Wind change heightens fire risk as a dozen homes lost
After a devastating day of fires, firefighters fear wind shifts, lightning strikes and thunderstorms will create further challenges.
At least a dozen homes are still out of control after a bushfire destroyed 12 homes in Koolewong, not far from residential areas on the Central Coast in NSW.
Officials warned that the approaching storm was expected to create adverse conditions Sunday morning, bringing strong winds and lightning strikes.
Despite the fire moving towards the Woy Woy Bay area, Koolewong will remain a priority for fire crews, although warnings have been downgraded to watch and take action.
Residents have been urged to remain on high alert as the wind shift hits the area, but conditions are expected to ease by 5am.
“We are seeing lightning across the state, lightning is moving towards the Central Coast and we are concerned about the wind change expected to come overnight,” said NSW Rural Fire Commissioner Trent Curtin. he said Saturday afternoon.
Temperatures are expected to ease across much of NSW and southern Australia from Sunday, but will rise in northern Australia and Western Australia before returning to much of the country by the start of the week.
Mr Curtin hoped the cold weather would create a “perfect opportunity” for firefighters to tackle the fires.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese thanked emergency services for their efforts on the ground and in the air, adding that his thoughts were with citizens affected by the fires.
More than a dozen houses, sheds, outbuildings and cars were damaged and two firefighters injured when a fire broke out of control at Dolphin Sands on Tasmania’s east coast on Friday.
The fire has since been brought under control, but access to the area is dangerous so it is unsafe for residents to return.
Victorians will experience milder temperatures on Sunday following Friday’s hot, dry and windy weather followed by cold weather and thunderstorms.
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