As of 8pm there is one fire burning under an emergency warning in NSW which is the Lithgow fire. That fire is now threatening the tiny Blue Mountains township of Bell with residents told to leave now, if it is safe to do so, and head west to Lithgow.
Two other fires are burning in the Blue Mountains under the second highest alert level of watch and act. They are the fire at Mount Victoria and the blaze at Springwood, which has already destroyed 200 homes.
The fear is that with nightmarish weather conditions forecast for coming days the three may combine and form a fire front that will burn into the Hawkesbury and to Richmond in Sydney's north-west.
A state of emergency has been declared across NSW, it is in place for the next 30 days, to help the emergency services deal with the bushfire threat.
The SMH bushfire live blog is closing for this evening. All the latest information on can be found here.
NO mass evacs for Blue Mtns & Hawkesbury. Targeted messages will be sent to areas as required. Stay up to date with the latest fire info. — NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) October 20, 2013
Firefighters across Australia are being deployed to aid NSW in its state of emergency.With deteriorating weather conditions feared to return to the state on Monday, a 120-strong replacement crew will head from Victoria to NSW.
Victoria’s fire services commissioner Craig Lapsley says the crew will replace the team they sent last week, AAP reports.
NSW will then let Victoria know if it needs more back up
‘‘This week in NSW there’s a critical couple of days,’’ Mr Lapsley said. ‘‘Tuesday and Wednesday is the real critical fire weather. There could be a chance NSW could ask for more.’’
South Australia has also chipped in, sending a crew of 51, while Tasmania has sent a team of 20.
ACT Rural Fire Service has sent two teams to the Blue Mountains, where several ferocious fires are scorching the countryside.
A team of eight firefighters has also been sent from Queensland, with two more crews on standby.
New Zealand fire crews across the ocean are on the ready if NSW makes a call for help.
Earlier this year, New Zealand fire crews were deployed to help fight bushfires in both Tasmania and Victoria.
In 2009, a team of 109 Kiwi firefighters was sent to tackle massive bushfires in Victoria.
A number of school closures have been announced for Monday. In the Blue Mountains, Winmalee Public, Winmalee High, Springwood High, Ellison Public, Zig Zag Public and Yanderra Public will all be closed.
On the central coast, Nords Wharf Public, Gwandalan Public, Lake Munmorah Public and Lake Munmorah High are all closed.
Full details can be found here.
NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons has given a grim assessment of what may unfold in the Blue Mountains over the coming days. He says there is a real chance, if the forecast weather arrives, that the Lithgow fire, now burning near Bilpin, the Mount Victoria fire and the Springwood fire could combine to create a potentially devastating firefront that stretches some 300km.
"This is not out of the realms of possibility," he said.
"We are expecting the potential for the series of these fires to come together, to extend right down Bells Line Of Road.
"They have the very real potential to go right out to the eastern end of the Hawkesbury, right down into the north-west area of Sydney including Richmond.
That's what we are talking about, the run from Bilpin right through to Richmond. We are also talking about the fires coming down the northern areas of the Great Western Highway, everywhere from Blackheath to Katoomba, Leura and all the townships all the way along to places like Springwood and Winmalee.
"That's the magnitude. I sincerely hope it's not realised and we end up somewhere in between but what we can't ignore is the probability, based on the weather forecast and based on the current fire behaviour that we've experienced and which we are continuing to experience across these fire grounds.
As you get ready for week ahead spare a thought for @NSWRFS volunteers @FireRescueNSW preparing for next 3 days & all who've lost homes. — John Robertson (@jrobertsonmp) October 20, 2013
There are now fears the three large fires burning in and around the Blue Mountains could link up and form one massive blaze in coming days.
The state of emergency declaration and fears of what may still be to come from the NSW bushfire crisis is making headlines overseas.
Premier of Australia's New South Wales declares state of emergency with bushfires expected to worsen in coming days http://t.co/vBkyRa9mSE
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) October 20, 2013
Photographer Dean Sewell has been at Bell today as fire crews try to save the tiny township of Bell. An emergency warning remains in place for that township.
RFS strick team converge on Bells Line of Road new Mt Victoria today. das131020.001.001.jpg Photo: Dean Sewell
Standing with Barry O'Farrell as a state of emergency is declared, NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says NSW is now in "uncharted territory".
He said you have to go back "decades and decades" to find any fires similar to this, and even then they might not be of the same magnitude.
"The sorts of damage, destruction, loss and devastation that we've witnessed in the last 48 hours is typically aligned to what you would see in December of January, when we've seen the middle of the summer period and when we've seen our worst summer fire conditions.
