnight and this morning. The use of water bombing aircraft has been restricted due to low cloud and mist over the fire ground. If these conditions change, water bombing aircraft will be deployed to support crews on the fire ground and continue water bombing operations.
Heavy earth moving equipment will continue work today, clearing between the western side of Booker Road Hawkesbury Heights to the eastern side of the playing fields at St Columba's High School Winmalee as a precautionary measure as part of the overall containment strategy. ahead of the worsening weather on Wednesday and Thursday..
Tom Hunter Park, Faulconbridge
The air operations base has moved to Tom Hunter Park on Hunter Way, Faulconbridge. Residents around the park area will see aircraft and support vehicle movements around the area throughout today and the next few days. Tom Hunter Park will remain closed until further notice.
Advice
While there is no immediate threat to property, people in the areas of Hawkesbury Heights, Bowen Mountain, Grose Vale, Grose Wold, Winmalee and Yarramundi should continue to monitor the situation. Residents should remain vigilant and follow your Bush Fire Survival Plan.
Whilst weather conditions for today and Tuesday are mild, the forecasted weather conditions for Wednesday & Thursday will see a return of high temperatures with low humidity and strong north to north westerly winds. Residents should be prepared to implement their Bush Fire Survival Plans and stay informed of current fire activity by monitoring local media and
regularly checking for updates on the RFS website or Information Line.
Weather Forecast
Today 14/12/09 - A few showers. E/SE winds to 30km/h. Maximum Temperature of 25 degrees and Minimum Relative Humidity of 50%.
Tuesday 15/12/09 - Mostly fine apart from a possible shower in the East. SE/NE winds to 20km/h. Maximum Temperature of 30 degrees. Minimum Relative Humidity about 40%.
Wednesday 16/12/09 - Dry. NE/NW winds to 20km/h. Maximum Temperature near 35 and Minimum Relative Humidity near 25%
Thursday 17/12/09 - Dry with increasing cloud. NW winds 35 to 45 km/h ahead of a late SW change. Maximum Temperature 39 degrees and Minimum Relative Humidity near 20%
Information
Unless fire conditions substantially change these updates will only be issued once per day.
National Parks and Council Reserve closures
All walking trails in the Springwood Ridge, Blue Gum swamp and Shaws Ridge north of Winmalee will remain closed until further notice. For further information on National Park Closures go to the National Parks & Wildlife Service website:
www.environment.nsw.gov.au/nationalparks
Bush Fire Survival Plan
If you live in or near the bush It is your responsibility to prepare yourself, your family and your home for the threat of bush fire. You need to make the decision to either Leave Early or Stay and Defend. Regardless of your decision you must prepare your property to give you, your family and your home the best chance of survival.
For information on obtaining and preparing a Bush Fire Survival Plan go to the RFS website at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au
· Updates on this fire and the current and the Fire Danger Rating in your area are available at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au or by calling call 1800 NSW RFS (1800 679 737).
· For information on Neighbourhood Safer Places (NSP) go to www.rfs.nsw.gov.au
· For information in relation to bush fire hazards and preparing your property contact your local Rural Fire Brigade Station or your local NSW RFS Fire Control Centre.
· If you need to report a new fire or require urgent assistance, dial Triple Zero (000).
PREPARE. ACT. SURVIVE.
Authorised by Incident Controller Supt. Tom Shirt, Blue Mountains Fire Control Centre.
Issued by the Incident Management Team on behalf of the Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service.
Inspector Paul McGrath
Learning & Development Officer
Blue Mountains District
NSW Rural Fire Service
Emergency Services Centre
Cnr Bathurst Rd & Valley Rd
KATOOMBA NSW 2780
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