PEOPLE have been urged to avoid the Newnes State Forest area as the fire, which began at Lidsdale on Friday, continues to move slowly east. It is also moving in a northerly direction along Wolgan Road.
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A second severe weather warning has been issued for the region on Saturday, warning of damaging winds as fire operations continue in the region.
Smoke is continuing to linger in the Lidsdale area. People with health conditions have been urged to remain indoors and protect themselves from the smoke.
Five aircraft have been working in the area of the fire on Saturday, alongside 80 fire-fighters from Fire and Rescue NSW, the NSW Rural Fire Service and the Forestry Corporation NSW.
EARLIER
Evening rain brought a welcome reprieve to fire crews battling to protect homes at Lidsdale on Friday. Residents in the areas around Wolgan Road were evacuated and an emergency warning, the highest bushfire warning, was issued at about 4pm, urging people to find shelter as the fire front approached.
As of 10pm on Friday night, the NSW Rural Fire Service stated the grass fire was being controlled after having burned more than 600 hectares.
THE bushfire burning at Lidsdale has been downgraded from an emergency to 'watch and act' by the NSW RFS. It burnt through private property, crown land and state forest lands.
More than 130 firefighters from Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service and the Forestry Corporation of NSW were supported by five aircraft, all working to contain the fire.
A weather warning was issued by the Bureau of Meteorology on Saturday morning at 6am, warning of severe damaging winds for the region, including the Blue Mountains and Lithgow.
A gust of 89km/h was reported at Mount Boyce at 5:54pm.
"A strong cold front that swept across the state yesterday is bringing vigorous winds in it's wake," the warning stated.
"A low pressure system associated with this front is deepening over the western Tasman Sea and will slowly move away to the east. This will maintain vigorous westerly winds.
"Damaging winds, averaging 70 km/h with peak gusts in excess of 90 km/h are likely about southeastern districts during Saturday."
Fire danger remains high in the Lithgow region on Saturday, September 7.
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