Wildfires swept through thousands of hectares of bushland in Australia’s most-populous state on Tuesday, prompting highest-level evacuation alerts for communities on the central coast of New South Wales as a severe heatwave worsened conditions.
The alert covered the Phegans Bay and Woy Woy area, about 45 kilometers north of Sydney, a region that forms part of a coastal population catchment of more than 350,000 people. Authorities urged residents to leave immediately where a safe path was available.
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“Leave now if the path is clear towards Woy Woy,” the state’s Rural Fire Service said on its website as crews fought multiple blazes across the region.
As many as 16 homes were destroyed in the central coast fires, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported. More than 50 bushfires were burning across New South Wales late Monday, officials said, including a major blaze in the Upper Hunter area that had burned almost 10,000 hectares and was also at the highest emergency rating.
A heatwave that pushed temperatures to about 42 degrees Celsius in parts of the state compounded the fire risk, the Bureau of Meteorology said. Dry vegetation, strong winds and high temperatures are typical conditions that allow bushfires to spread rapidly.
“Please look out for each other and follow advice from authorities,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement as federal and state resources mobilized to assist firefighting and evacuation efforts.
Fire services and local councils issued warnings and evacuation orders for suburbs and towns on the coast and in inland areas under threat. Emergency accommodation and relief centres were stood up to support displaced residents and those forced to leave homes at short notice.
Residents were advised to follow official channels for the latest information, avoid roads affected by smoke and fire, and check on neighbours who may need assistance, particularly older people and those with limited mobility.
Authorities have warned of a heightened bushfire risk this Australian summer following several quieter seasons. The warning renewed memories of the 2019-2020 “Black Summer” fires, which burned an area roughly the size of Turkey and claimed 33 lives, destroyed thousands of homes and had severe environmental and economic impacts.
State firefighting agencies deployed aircraft and additional crews to contain the blazes, while volunteer brigades formed the backbone of local responses. Officials cautioned that with forecast hot, dry and windy conditions persisting, containment would be difficult in several areas.
Residents in affected zones were urged to stay updated via official alerts, register for emergency messages, and use planned escape routes. Authorities stressed that delaying evacuation when an emergency warning is issued can put lives at risk.
Emergency services continued to monitor the situation as communities on New South Wales’ central coast and inland districts prepared for further fire activity in the days ahead.
By Abdiwahab Ahmed
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
