Remote area fire-fighters have been on the ground working to contain the Gospers Mountain fire, which has crossed the Wolgan River south of Glen Davis.
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NSW RFS operational officer Gary Hansen said a lot of work had been carried out to secure the edge of the blaze and help protect Newnes.
Mr Hansen said Newnes was very well protected by a hazard reduction burn which was carried out by National Parks and Wildlife crews in May this year.
"When it reached that, it stopped," he said.
"If not for that, it could have climbed the escarpment a caused a great deal of concern."
There was a significant increase in fire activity in the Glen Davis and Glen Alice area overnight as embers were carried into the valley by strong easterly winds.
Fire truck numbers were reinforced after 10pm, with 12 rural fire service trucks working to make sure there was no threat to property, Mr Hansen said.
Conditions calmed on Wednesday, November 20, and the fire was now progressing down the escarpment, a process which the RFS predicted could take up to three days.
"That suits us, we can have crews ready to secure the area," Mr Hansen said.
"It has been too dangerous to light fuel and backburn on the escarpment. The terrain is so steep it may have caused spot fires behind where we wanted it to be."
With relatively light winds predicted over the coming days and even (fingers crossed) the promise of some rain late in the weekend, crews would be taking the opportunity to suppress the fire where the opportunity arose.
With fire-fighting efforts likely to continue over the next few weeks, local crews would be relieved in stages.
"Some crews have been helping out at fires up north since August, now the fire's in our backyard," Mr Hansen said.
"We are trying our best to manage fatigue."
Crews are currently travelling from as far as Perthville, Oberon and Bathurst to carry out operations at Glen Alice.
Remain vigilant
At a community meeting at Glen Davis on Wednesday morning, residents were urged to remain vigilant.
"The community has done a great job to prepare their properties," Mr Hansen said.
"Everyone now needs to remain aware and alert - not alarmed - just alert.
"If the situation does change, you need a plan in place to enact."
If you see a fire that is unattended by a fire crew, call triple-zero immediately.
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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Kirsty Horton
A journalist with 15 years of experience, Kirsty Horton has been the editor of the Lithgow Mercury newspaper and a journalist for mastheads including the Great Lakes Advocate, Nambucca Guardian News and Moree Champion. She is now a member of ACM's features and special publications team.
A journalist with 15 years of experience, Kirsty Horton has been the editor of the Lithgow Mercury newspaper and a journalist for mastheads including the Great Lakes Advocate, Nambucca Guardian News and Moree Champion. She is now a member of ACM's features and special publications team.
