STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED FOR NEW SOUTH WALES
Thursday 4pm
Several firefighters have been injured while trying to combat fires across the state.
Thursday 2pm
The Gospers Mountain fire has been upgraded to Emergency Level.
Those in the area of Itchenstoke should seek shelter immediately.
The blaze has scorched more than 150, 000 hectares.
Thursday Midday
New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has declared a state of emergency for the next seven days.
Warmer than average temperatures and strong winds are forecast for most of the state today, with several regions listed as extreme, severe and very high for fire danger.
Keep up to date on fires burning across New South Wales on the RFS website.
A State of Emergency is declared in NSW from today giving Commissioner Fitzsimmons additional powers to deal with the bushfires. Severe weather conditions are forecast for today and will worsen on Saturday. Listen to warnings and be prepared. #NSWfires pic.twitter.com/iIqfFpIQIW
— Gladys Berejiklian (@GladysB) December 18, 2019
Thursday Forecast:
Newcastle – Maximum temperatures of 41 degrees, with maximum windspeeds of up to 21 kilometres an hour.
Wyong – Maximum temperatures of 36 degrees, with maximum windspeeds of up to 10 kilometres an hour.
Taree – Maximum temperatures of 37 degrees, with maximum windspeeds of up to 24 kilometres an hour.
Tamworth – Maximum temperatures of 40 degrees, with maximum windspeeds of up to 16 kilometres an hour.
Port Macquarie – Maximum temperatures of 32 degrees, with maximum windspeeds of up to 25 kilometres an hour.
Coffs Harbour – Maximum temperatures of 30 degrees, with maximum windspeeds of up to 25 kilometres an hour.
Lismore – Maximum temperatures of 32 degrees, with maximum windspeeds of up to 22 kilometres an hour.
Dangerous fire conditions forecast today due to high temperatures, strong winds and low humidity. A Total Fire Ban remains in place across NSW, with Extreme fire danger for the Greater Sydney, Illawarra/Shoalhaven and Southern Ranges areas. How fire proof is your plan? #NSWRFS pic.twitter.com/U7zFNj3Vbu
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 18, 2019
More than 100 fires continue to burn throughout New South Wales.
A total fire ban remains in place for the state.
