Families lose everything weeks from Christmas as 76 fires rip through the NSW Central Coast
A dozen homes have been destroyed and families have lost everything just weeks away from Christmas after a fast-moving fire ripped through the NSW Central Coast.
About 250 firefighters, 50 trucks and nine aircraft battled the blaze yesterday which multiplied rapidly due to hot and windy conditions in the region.
Close to 150 firefighters remain on the ground today fighting 76 fires that are still burning, as 40km/h wind gusts and hot conditions threaten to blow the fires further north.
FOLLOW EMERGENCY BUSHFIRE UPDATES HERE.
lose to 150 firefighters remain on the ground today fighting 76 fires. 9News
READ MORE: Shark drones to protect surfers at unpatrolled beaches after fatal attacks
Of the 76 fires still burning on the Central Coast, more than 20 remain uncontained.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said more than 12 homes have been destroyed during an "incredibly difficult" 24-hour period, however, that number could grow.
"That's devastating news in the run-up to Christmas," Minns said.
Minns said "scores" of people have needed emergency accommodation, including at the Gosford RSL which has remained open for the past 24 hours.
"As difficult and horrible and unexpected as the last 24 hours have been, they were prepared for this to happen and to get as much as they could in the car and evacuate in time," Minns said.
The premier said it was important to note nobody has lost their life in the fires.
He urged residents to listen to emergency services and to remain vigilant as the conditions could worsen.
A NSW Rural Fire Service truck passes a car burned out by the Koolewong bushfire. Sitthixay Ditthavong
Of the 76 fires still burning on the Central Coast, over 20 remain uncontained. 9News
READ MORE: Man charged over Sydney shopping centre stabbing
"We can replace homes, we can replace buildings, we can't replace people. I can't stress that enough," Minns said.
NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Commissioner Trent Curtin said crews are still concerned about Koolewong, between Gosford and Woy Woy, which was heavily impacted by the flames yesterday.
"Erratic" winds today could make it difficult for crews to contain the ongoing blazes, he said.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said families have lost everything in the lead-up to Christmas. 9News
Curtin warned the fire danger zone could widen as the day progresses.
The high winds yesterday caused embers to jump over a one-kilometre stretch of water near Woy Woy.
"Embers can travel over great distances," Curtin said.
"They can create fires well ahead of the main fire."
At least a dozen homes have been damaged or destroyed after a fire suddenly spread on the NSW Central Coast. Nine
Crews still fighting dozens of fires
A 48-hectare bushfire is raging in the Lake Macquarie area, while an emergency warning was issued in the Newcastle area over concerns there was a threat to a nearby nursing home.
Dozens of RFS crews remain on standby and aerial appliances are ready to be deployed if the conditions worsen in the Koolewong area too.
The Koolewong fire has already razed through 120-hectares and is yet to be controlled.
The main focus for firefighters today is to protect nearby properties as the wind changes.
Residents waking up today have been urged to check the latest updates on the Hazards Near Me app.
Natural disaster declared
The federal and state government have declared a natural disaster for six local government areas after the bushfires destroyed or damaged a dozen homes.
Disaster support will be offered for impacted residents on the NSW Central Coast, Mid Coast, in the Upper Hunter, Muswellbrook, Warrumbungle and Dubbo.
"Bushfires like this are very distressing and my thoughts are with everyone that has been impacted," Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said.
"Conditions yesterday were extremely challenging and I'd like to thank all our emergency services, crews are fighting fires and keeping our communities safe.
"The Albanese and Minns Governments are working together to get support to communities impacted by these bushfires as quickly as possible."
The disaster assistance includes emergency accommodation, grants, loans and other financial support.
Homes destroyed on Central Coast
By yesterday evening, NSW Premier Chris Minns said at least 12 homes had been damaged or destroyed, and potential lightning strikes and another wind change overnight were posing a huge threat.
Fifty firetrucks, 250 firefighters and nine waterbombing planes were working to contain the Koolewong blaze Sitthixay Ditthavong
Minns said 50 firetrucks, 250 firefighters and nine waterbombing planes were working to contain the Koolewong blaze and some 1100 firefighters would work through the night across the state.Residents were being told to take shelter, and already about 60 people were hunkering down at an evacuation centre set up at Gosford RSL on the Central Coast Highway. Many others had self-evacuated to other areas, Minns said.
'Everything's gone'
Homes dotted in thick bushland on the picturesque part of the NSW coast had no hope as the fire quickly engulfed them yesterday.