"To find any parallel ... you've got to go back to the '68 fires ... what is fundamentally different today is that there are a hell of a lot more people settled across these at risk area than there was in the 50s and the 60s.
The last time a state of emergency was declared was in March 2012 to cope with devastating floods. This declaration will last for 30 days.
It gives special powers to emergency services to deal with "whatever eventualities may arise", Premier Barry O'Farrell says.
These include the right to order the public to leave or to enter an area, the right to demolish a building and prevents people from disobeying an order given under these powers.
It is an offence to obstruct or disobey these orders.
"We are planning for the worst, but hoping for the best," Mr O'Farrell says.
NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell has just declared a state of emergency to deal with bushfire crisis in NSW.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has spent 14 hours volunteering with the NSW Rural Fire Service and their efforts back burning at Bilpin overnight.
Mr Abbott, an RFS member of 13 years, helped from 6pm last night until 8am this morning with back burning around the small village of Bilpin, which is currently under threat from the Lithgow fire.
PM Tony Abbott with members of the Davidson fire brigade after helping with a backburining operation today near Bilpin, NSW. Photo: Laura Jayes/Sky News Australia
It seems the NSW Rural Fire Service's media man Anthony Clark can't escape the fires even when at home.
We are 76km from the closest fire front. This just landed in our yard. #NSWRFS #nswfires pic.twitter.com/Ezc5Vg5jeS
— Anthony Clark (@AnthonyClarkAU) October 20, 2013
Here is some more from Peter Hannam who has been keeping an eye on the weather forecast:
Wednesday is shaping up to be the next major test for fire authorities and communities at risk from the state's bushfires.
The Bureau of Meteorology on Sunday afternoon basically left Monday's forecasts unchanged and pared back slightly the expected heat for Sydney and regions to the west such as Penrith.
Sydney is still expecting 31 degrees on Monday, with 29 tipped for Tuesday but now 33 for Wednesday.
For Penrith, the outlook for Monday remains a scorching 38 degrees, with 35 on Tuesday and 35 again on Wednesday, the latter up 5 degrees from the earlier prediction.
While winds look likely to remain moderate on Monday and Tuesday, averages across the Sydney basin may range from 30 to 45 km/h by Wednesday.
The prospect for fire-dousing rain remains dim in the forecast period, with showers likely to bring only a few millimetres over at least the next week, the bureau predicts.
Lithgow, further to west, will see maximums of just below 30 degrees for each of the next three days. The rainfall outlook there is also disappointing.
Last Friday, Weatherzone was expecting regions to the west of the ranges to receive a bit more rain from the next trough. Lithgow, too, is now looking at five millimetres maximum over the coming week.
Amazing photo from the air taken by Channel Seven cameraman Paul Walker of the Lithgow fire which is posing the main threat this afternoon.
Fire to the east of Lithgow near Bells line of road. pic.twitter.com/bqNI82cT3i
— Paul Walker (@pdwnews) October 20, 2013
Peter Hannam reports that the real danger day for the NSW bushfire situation is now looking like Wednesday with forecasts for strong winds.
Penrith area looking really hot (and barely now rain) and wind averages up to 45 km/h http://t.co/hqcEYmHbJ9 #nswfires #SydneyFires
— Peter Hannam (@p_hannam) October 20, 2013
Firefighters backburning along Mt York Rd at Mt Victoria to stop fire coming over the ridge @9NewsSyd #nswfires pic.twitter.com/S3J6VdJqrr — Laura Tunstall (@LauraTunstall9) October 20, 2013
There is some good news with the Wyong area fire that posed a grave threat on Friday is now well under contorl.
It has burnt through some 2,800 hectares and destroyed property but crews now seem to have the upper hand.
Ruttleys Rd Fire - Swansea evacuation centre is now closed.
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) October 20, 2013
With helicopter sounds overhead & the appearance of firefighters in our street, it's time to pack the valuables I think #BlueMountains — Jon Dee (JonDee.com) (@JonDeeOz) October 20, 2013
Exhausted crews grab 5 mins rest, before more back burning on Mt York Rd in Blue Mountains @NewsTalk2UE #nswfires pic.twitter.com/SuM5DPZjNC — Keegan Buzza (@keeganbuzza) October 20, 2013
Down in the Southern Highlands, the Balmoral Village fire has now burnt 12,000 hectares and remains uncontained. It is as the second highest alert level of "watch and act" but forecasted north-westerly winds have the potential to allow the fire to breach containment lines, the RFS says.
If that does happen the townships of Alpine, Aylmerton, Hill Top, Yerrinbool and Bargo would come under threat.
