Bushfire Emergency situation continues south of Port Macquarie, NSW

• 70 bushfires currently burning across the state of New South Wales
• 41 bushfires are yet to be contained
• A bushfire EMERGENCY is current for Lake Innes and Lake Cathie, NSW
• Rural firefighters and water-bombing aircraft slowing spread
• Fire damage in Darawank, NSW with one home lost to bushfire
• Forster and Tuncurry under ember attack last weekend
• Very High fire dangers expected until Saturday
• Dry lightning with isolated thunderstorms may provide additional bushfire hazard

As of 3:00pm, 70 bush and grass fires are burning across the state of New South Wales, with 41 of these still yet to be contained. Hot and windy conditions are expected to escalate the fire potential later this week.

The main focus of emergency bushfire activity is currently situated south of Port Macquarie, with bushfire burning in the vicinity of of Lake Innes and Lake Cathie. The bushfire breached containment lines earlier today and is swiftly moving in a southerly direction. Strong northeasterly winds have been directing smoke and embers well ahead of the main fire front, creating numerous new spot fires. Reports of these spot fires have been reported to the west of Lake Cathie village, and in the area of Lake Innes Nature Reserve.

Firefighters and water-bombing aircraft have been working throughout the afternoon to slow the spread of the fire and protect properties in the area. People situated within the area of Lake Cathie, Long Point or Bonny Hills are advised to watch for burning embers.

Another significant bushfire in the town of Darawank, NSW last weekend has resulted in fire damage with at least one home confirmed to be destroyed. The out of control bushfire was heading in a northeasterly direction for the town of Hallidays Point, with multiple other bushfires burning in the vicinity of The Lakes Way. Forster and Tuncurry, NSW itself were also under direct ember attack as strong winds carried burning embers aloft ahead of the main fire front. The situation across the fireground has eased over the past three days with the fireground reported to be 2693ha in size. This bushfire current sits as an Advice and is currently being controlled by the NSW RFS.

With no reprieve in the short sight, very high fire dangers are set to continue through the rest of this week and into this coming weekend, especially for central and northern inland regions of the state with hot daytime temperatures and windy conditions. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected about the northern inland ranges of NSW tomorrow, and also about the North West Slopes and Plains into Thursday due to the approach of an upper level trough.

Dry lightning from elevated thunderstorms may provide an additional bushfire hazard and/or ignite additional bushfires with dry and tinder conditions. As always, please keep vigilant and up to date with the latest severe weather alerts via the Early Warning Network.

Image 1: Fireground burn map - NSW RFS Lake Innes and Lake Cathie bushfire - October 29th, 2019.

Image 2: Waterbombing Aircraft - Viewed from Ocean View Resort, Lake Innes and Lake Cathie bushfires - Photo submission via Carolyn Sanderson.