More warnings in Australia, as 83 fires are burning in New South Wales, 50 of which are not contained
3932 Mins Read
More warnings were issued as more fires continued to evolve in Australia. There are 83 fires are burning in New South Wales, 50 of which are not contained
The pilot of a water-bombing helicopter has walked away with minor injuries after crashlanding while battling a blaze at Pechey, west of Brisbane. Paramedics said the helicopter, operated by McDermott Aviation, “landed heavily” just before 2:00pm. The pilot, who is in his 70s, has been taken to Toowoomba Hospital in a stable condition.
Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio said the incident is unfortunate but has not hampered any fire fighting efforts.
We’re getting chopper vision of the water-bombing helicopter which crashed at Pechey on the Darling Downs. The pilot is in a stable condition. pic.twitter.com/ygIwQ5soTu
Meanwhile, residents on Noosa North Shore have been told to evacuate immediately as an unpredictable emergency level bushfire threatens the community. There are also a number of other fires at Watch and Act level across the state.
As late as 10pm on Tuesday, there were still 11 fires burning at emergency level in NSW. That figure dropped dramatically overnight, and by 7:30am there were none.
The biggest threat is still the Liberation Trail fire west of Coffs Harbour, which is a whopper. That blaze currently covers about 150,000 hectares, has a perimeter longer than 1000km and remains out of control.
epa07992059 A firetruck travels towards fires in New Italy, New South Wales, 13 November 2019. NEw South Wales remains in a state of emergency as a change in wind direction pushes bushfires in a different direction. EPA-EFE/JASON O’BRIEN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT
epa07992068 Tinonee resident Brian Acheson sets up his tip truck as a makeshift fire truck to assist residents fighting spot and grass fires in the Hillville area near Taree, New South Wales, Australia, 13 November 2019. Hillville has been decimated by bushfire for more than four days now with property still coming under threat following yesterdays catastrophic fire and weather conditions. EPA-EFE/DEAN LEWINS AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT
epaselect epa07992061 old daughter Charlotte look on as thick smoke rises from bushfires near Nana Glen, New South Wales, Australia, 12 November 2019 issued 13 November 2019). There are more than 50 fires burning around the state of New South Wales, with about half of those uncontained. EPA-EFE/DAN PELED AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT
It’s threatening Yarracooma, Paddys Plain, Cradle Creek and Lowanna. Residents are being advised to monitor conditions closely.
There were also fears over the Hillville Road and Rumba Dump fires overnight as a southerly change made them change direction. Thankfully, those two were downgraded to watch and act status at 6:30am.
Hot, dry and windy conditions are forecast for Friday and the weekend.
“There’s no meaningful reprieve. There’s no rainfall in this change and we’re going to continue to have warm, dry conditions dominating in the days and weeks ahead,” NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said.
