THE massive Gospers Mountain bushfire is burning very close to Lithgow Correctional Centre and the Mount Piper Power Station.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The out-of-control 444,905 hectare blaze, currently at watch and act, alert is now less than one kilometre from the maximum security jail.
The same fire is also around one kilometre from the Mount Piper Power Station.
NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) crews said this very large fire continues to burn on multiple fronts and that dangerous conditions were experienced across the fireground on Thursday.
While fire activity has eased on Friday morning, the RFS said conditions are forecast to worsen again on Saturday.
The mercury is expected to soar to 39 degrees in Lithgow on Saturday.
READ MORE: Homes lost as massive firestorm hits NSW
A Correction Services NSW spokeswoman said they were liaising with RFS and closely monitoring this fire.
"There are no plans to evacuate Lithgow Correctional Centre," she said.
"There are a number of fire containment measures in place at the site, including fire breaks, and the site has significant firefighting capabilities."
There are around 80 staff and 400 inmates at the centre.
READ MORE: Australia again breaks average temp record
Australian Community Media understands that filtered face masks will be provided to inmates and staff if required.
The facility also has lock down procedures that can be put in place to cordon off smoke-affected areas of the jail.
Earlier this month Oberon Correctional Centre staff and inmates were evacuated when the out-of-control Green Wattle Creek bushfire came dangerously close to the facility.
Many roads in the region are closed to motorists (see below) and the RFS has issued advice warnings, by location, for areas in and around this fire.
Stay up-to-date with fires in your area at Fires Near Me.
Current situation and advice - Gospers Mountain bushfire
Cullen Bullen
- Continue to monitor conditions.
- Take advice from firefighters working in the area.
- Be ready to take action in case conditions change.
- Follow your bush fire survival plan.
Bell, Clarence, Dargan and the Darling Causeway
- The fire is burning in the Grose Valley and approaching from the south east.
- The fire has spotted over the Darling Causeway between Mt Victoria and Bell, in the vicinity of Hartley Vale Road. The fire continues to move in a north westerly direction.
- Continue to monitor conditions.
- Take advice from firefighters working in the area.
- Be ready to take action in case conditions change.
- Follow your bush fire survival plan.
Newnes Junction
- Continue to monitor conditions.
- Take advice from firefighters working in the area.
- Be ready to take action in case conditions change.
- Follow your bush fire survival plan.
Blackheath
- The fire has crossed the Grose River north of Blackheath.
- If you are in the area of Hat Hill Road or Pulpit Rock, there will be increased smoke in the area.
Bilpin, Mount Wilson, Mount Irvine and Itchenstoke
- Continue to monitor conditions.
- Take advice from firefighters working in the area.
- Be ready to take action in case conditions change.
- Follow your bush fire survival plan.
Mount Lagoon, Berambing and Mount Tomah areas along the Bells Line of Road
- The fire continues to burn on both sides of the Bells Line of Road, and is now burning in the Grose Valley.
- Fire activity is moderating and there is no immediate threat to property.
- On Sunday, fire activity increased with the fire jumping Mt Wilson Road and impacting the Berambing and Mt Tomah area.
- Continue to monitor conditions.
- Take advice from firefighters working in the area.
- Be ready to take action in case conditions change.
- Follow your bush fire survival plan.
Putty area
- There is active fire on the north western side of the village.
- Putty Valley and Putty Road may come under threat today.
- Continue to monitor conditions, and know what you will do if the fire threatens.
- Be ready to take action in case conditions change.
- Follow your bush fire survival plan.
Wallerawang, Lidsdale and Blackmans Flat areas
- Fire activity is increasing in the Wallerawang area, on the southern side of the fire.
- Continue to monitor conditions.
- Be ready to take action in case conditions change. Know what you will do if fire threatens.
Angus Place and Wolgan areas
- The fire has crossed Wolgan Road and is burning in the Ben Bullen State Forest.
- The fire has crossed Wolgen Valley and is spreading towards Cullen Bullen.
- If you are in the Wolgan Valley area, continue to monitor conditions, and know what you will do if the fire threatens.
- Be ready to take action in case conditions change.
- Follow your bush fire survival plan.
Glen Davis, Glen Alice and Bogee areas
- Fire continues to burn in a westerly direction within the Wollomi National Park.
- Continue to monitor conditions, and know what you will do if the fire threatens.
- Be ready to take action in case conditions change.
- Follow your bush fire survival plan.
Colo, Upper Colo and Colo Heights areas
- The fire has passed through these areas.
- Be aware of the dangers of trees and branches falling.
- Continue to monitor conditions.
- Be ready to take action in case conditions change.
- Follow your bush fire survival plan. Leaving early is your safest option.
Kurrajong, Kurrajong Heights and Bowen Mountain area
- The fire is moving east towards Kurrajong.
- The fire is approximately 20km west of the Kurrajong area.
- Continue to monitor conditions.
- Ensure that your property is well prepared.
- Be ready to take action in case conditions change.
- Follow your bush fire survival plan.
Lower Macdonald, Upper Macdonald and Perrys Crossing area
- Fire has passed through this area.
- Be aware of the dangers of trees and branches falling.
- Monitor conditions and be ready to take action.
- Follow your bush fire survival plan.
- If your plan is to leave or you are not prepared, leave early.
Mogo Creek, Fernances, Bucketty areas
- Backburning operations continue in this area.
- Crews continue to patrol and monitor the area.
- Continue to monitor conditions.
- Be ready to take action in case conditions change.
- Follow your bush fire survival plan. Leaving early is your safest option.
Road Closures
- Bells Line of Road is closed at the Skyline Road intersection.
- Skyline Road is still closed until further notice.
- Bells Line of Road is closed between Mountain Lagoon Road and Darling Causeway.
- Darling Causeway is closed between Bells Line of Road and Station Street.
- Chifley Road is closed between Bells Line of Road and Hartley Vale Road.
- Wollombi Road is closed.
- Due to operational activity there will be no access to Valley Ridges Road and Ghost Hill Road. These two roads will be reassessed today.
- Putty Road is closed between south of Long Weeney Creek Trail and Milbrodale Road.
- Comleroy Road is closed at Warrigal Road, Kurrajong.
- Drift / State Mine Gully Road is closed.
- Old Bells Line of Road / Clarence Road is closed.
- Blackfellows Hands Trail is closed.
- Check www.livetraffic.com for road information.
Love local news?
Why not subscribe, the first 30 days of full website access is free.
What do you think?
Nadine Morton
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
