Firefighters are on alert with many regions issuing high fire danger ratings in the face of strong winds crossing southeast Australia today. Photo: NSW RFS.
A cold front moving across the southeast of the country is likely to produce very strong, even “potentially damaging” winds, leading to elevated fire danger ratings and total fire bans.
Total fire bans have been declared for 11 areas across NSW, including the entire Riverina, the Illawarra/Shoalhaven and the Southern Slopes, all of which also have an extreme fire rating today (26 November).
The ACT, Monaro Alpine and Southern Ranges all have high fire danger ratings, while the Far South Coast region has been issued a moderate rating.
Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said the total fire bans told a story about the winds expected to increase throughout the day.
“What this is telling us is these are really dangerous fire conditions that we’re expecting across much of NSW,” she said.
A severe weather warning for damaging winds has also been issued for the Illawarra, Canberra, Southern Tablelands, Snowy Mountains and parts of the South Coast.
Ms Bradbury said the risk associated with the west to northwesterly gusts wasn’t necessarily tied to the thunderstorms, which are also possible for large parts of southeast Australia.
“In the [warning coverage] areas, we are likely to see damaging winds developing through this morning … and easing this evening after that front has moved through,” she said.
Total fire bans have been issued across much of NSW due to extreme fire danger ratings. Photo: NSW RFS.
The strong winds have also led to the first Catastrophic fire danger rating in more than two years.
It’s been issued for the Lower Central West Plains, which includes the townships of Bland, Forbes, Lachlan, Narromine, Parkes, Temora, Weddin and Dubbo.
The NSW Rural Fire Service warned that this signalled the “most dangerous conditions” should a fire start.
“Your life may depend on the decisions you make, even before there is a fire,” a statement read.
Extreme fire danger ratings are likely to continue into Thursday for parts of NSW.
The SES has advised those covered by the damaging winds warning to:
- Move vehicles under cover or away from trees
- Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony
- Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences
- Stay away from trees that have been damaged by fire as they are likely to be more unstable and may fall
- Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill
- Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.
Damaging wind gusts of up to 90 km/h are expected in the warning area throughout Wednesday, 26 November. Photo: BoM.
For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.
