Road Closures:
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The following road closures have been implemented:
Teudts Rd Penrose (due to current fire activity)
Viewpoint Rd Penrose (due to current fire activity)
Meryla Rd Meryla
Wombeyan Caves Rd High Range
Update:
The Green Wattle Creek is at 'Advice level as of 6:00 pm January 10.
The Morton fire are at a 'Watch and Act' level as of 6:00 pm January 10.
NSW Rural Fire Service community safety officer Inspector David Stimson said that there was increased fire activity which was to be expected.
"Nothing is untoward is at the moment. We've been updating the RFS Southern Highland Team Facebook page regularly with information," he said.
"The big problem will be the southerly in the evening. We've got extra crews and extra teams ready to respond.
Public liaison office Natalie Roberts said that the ADF had been busy clearing access routes for the RFS and in to national parks. They are also currently clearing trees from the railway corridor in Balmoral and have been working with local arborists and engineers.
Earlier:
Two fires are currently burning in the Southern Highlands region. The Green Wattle Creek and Morton fire are both at 'Advice' level as of 9:30 am January 10.
A Wollondilly Control Centre spokesperson said that RFS crews were keeping an eye over the active fires.
"We have crews in Taralga to cover an active fire near by and we are keeping an eye on an active fire near High Range," they said.
"Our crews are on the go and out and about and hopefully we will have crew in the air soon.
"We haven't been able to do a line scan at the moment due to cloud coverage but we do have crews manually mapping the fires.
"We've strengthened our containment lines and conducted strategic backburns in the Wombeyan, Taralga, High Range and Morton fire areas for a bit more protection.
"The Morton fire is looking a little better at the moment but we are expecting a southerly wind change between 11 pm - 1 am.
"However we won't know more until the winds pick up."
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe wind warning for the Southern Highlands for very hot, dry and windy conditions.
The winds will bring elevated fire dangers to parts of New South Wales today, most notably in the southern districts with winds averaging between 55 - 65 km and gusts around 90 km.
A BoM spokesperson said that the winds would be travelling in a north west direction until later tonight.
"A southerly will hit quite late at night at approximately 11 pm. That change will be strong and gusty," they said.
"The wind speed and change will mean that trees will be more vulnerable to falling.
"People will need to know what they will do when the change comes in.
"Temperatures across the region will be will be in the high 30s. Tomorrow will see a significant change in temperatures, with the low - mid 20s expected and a chance of a shower."
Green Wattle Creek Fire
Current Situation
- The fire has spread north of the Warragamba Dam.
- While fire activity has eased across the fireground, there is still an ongoing threat.
- Crews will use easing conditions to conduct backburning operations where conditions allow.
Advice
Wombeyan Caves, Bullio, Joadja and surrounding areas
- Monitor the changing conditions.
- Know what you will do if the fire threatens.
- Local roads may be blocked or closed.
- Be alert for smoke and embers.
Areas to the north and west of Mittagong, including Rock Lilly, Barralier
- Monitor the changing conditions.
- Know what you will do if the fire threatens.
- Local roads may be blocked or closed.
- Be alert for smoke and embers.
Burnt Flat, Paling Flat, Long Flat, Colong Stock Route, Bindook Highlands, Wanganderry, High Range
- Monitor the changing conditions.
- Know what you will do if the fire threatens.
- Local roads may be blocked or closed.
- Be alert for smoke and embers.
Alpine, Aylmerton, Willow Vale, Braemar, Balaclava, Mittagong, Bowral, Berrima, Woodlands and Mt Gibraltar areas
- The fire continues to burn west of the Hume Highway.
- Monitor conditions.
Hill Top and Colo Vale
- Monitor the changing conditions.
- Know what you will do if the fire threatens.
- Local roads may be blocked or closed.
- Be alert for smoke and embers.
Areas of Wollondilly and Wingecarribee to the west of the Hume Highway including Yerrinbool, Buxton, Bargo, Tahmoor, Oakdale, Silverdale and surrounding areas
- The fire has passed through the area. There may still be unburnt areas and active fire.
- Monitor the conditions. Know what you will do if the fire threatens.
- Stay alert for embers and spot fires.
- Follow the advice from firefighters in the area.
Jenolan, Jaunter Road, Tuglow and Kanangra and surrounding areas
- Fire is burning within containment lines.
- Monitor the conditions.
Canyonleigh and surrounding areas
- Monitor the conditions.
- Know what you will do if the fire threatens.
Morton Fire update
Current Situation
- A fire is burning in the area of Bundanoon, north of the Shoalhaven River.
- Fire activity is increasing in the area.
- The fire spread prediction map shows the potential fire spread and the communities that may come under threat from embers or fire fronts. Other surrounding areas may still come under threat if conditions change, or if fires breach containment lines.
- The fire has spread into the Southern Highlands from the Currowan fire.
- The Hume Highway may be closed at short notice. Drive to the conditions.
Advice
Bundanoon, Wingello, Penrose, Meryla, Exeter, Avoca, Fitzroy Falls and surrounding areas
- Monitor the changing conditions.
- Know what you will do if the fire threatens.
- Be alert for embers and spot fires in the area.
- Be alert for falling trees and branches.
- Local roads may be blocked or closed.
If you are threatened by fire
- Do not be in the path of the fire.
- Protect yourself from the heat of the fire. Wear protective clothing and footwear. Cover all exposed skin.
- If the fire impacts, seek shelter in a solid structure to protect yourself from the heat of the fire.
- If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000).
- If you are in an area that has already been affected by fire, there may be small areas of active fire burning for some time. Be aware of the dangers of trees and branches falling.
Other Information
- Stay up to date on bush fires in your area by checking the NSW RFS website, listening to your local radio station, or by calling the NSW RFS Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737.
- People with respiratory conditions who are affected by bush fire smoke should activate their health management plan and seek medical advice if necessary. Take precautions, such as staying indoors and closing windows.
- For information on road closures, check Live Traffic NSW. Roads may be closed without warning.
- Monitor weather conditions and weather warnings at Bureau of Meteorology.