Scroll down for updates from Sunday
Two houses have been confirmed lost to the Pappinbarra Rd fire but fears remain that the number may rise.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Rural Fire Service Mid Coast District manager Kam Baker declared Sunday’s conditions were “the worst possible fire conditions to a level that exceeded our expectations”.
He confirmed the Papinbarra fire, west of Wauchope, had claimed two houses but believes more buildings have been destroyed.
“Due to the efforts of all involved over the weekend we were able manage these fires through the worst possible fire conditions to a level that exceeded our expectations”, Incident Controller Superintendant Kam Baker said.
“There are reports of two houses being destroyed in the Pappinbarra Rd area late Sunday afternoon when the predicted fire conditions were at their worst.
“RFS Bushfire Impact Assessment (BIA) teams will be undertaking surveys of the area over the coming days to determine exactly what has been damaged or destroyed.
“Some other outbuildings throughout the firegrounds are also reported to have been destroyed or damaged, with that extent, yet to be assessed by our BIA teams.
Several Strike Teams from outside the district where used on Sunday to bolster the local firefighting effort with extra fire-fighters and trucks.
An emergency warning was issued for Pappinbarra Rd, Lower Pappinbarra.
Six “watch and act” directives were issued. For Pappinbarra Rd, Beechwood; Barnards, Giro; Thunderbolts Way, Giro; Mount Pleasant Rd, Wherrol Flat; Howes Creek, Terreel; Goochs Rd, Myall River.
There were 12 fires at “advice” level and in total, 265 firefighters were involved on Saturday and 410 firefighters on Sunday.
“There is still a lot of work to be done over the coming weeks or until we get a significant rain event that will ultimately wet the landscape enough where it will not support fire,” Superintendant Kam Baker said “
“I would encourage all residents to remain vigilant and continue to be prepared in the event that a fire should start near their property”.
Sunday’s updates
9.44pm: A bush fire is impacting the area of Ballengara Road, Pipers Creek Road, Spring Hill Road and Rainbows End Road, Dondingalong, 10km south of Kempsey. Properties are under direct threat.
Residents in the vicinity of Ballengara Road and Pipers Creek Road should act immediately and SEEK SHELTER as the fire arrives. Protect yourself from the heat of the fire. It is too late to leave.
Under the current fire conditions, fires are erratic, uncontrollable and fast-moving.
People in the area need to seek shelter as the fire front arrives. It is too late to leave.
9.37pm: Two fires are burning to the west of Wauchope in the vicinity of Pappinbarra Rd, Beechwood moving in a northerly direction parallel with Pappinbarra Rd towards Beechwood.
A southerly change has impacted the area and the fire is now burning north towards Bellangry Rd.
Although conditions are easing, residents in the vicinity of Pappinbarra Rd in Hollisdale, Lower Pappinbarra and Beechwood should remain vigilant and prepared to implement their bush fire survival plans.
Residents in the vicinity of Bellangry Rd and Pappinbarra Rd in Hollisdale, Lower Pappinbarra and Beechwood should monitor the situation and be prepared to implement their bush fire survival plans.
Follow the directions of firefighters on the ground.
Roads may be closed at short notice.
9.10pm: If you have any doubt about the community spirit in Wauchope, listen to Rob Hamilton explain how the Timbertown Resort and Motel has helped out – and it’s just one example:
8.45pm: Wauchope Gazette journalist Letitia Faitpatrick spoke to Pappinbarra woman Carol Ashfield who is unsure whether her home west of Wauchope is still standing.
8.10pm: The toll of properties lost in the Pappinbarra fire now stands at unconfirmed eight, says Wauchope Show Society president Neil Coombes.
7.57pm: A bush fire is burning in the area of Ballengara Road, Spring Hill Road and Rainbows End Road, Dondingalong, 10km south of Kempsey. Properties are under direct threat.
Residents in the vicinity of Ballengara Road should act immediately and SEEK SHELTER as the fire arrives. Protect yourself from the heat of the fire. It is too late to leave.
Under the current fire conditions, fires are erratic, uncontrollable and fast-moving.
People in the area need to seek shelter as the fire front arrives. It is too late to leave.
7.30pm: There are 4,550 Essential Energy customers are without power in the Camden Haven, Cathie, Kew and Dunbogan areas following a large tree falling over powerlines on the shoulder of Ocean Drive and Koonwarra Street.
The tree has brought down both high and low voltage lines with crews on site preparing for repairs. Power went out at 6.24pm and we do not have an estimated time of restoration for these customers yet.
There are also just under 1,000 customers currently without power in Timberidge, Dahlsford and parts of Transit Hill due to a tree coming down over a pole next to the roundabout at Pacific Drive and Timberidge with crews responding.
Customers are reminded to stay at least 8 metres away from fallen powerlines and call Essential Energy on 132080 to report damage or lines down.
7.15pm: The Pappinbarra fire continues to move in a south-easterly direction parallel with Pappinbarra Rd.
A southerly change is expected to impact the area of the fire which will change the direction of the fires path to the north towards Bellangry Rd.
Residents in the area should seek shelter as the fire front arrives.
7.10pm: Powerlines are down on St Albans Way and there’s a blackout in parts of Laurieton. Emergency sirens can be heard frequently.
6.40pm: Timbertown Resort and Motel are offering free accommodation tonight for people from Pappinbarra and the surrounding areas affected by the fires. Call 65860699
6pm: A water drop pictured from Pipers Creek.
5.57pm: Dozens of properties are expected to be damaged as out of control bushfires continue to grip the state.
Rural Fire Service superintendent Cam Baker says one property has been lost in the Pappinbarra Road fire and around another 20 homes are under threat.
