17/10/2013
Major Fire Updates
Emergency Warning - State Mine Fire (Lithgow) 17/10/13 13:34
Posted: 17/10/2013
An Emergency Warning is in place for a large bush fire is burning out of control in the Marrangaroo Army Range and the Newnes State Forest north of Lithgow.
(This fire was previously called the "Fire Trail 60 Fire" or "The Army Fire".)
Current Situation
The fire is burning near Oaky Park, Morts Estate, Clarence, Dargan, Doctors Gap and Hartley. An emergency alert telephone message has been sent to residents in these areas.
The fire has now crossed the Bells Line of Road and is out of control. It has burnt more than 1000 hectares in the past 24 hours. More than 100 firefighters supported by aircraft are working in increasingly deteriorating conditions.
Advice
If you are in the Oaky Park or Morts Estate area
The fire is burning near homes in Victoria Street, Brewery Lane, Atkinson Street and Brook Street at Oaky Park.
Seek shelter as the fire impacts. Protect yourself from the heat of the fire.
Be alert to burning embers. Put out any spot fires which start on your property.
Firefighters are working in the area.
An Emergency Alert telephone warning message has been sent to homes in this area.
If you are in the Clarence and Dargan areas
Homes are expected to come under threat.
This fire is spotting ahead of the main front.
Be alert to burning embers. Put out any spot fires which start on your property.
Seek shelter as the fire impacts. Protect yourself from the heat of the fire.
An Emergency Alert telephone warning message has been sent to homes in this area.
If you are in the Doctors Gap and Hartley (Browns Gap and Hartley Valley Road) areas
Homes are expected to come under threat.
This fire is spotting ahead of the main front.
Be alert to burning embers. Put out any spot fires which start on your property.
Seek shelter as the fire impacts. Protect yourself from the heat of the fire.
An Emergency Alert telephone warning message has been sent to homes in this area.
Evacuation centres are being established at
Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens - Bells Line of Road, Mount Tomah
Lithgow Workers Club - 3 Tank Street, Lithgow
As a precaution, Zig Zag Primary School has been closed for the day. Parents should contact the school for further information.
Smoke is affecting the areas of Oaky Park, Clarence, Dargan, Bell, Doctors Gap and Hartley. Smoke from this fire is also drifting across the Sydney basin.
Continue to monitor the situation by checking this website regularly. Follow the advice of firefighters in the area.
This fire is also affecting roads and transport:
Bells Line of Road is closed between Lithgow and Bell in both directions.
The Darling Causeway is closed northbound at the Great Western Highway in Mount Victoria.
Motorists are advised to use the Great Western Highway as an alternative.
State Mine Gully Road has been closed until further notice.
The Central to Lithgow train (Blue Mountains Line) is being replaced by buses between Mount Victoria and Lithgow.
As a result of the closure, passengers travelling to Bell Station should speak to station staff at Lithgow or Mount Victoria.
Both train passengers and motorists are advised to allow extra travel time.
Other information
If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Continue to stay up to date with the bush fire situation by checking 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.
If you live in the area but are away from home, it may not be safe to return to your property.
Motorists and travellers are advised to check www.livetraffic.com or www.131500.com.au before travelling.
Roads may be closed without warning.
The next update on this fire will be issued by 2:30pm Thursday 17 October or if the situation changes.
