NSW Central Coast town loses homes; fire near Buldelah Sydney weather, heat worsens
Katie Greene moved to the area five years ago and said at least five of her neighbors lost their homes but hers was saved.
“I don’t know how many houses are actually gone, but I can see at least five neighbors losing their homes,” he said.
“Such a lovely local community, just heartbreaking.”
Greene escaped with her children before the fire reached her streets.
The flames grew rapidly under the influence of the wind. All Greene heard was a fire truck, and half an hour later the flames were engulfing the homes.
“The bush was extremely dry, it was very hot and very windy today and the firefighters are incredible, amazing,” he said.
At the same time, the temperature at Mangrove Mountain, the nearest weather station, rose to 40.3 degrees.
It was even warmer in Sydney’s west; Temperatures reached almost 42 degrees in Badgerys Creek, Penrith Lakes and Richmond. It is estimated that this day will be the city’s hottest day in the last two years.
The state’s largest firefighting helicopter, RFS Chinook, has been deployed to slow the front line of the Koolewong fire.
Houses were destroyed in the Koolewong fire. Credit: NBN NEWS
“Embers will be blown long distances from the main fire front, starting spot fires, which can affect your home sooner than the main fire front,” the RFS warned Central Coast residents.
These fears were soon realized when the fire jumped out of the water and moved south towards Phegans Bay just after 4pm.
Residents were urged to seek shelter after the RFS issued its most dire warning at 4.30pm: “Your life is at risk. It’s too late to leave.”
Greene added that there are many elderly people living around Woy Woy who will be deeply affected by the rebuilding costs.
“This is the most beautiful community I’ve ever lived in, it’s going to be devastating for them,” he said.
“We will come together for them”
Central Coast councilor Jared Wright said 12 homes had burned, double estimates made earlier in the afternoon.
The Koolewong fire was downgraded to “watch and act” from 6pm on Saturday. Credit: AAP/Dan Himbrechts
“In times of crisis, the Central Coast community always comes together to support each other, and I know that will happen in the hours, days and weeks ahead,” he said. Herald
Tony Stellino was among those who lost their home.
“I went there and took a look… and… it was above us,” he told Nine News.
“We made it, we’re still here. We’re starting over. Everything is gone now, the memories, everything, all our clothes, all our belongings.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who bought a property in Copacabana, a nearby Central Coast suburb, in 2024, said he was thinking of everyone affected by the bushfires in NSW.
The Koolewong fire stopped trains on the Central Coast and Newcastle Line.Credit: Angus Dalton
“Please look out for each other and follow the advice of authorities,” he said in a statement.
“We would like to thank all our emergency services and volunteers on the ground and in the air,” he said.
On Saturday evening an RFS spokesman said the service was yet to confirm how many homes had been lost. Central Coast residents were preparing for the number of properties lost to escalate and an evacuation center was set up at Gosford RSL.
Another house was destroyed in the Koolewong fire.Credit: TNV
A second bushfire on the Mid North Coast is also believed to have destroyed at least one home near the town of Bulahdelah.
The fire destroyed more than 2800 hectares of land and has not yet been brought under control.
Following the emergency warning for Koolewong, a second emergency warning has been issued for a 10,000ha fire in the Upper Hunter near Milsons Gully.
Crews are responding to the Koolewong fire.Credit: TNV
In its warning, the RFS said the fire was moving south towards Bylong Valley Road, affecting homes and properties in the Baerami, Baerami Creek, Widden, Yarrawa and Kerrabee areas.
“The fire will continue to move in a south-southwest direction, but an approaching storm will bring erratic winds and cause the fire to burn in multiple directions,” the organization said before being downgraded to watch and action around 8 p.m.
While the temperature on Observatory Hill in Sydney exceeded 33 degrees at 12.30pm, it approached 42 degrees in many suburbs in the city’s west in the afternoon. Temperatures in the Sydney CBD were forecast to reach 39 degrees on what would be the city’s hottest day since January 2024.
Members of the Singh, Boparai and Hoju families of Penrith Beach.Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong
Smoke from the fires drifted across Sydney and the Central Coast, covering the city in a light haze.
Sydneysiders spend warm Saturday afternoons at the Maccallum Seawater Pool at Cremorne Point.Credit: Oscar Colman
People on the pier at Clifton Gardens in Sydney’s north.Credit: Oscar Colman
Pigs welcomed the whirlwind of Calmsley Hill City Farm operations manager Ryan Pockran in Abbotsbury, near Fairfield, on Saturday.Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong
Raphael enjoys ice cream on Penrith Beach. Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong
Rozema siblings Ava, 9, and Eli, 7, from Penrith, take advantage of the early opening at Penrith Beach yesterday. Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong
Sydneysiders flocked to the water again on Saturday, including Penrith Beach, which opened a day earlier than planned.
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The usage hours of the swimming spot nicknamed Pondi have been extended New facility amenities including more shade and outdoor showersis preparing for its third summer activity.
A sharp cold change is expected to drop the mercury to as low as 26 degrees on Sunday.
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