A massive fire extending from Lithgow to west of Bilpin in the Blue Mountains is causing the most concern for firefighters in New South Wales this afternoon. The State Mine fire has burned almost 38,000 hectares on the north-western side of the mountains. An emergency warning is in place for residents of Bell, a village along the Bells Line of Road, and the Rural Fire Service (RFS) is advising people to evacuate their homes. Along that road, residents west of Bilpin are being advised to relocate. The RFS says if residents east of Bilpin are not prepared for the onset of fire, they should also leave. Residents of Bilpin itself are being advised to stay put but are being told they may not be able to leave for the next few days, as the village is expected to become isolated. People who live in Mount Wilson and Mount Irvine are advised to remain in place as fires are burning on roads in and out of the village, and the RFS says it is not safe to leave. Three watch-and-act alerts are also active for major fires near Springwood, Mount Victoria and Balmoral in the southern highlands. Follow our live coverage for updates as they happen. More » |
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