Flames licked the tops of tall gums and acrid black smoke blanketed neighbouring streets.
People in parts of Koolewong, between Gosford and Woy Woy, were told to leave as an apparent change in wind direction suddenly sent the blaze towards homes. Nine
Premier Chris Minns told 9News it was "devastating for them on the eve of Christmas for this to happen". Nine
Tony Stellino knew he had already lost his home before even being allowed to return last night.
"I went out there and had a look too and [thought] oh my god … it's on top of us," he said.
"We made it, we're still here, we'll start again.
"Everything's gone, you know, memories, all our clothes, all our possessions."
Minns told 9News it was "devastating for them on the eve of Christmas for this to happen".
"A confronting day … this is a warning for everyone to follow the advice … we need to make sure we do everything we possibly can to protect lives," Minns said.
Homes dotted in thick bushland on the picturesque NSW coast had no hope as the fire quickly engulfed them. Sitthixay Ditthavong
Lightning over Koolewong, part of a band of strikes threatening to spark new blazes. Sitthixay Ditthavong
New threats throughout the night
The Koolewong fire started in a park area about 1pm, RFS Commissioner Trent Curtin said.
A combination of strong winds, hot conditions and steep land with difficult access for fire crews made for "prime conditions for the fire to spread rapidly".
"The fire moved very, very quickly into properties," Curtin said.
"We issued a watch and act [alert] and it escalated very quickly to an emergency warning."
The fire was downgraded to a watch and act about 6pm, as conditions began to ease. But residents were told to be on high alert.
Changing weather through the night posed a new threat.
A band of lightning was expected to hit the area early in the evening, threatening to spark new fires.
A combination of strong winds, hot conditions and steep land with difficult access for fire crews made for "prime conditions for the fire to spread rapidly". Nine
Katie Greene was devastated when four of her neighbours' homes burnt down around her home in Koolewong. Sitthixay Ditthavong
A wind change was then forecasted for between 2am and 5am that authorities feared would make firefighting capabilities difficult.
"We are expecting some changes in the wind so that will create very challenging conditions for firefighters," Curtin said.
The RFS was using a military Chinook helicopter to help soak the Koolewong fire. It is the only waterbombing aircraft in Australia that can continue to operate at night.
"The Chinook helicopter will continue bombing operations as long as wind and weather permits throughout the night, to continue to suppress that fire and protect communities," Curtin said.
Locals were urged to leave their burning properties as the fire spread rapidly. Nine
A helicopter was seen dumping large loads of water over the firezone. Nine
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese sent a message of support to residents and firefighters dealing with the blaze.
"Please look out for each other and follow advice from authorities," he said.
"Thank you to all our emergency services and volunteers on the ground and in the air.
"We stand ready to assist the NSW government."
Video showed the intensity of the inferno as it tore through homes adjacent to the train line at Koolewong.
Brisbane Water Drive was closed in both direction between The Boulevarde at Woy Woy and Glenrock Parade at Tascott/Point Clare.
Trains on the Central Coast and Newcastle Line were cancelled between Gosford and the Hawkesbury River. due to the fire's proximity to the train line. Nine
Inferno tears through bushland in the Hunter Valley
Some 75 bushfires were burning across the state as of yesterday afternoon, with 19 of those uncontained.
A total of 1100 firefighters and 300 fire trucks were on the ground battling the various blazes.
A watch and act was in place for a fire at Bulahdelah, which has burned through more than 2500 hectares since Thursday.
Residents in part of the rural Goulburn River National Park were told to take cover as a large bushfire burned through the Merriwa River Valley.
It was too late to leave for residents in Baerami, Baerami Creek, Widden, Yarrawa and Kerrabee, the RFS said yesterday afternoon.
People were told to seek shelter inside a solid structure, like a house, as firefighters and a waterbombing plane tried to slow the spread of the fire.
People in nearby Worondi Creek Road were advised to enact their bushfire survival plans and prepare.
Evacuation centres were open at the Merriwa RSL Club, the Merriwa Showground, which has space for animals and cattle, the Denman RSL Club, and the Denman Pony Club.
Temperatures across NSW soared yesterday, with parts of Sydney nudging above 40 degrees.
Penrith in Sydney's west recorded a high of 41.7 degrees just before 3pm.
Conditions at Sydney Airport reached 39.2 degrees at 12.30pm.
Extreme fire danger is forecast for much of the Hunter Valley, Greater Sydney, Illawarra and Central Coast regions.
DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
