A bush fire community meeting has been held at Glen Davis hall on Monday, November 18, to discuss the ongoing situation caused by the massive Gospers Mountain fire, which continues to burn out of control.
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Smoke from the fire, which has burned more than 122,000 hectares in the Wollemi and Yengo National Parks and Parr State Recreation area, has filled the Lithgow Valley this morning.
The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) reported at 6am that the fire was continuing to spread on its western edge on the escarpment above Glen Davis. The eastern edge near Putty and Colo, which was the subject of an emergency warning over the weekend, "has moderated", the service states.
"If you live in the areas of Glen Davis, Glen Alice or Putty Valley, implement your bush fire survival plan and continue to monitor conditions," the service urged.
"Know what to do if the fire impacts."
The area of Newnes has also been put on alert.
A fire-fighting aircraft, which only recently finished testing, has been at work on the western edge of the Gospers Mountain fire near Glen Davis. The Very Large Air Tanker (VLAT).
"It has dropped two loads of retardant (over 30,000 litres) as part of the western containment option for the fire, east of Glen Davis and Glen Alice," the NSW RFS stated.
However, Chifley-Lithgow Rural Fire Service warned the aircraft's ability to operate in the area may be impacted by the amount of smoke in the area.
Portland's Rural Fire Brigade has advised it will be travelling into the area to undertake operations on Monday. Crews including Marrangaroo, Wallerawang and Hartley have been in action on the ground over the last few days.
Safe places
If you are unable to leave, identify a safer location which may be nearby. This may include a cleared area well away from bushland, or an identified Neighbourhood Safer Place www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/nsp
Safer places nearest to the Gospers Mountain fire's western edge.
- Glen Alice Public School
- Capertee Public School
- Simkins Park, Kandos
- Kremer Park Portland
What you need to do
- If you are threatened by fire, you may not get assistance.
- If you are in these areas and your plan is to leave, or your property is not prepared, leave towards a safer location.
- Safer locations include built up areas, well away from bushland.
- If you are unable to leave, identify a safer location which may be nearby. This may include a cleared area well away from bushland, or an identified Neighbourhood Safer Place www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/nsp
- Avoid bushland areas.
- A southerly change is forecast early on Wednesday morning. This may push the fire in a northerly direction.
If you are threatened by fire
- Do not be in the path of the fire.
- Protect yourself from the heat of the fire. Wear protective clothing and footwear. Cover all exposed skin.
- If the fire impacts, seek shelter in a solid structure to protect yourself from the heat of the fire.
- If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero
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