Fire-fighters are continuing to battle hot spots left by the Lidsdale blaze, with erratic winds and a forecast lightning storm for Monday afternoon, September 9, expected to complicate the effort.
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A fire broke out on the corner of View Street and the Castlereagh Highway on Friday afternoon, with high winds bringing flames close to homes and spreading through State Forestry areas.
One unoccupied home on View Street was damaged from the radiant heat of the flames as it passed by.
NSW RFS district operations coordinator Gary Hansen said many residents took the opportunity to evacuate on Friday afternoon, while others stayed behind to defend their homes.
At its peak on Friday evening, 140 fire-fighters were on the ground. A mix of Fire and Rescue NSW and Rural Fire Service crews worked throughout the weekend to try to contain the fire in trying conditions.
"The cold itself is a problem," Mr Hansen said.
"Fighting fires in cold, windy conditions is hard work. Just as it's a challenge to work in 40 degree heat, it's hard with a wind chill of -3."
It is estimated there are 20 hot spots that still require attention around the edges of the fire area, which is spread over hundreds of hectares.
With thunderstorms and lightning predicted for Monday afternoon and erratic winds expected to remain in place until Tuesday, Mr Hansen urged the community to remain vigilant.
"If you are threatened by a flare-up, call triple-zero immediately," he said.
Three aircraft, heavy plant, fire-fighting crews including a remote area firefighting team (RAFT) and National Park and Wildlife Services personnel are on site on Monday morning and crews will remain in the area on Tuesday.
"I want to thank the community for its support." Mr Hansen said.
"It's very important. It's only September, after all, we may have a very long summer ahead of us."
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