With temperatures reaching the top of the thermometer on Sunday, February 12, fire crews worked to contain several bush fires in the Gloucester region.
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The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) issued an early warning to the residents of the Mid North Coast region to have their fire plan ready.
At 4:09am the RFS website advised there were a number of fire burning in an easterly direction in Gloucester, Wingham and Bulahdelah. “
Watch and Act” warnings were in place for Giro, Wherrol Flat and Terreel.
“We ere encouraging people to leave early, but no one was forced to leave,” RFS spokesperson said.
According to a spokesperson from the RFS, the Giro fire is the most significant due to the size of the area affected.
The fire grew from around 2000 hectares to close 9000 hectares as a result of a couple of fires merging together.
Some of the fires are burning in remote areas that fire crews can’t access.
“The area is so dry, the creeks that normally act as a containment line have dried up and aren’t holding the fires,” RFS spokesperson said.
The Thunderbolts Way was closed from Barrington to Nowendoc late Sunday after the fire had moved across the road.
“There have been reports of fire damaged trees falling onto the road,” RFS spokesperson said
The closure is due to remain in place until at least Tuesday until crews have time to ensure the road is safe.
There have been reports of property loss, mainly sheds, but nothing has been confirmed as the RFS has been unable to inspect.
Thanks to a temperature drop, increased humidity and a southerly wind change around 5:00pm on Sunday, crews were able to get control of some of the fires.
All areas were been downgraded overnight.