Storms and wind keep fire danger high after homes lost
Storms and destructive winds will keep the fire danger high in parts of Australia and authorities are urging caution after a weekend of significant losses.
Nearly 60 bush and grass fires were burning in NSW on Sunday following earlier heatwave conditions.
Prime Minister Chris Minns said December was shaping up to be a particularly challenging time for fire danger due to westerly winds and warm waters in the Pacific Ocean.
“Unfortunately, due to the changing climate, we are likely to experience more variable weather periods in the coming years,” Mr Minns told ABC TV on Sunday.
“I’d love to be able to say we’re out of the woods or worse is behind us, but the truth is that’s not the case.”
A heatwave warning has been canceled after an out-of-control bushfire destroyed at least 12 homes in Koolewong, not far from residential areas on the Central Coast, on Saturday.
A further four homes were lost in Bulahdelah on the Mid North Coast.
As conditions ease across NSW, firefighters supported by aircraft continue to strengthen containment lines.
However, officials urged the public to be careful as more storms and lighting were expected on Sunday.
Federal and state disaster relief funding has been activated on the Central Coast, Mid Coast, Upper Hunter, Muswellbrook, Warrumbungle and Dubbo.
More than 250 firefighters, 50 trucks and nine planes battled the Koolewong fire at its peak.
Meanwhile, in Tasmania, authorities confirmed that the 700-hectare fire at Dolphin Sands, near Freycinet National Park on the state’s east coast, was under control after overnight rain.
19 houses were destroyed and 14 more were damaged in the fire that broke out in the coastal area on Thursday.
More than 120 sheds, caravans, water tanks, car parks, garages and electrical transmission lines were also damaged.
“Conditions pose safety risks to the community with increasing winds and debris present on properties,” Tasmanian Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Jeremy Smith said.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for the east of the island, with winds of around 100km/h expected from late Sunday evening until Monday morning.
Approximately 30 firefighters continue to extinguish hot spots in the fire area.
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