There are 270 firefighters currently on scene trying to prevent that from happening, backburning to strengthen containment lines.
The NSW Rural Fire Service has just issued its latest advice for the Lithgow fire which is currently threatening the townships of Bell and burning around Dargan, Clarence and Bilpin.
"An Emergency Alert telephone warning message is being sent to the community of Bell," the RFS says.
"The community of Bell are advised to leave now if not prepared and travel west along the Bells Line of Road towards Lithgow. The Lithgow Workers Club is open as an Evacuation Centre."
NSW Rural Fire Service spokesman Alex Chesser has warned of a need for people living near bushfires to remain particularly vigilant.
"The message to the people out there is quite simple - we will not be able to contain the fires before the onset of this weather," he told ABC 24.
"People need to understand the risk is very real and they need to make appropriate decisions now, while there is still time, rather than leaving them and having to make them when you are threatened by fire.
Mt Tangory Fire: Fire activity has increased but remains within containment lines. Back burning operations are taking place. #nswfires — NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) October 20, 2013
Crews are working to restore power to more than 300 homes across the Blue Mountains after bushfires ripped through power poles and lines.
More than 250 Endeavour Energy staff were on the ground on Sunday working to restore power to 320 customers across Winmalee, Yellow Rock, Springwood, Hartley Vale and Lithgow.
As long as it is safe and fire conditions don’t deteriorate, Endeavour Energy said it expected power to be returned to the area on Sunday evening.
High temperatures and winds of up to 100 km/h have brought down trees and many kilometres of power lines, with fires burning 100 poles in the region, the energy provider said.
Local crews have been bolstered with additional staff from western Sydney to safely restore supply to those residents returning to their homes.
The communities of Mount Tomah and Berambing have been told to get out get out urgently and go to Richmond.
Others, like those in Bilpin Village, can choose to stay but could be cut off from power and telecommunication for several days.
People in Mount Irvine and Mount Wilson have been told it is too late to leave.
Residents of the Blue Mountains town of Bilpin are angry after receiving confusing signals about the risk from a nearby blaze which might have hindered local efforts to limit damage to their homes.
Peter Hannam reports the local community hall was packed for a briefing by local Rural Fire Service captain Bill Shields on Saturday afternoon explaining measures planned to protect the town when official mobile phone alerts started coming in telling residents to evacuate immediately.
“We've someone here telling us, 'we'd really appreciate your help,' and there are these messages coming in 'leave now',” said John, a resident and former RFS volunteer, who attended the gathering.
Her Majesty The Queen has just sent a message on the bushfire situation here. She's expressed great admiration for the work of fire fighters.
"I would like to convey my heartfelt sympathy to all those who have been affected by the devastating bushfires across New South Wales.
"My thoughts are with the many people who have lost their homes or livelihoods in the fires, and I have great admiration for the fire fighters, volunteers and emergency services officers who are working tirelessly to contain the situation.
While the current concern is for the tiny township of Bell, the entire Blue Mountains could come under threat if the forecast conditions arrive.
Property protection Bells Line of road. #Lithgow #WINNEWS_CW #nswfires @NSWFIREMEDIA pic.twitter.com/Fj1ueAbbTc — Murray McCloskey (@muzdog10) October 20, 2013
So far 208 homes have been destroyed since Thursday by bushfires, the RFS says.
There are 60 fires still burning across the state.
Click for more photos
NSW bushfires intensify in Blue Mountains
Firefighters tackle a bushfire in Winmalee in the Blue Mountains. Photo: Janie Barrett
Premier Barry O'Farrell has today been at the Rural Fire Service Headquarters in Lidcombe.
He has warned residents across the state to brace for the possibility of mass evacuations in coming days amid dire weather forecasts.
‘‘The state’s in for challenging days ahead,’’ he said.
Good afternoon.
Hot, dry conditions are again causing concerns with four major, threatening bushfires burning in NSW.
The greatest concern is for the Lithgow fire which is currently threatening the tiny township of Bell.
Residents there have been told to evacuate with an emergency warning now in place.
Three other fires are burning under the second highest alert level of "watch and act".
Those fires are at Mount Victoria and Springwood in the Blue Mountains and Balmoral village in the Southern Highlands.
Conditions are only expected to get worse as the afternoon progresses.
NSW Rural Fire Services Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says the conditions are the worst experienced in decades and no relief is expected for days.
‘‘Conditions are going to be far more concerning over the current days than was otherwise expected,’’ he said. ‘‘They are in a league of their own."
We will keep you up to date with all the developments as they happen.
