Bushfire update: camping grounds remain closed
Bushfire update: camping grounds remain closed
03 October 2016
published by http://www.dailyexaminer.com.au
Australia MONDAY, 11AM Firefighters have made the most of favourable weather conditions yesterday and this morning as the bushfire at Station Creek Rd Barcoongere in Yuraygir National Park is brought under containment.
Forestry Corporation NSW incident controller Steve Pickering said crews have worked to establish containment lines on the 3000 hectare fire, which has been burning since Friday afternoon.
“Crews today are looking to consolidate and deepen the containment line, and with some favourable weather conditions and a bit of moisture today we’re confident we can keep it contained,” Mr Pickering said.
“We conducted containment back burning last night, so today is a good opportunity to hold that line and consolidate the containment lines.”
National Parks and Wildlife Service had advised that due to the fire, Station Creek campground and Pebbly Beach campground are both closed, and access to Southern Yuraygir via Bald Knob Rd, Yellow Cutting Rd, Barcoongere Rd and McPhillips Rd is closed, as well as the Yuraygir Coastal Walk south of Wooli.
The closure is expected to be in place until Wednesday, but may be extended.
SUNDAY, 1PM A change in weather conditions have given firefighters a better chance at bringing a large bushfire at Barcoongere State Forest under control.
Forestry Corporation NSW deputy incident controller Tom Halliday said more than 30 firefighters, helicopter and fixed wing aircraft have been combating the blaze, which has been burning since Friday.
“Hopefully over the next one or two days we will have a line around the fire, but the weather is manageable and it is giving us an opportunity to have a red hot go at it,” Mr Halliday said.
A change in wind direction has meant the fire has turned back in on itself, after the fire burnt through to the coast on the east yesterday.
While 1900 hectares have been burnt, Mr Halliday said the fire is not threatening any major assets.
7:00PM: AN out of control fire has broken out in Wells Crossing on Florda Prince Dr, near the Pacific Highway.
Local Rural Fire Services are responding to the blaze.
3:10PM: NSW fire fighters have gain control of a huge fire near Station Creek.
The fire is now stretches across more than 1600 ha of the Barcoongere State Forest and national parks.
While winds died down in the first half of today, speeds have been picking up between Grafton and Coffs Harbour with up to 35km gusts.
9:10AM: FIRE fighters have been battling a fire at Barcoongere State Forest since 10am yesterday morning.
At 9pm last night the fire had reached 707 ha and was approaching the coast near the Pebbly Beach Camping area.
Visitors to the area are advised not to enter the area.
5.10PM: Michael Brougham from the NSW RFS has said members of brigades are warning campers of potential risk at the fire near Station Creek.
“People at Pebbly Beach have been advised of fire and at this stage are staying in place,” he said.
Mr Brougham advised that anyone in the Barcoongere State Forest that doesn’t need to be there should leave the area.
RFS crews are currently at Station Creek campsite.
4.45PM: A FIRE has broken out in Barcoongere State Forest, near Station Creek.
Multiple NSW Rural Fire Service and National Parks services are attending the scene since 10am.
The fire is classified as out of control and 219 ha.
Michael Brougham from the NSW RFS said: “there is a significant fire in the Barcoongere State Forest burning towards the coast.”
The Bureau of Meteorology has released a strong wind warning for the Coffs Coast.