"We've currently got a very fast moving and quickly escalating fire at Pappinbarra Road near Hollisdale", Superintendent Baker told the ABC.
"We've had a report of a structural loss at this stage. Crews are trying to gain the upper hand, weather conditions are not good for us at the moment".
5.30pm: Power is out at 267 homes in Wauchope, central areas of Port Macquarie and North Shore.
4.10pm UPDATE
FROM THE NSW RFS
Pappinbarra fires
Two fires are burning to the west of Wauchope in the vicinity of Pappinbarra Road, Beechwood moving in a south easterly direction towards Beechwood. The fire is spreading quickly under worsening conditions.
The fires are impacting a number of isolated rural properties in the area.
Firefighters supported by water bombing aircraft are protecting a number of isolated rural properties in the area that are being impacted by the fire.
Residents in the vicinity of Pappinbarra Road in Hollisdale, Lower Pappinbarra and Beechwood are advised to SEEK SHELTER as the fire front arrives. Protect yourself from the heat of the fire.
An emergency alert telephone warning has been sent to residents in the areas of Hollisdale, Lower Pappinbarra and Beechwood.
The fire is burning under EXTREME fire danger conditions. Under these conditions fires may spread quickly, cut roads and threaten properties.
Meanwhile the community of Wauchope is rallying together to offer accommodation to people affected by evacuations, via the What’s On in Wauchope Facebook page.
- Dondingalong fire
A bush fire is burning in the area of Spring Hill Road and Rainbows End Road, Dondingalong, 10km south of Kempsey. Properties are under direct threat.
People in the area need to seek shelter as the fire front arrives. It is too late to leave.
The fire is burning in Severe fire danger conditions. Under these conditions, fires are uncontrollable, unpredictable and fast-moving.
3pm UPDATE
Residents of Lower Pappinbarra have been issued with a critical warning update via phone.
A resident said the warning informed that the grass fire was close by, it was too late to evacuate safely and to stay indoors awaiting further instructions.
“It’s 50+ degrees on our back verandah and the smell of smoke is in the air,” she said.
The alert level has now escalated to an Emergency Warning.
The grass fire is being controlled by Rural Fire personnel.
A nearby bush fire on Pappinbarra Road near Beechwood is under control.
2pm UPDATE
A grass fire is burning out of control in the Lower Pappinbarra area. Both the grass fire and bush fire nearby are listed as “watch and act” advice level by the NSW Rural Fire Service.
On the Port Macquarie News Facebook page a resident reported receiving a critical warning via their home phone.
“Too late to evacuate have to stay at home inside and wait for further directions,” the resident said.
Another resident said earlier today they had pumped water to the house tanks, packed what they needed and were prepared to evacuate.
A few hours ago, other residents reported they had been asked to leave their property and were making arrangements to stay in Port Macquarie.
NOON UPDATE
The fire burning to the west of Wauchope in the vicinity of Pappinbarra Road, Beechwood is moving in an easterly direction towards Beechwood, according the the NSW Rural Fire Service.
“The fire is currently under control but with Extreme fire danger conditions being experienced this will strain containment lines,” states the current major fire update information web page.
“Strong winds and low humidity are forecast. Under these conditions the fire may spread quickly, cut roads and threaten properties.
“If your plan is to leave or you are not prepared to the highest level, leave NOW if it is safe to do so.”
Advice:
- If your plan is to leave or you are not prepared to the highest level, leave NOW if it is safe to do so.
- Avoid bush fire prone areas, such as areas of thick bushland or paddocks.
- Roads may be closed throughout the day at short notice.
- If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
- Continue to stay up to date with the bush fire situation by checking http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au, listening to your local radio station or by calling the NSW RFS Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737.
- For information on road closures, check http://livetraffic.rta.nsw.gov.au. Roads may be closed without warning.
10am Update
Sunday’s fire danger rating is listed as Extreme by the NSW Rural Fire Service for the Greater Port Macquarie area.
There are a number of fires burning in the Greater Taree, Wauchope and Great Lakes areas. At 9am these fires were listed as “under control” but emergency services are concerned that the situation could change quickly given the extreme weather conditions forecast for the remainder of Sunday.
The bushfire burning on Pappinbarra Road Beechwood was upgraded to a Watch and Act shortly before 10am, with the fire burning 110 hectares.
“While some of these fires are contained, under the extreme fire danger conditions forecast, these fires will be difficult to control and pose a very high risk of escaping containment lines. Of key concern are the Goochs Road fire west of Bulahdelah, Howes Creek fire, north west of Bulahdelah, the Mount Pleasant Road fire north west of Taree and the Pappinbarra Road fire north west of Wauchope,” the NSW Rural Fire Service advises.
“If these fires escape containment, they will move very quickly and will pose a risk to life and property. People in the Greater Taree, Wauchope and Great Lakes areas should make preparations for their safety soon as possible. Stay informed and have a plan.”
Across the state 76 bush or grass fires are burning.
Catastrophic fire conditions are forecast for the Greater Hunter, Central Ranges and North Western parts of the state and a total fire ban remains in place. Residents who live in areas affected by catastrophic conditions will receive messages and text message updates.
“If you received an Emergency Alert message on your phone, or are in a bush fire prone area, consider relocating to a safer location during the hottest and driest part of the day such as a major town that is well away from bush land or open paddocks,”
“Avoid travelling during the worst of the conditions. If you need to travel, use main roads and highways. Report fires to Triple Zero (000).”
Monitor fire activity near you via the NSW RFS Fires Near Me page or the Fires Near Me app.