Firefighters are racing to protect homes as an out-of-control blaze in the New South Wales Central West is upgraded to emergency level for the third time in three days.
The blaze which has damaged some homes continues to spread at a rapid pace in the Hill End area, about 80 kilometres north of Bathurst.
The Tambaroora, Alpha Rd blaze has grown by more than 8,000 hectares since last night.
The fire, believed to be caused by lightning on Sunday afternoon, is now 12,500ha in size.
It is burning in isolated and rugged terrain in the vicinity of about 20 homes, but it is unclear how much damage has been done.
Embers are flying far ahead of the fire front and may impact homes first.
The Rural Fire Service said weather conditions deteriorated further and faster than expected day.
"We're doing everything we can. We've got three large air tankers assigned to this fire, we've got a Chinook helicopter, Blackhawk helicopters," RFS Commissioner Rob Rodgers said.
"We're not going to stop the fire but it's about giving those properties as much of a chance of surviving," he said.
David Campbell has lost everything on his farm, located about 9 kilometres outside Hill End, except his shearing shed and house.
All of his feed is gone, as are all of his fences.
"You just can't stop it — it's just heartbreaking," he said.
Fortunately his livestock were safe on another property, but he said he would have to start from scratch to build his farm back to what it was.
Ember attacks pose growing threat
The blaze is spreading rapidly in an easterly direction and has crossed Sallys Flat Road, with spot fires starting ahead of the main fire front.
There is intense fire activity at Sallys Flat Road and Doughertys Junction Road where people are being told to shelter in place as the fire approaches because it is too late to leave.
Crews have a busy night ahead as a south-westerly wind change is expected to push the fire and smoke to the north-east, towards Pyramul.
Those in the areas of Hill End Road, Posey Hill Road and Sallys Flat are being warned of potential ember attacks.
Firefighters and heavy machinery are working in the Lawlers Flat area to try and slow the spread.
Commissioner Rodgers said the fire had begun moving into terrain with high fuel loads which was hard to access.
"This fire is throwing up quite a lot of embers and starting new fires," Mr Rodgers said.
"That becomes quite dangerous because a long part of the fire suddenly becomes the head of the fire," he said.
RFS Spokesperson Kennedy Porter said winds are increasing, temperatures are getting hotter and fire activity is worsening.
"Fire conditions are erratic," Ms Porter said.
Prepare or leave early
Evacuation centres have been established at Club Mudgee and the Bathurst Regional Council Chambers.
The Mudgee showground is also open for livestock to be moved to.
There are a large number of fire trucks and volunteers on the ground being supported by heavy plant and aircraft.
"They're making every attempt to protect property ahead of the fire and also strategically putting in place containment lines," she said.
The fire was downgraded to Watch and Act level overnight, but has again been upgraded to Emergency level.
Ms Porter said it was now making a "substantial run".
High fire danger conditions are forecast over the coming days.
"It's going to take an awfully long time to even think about getting containment on this fire," Commissioner Rodgers said.
Three community meetings are being held on Thursday (March 9) to provide further information on what to expect in the coming days and how best to prepare:
- 11am Royal Hall, Beyers Ave, Hill End
- 11am Pyramul Hall, Pyramul
- 12.30pm Ilford Hall, Ilford Hall
Three total fire bans remain in place on Wednesday for the north western, central ranges, and greater Hunter districts and a high fire danger rating is also in place for these areas.
While the Tambaroora bushfire remains a focus on Wednesday, RFS is closely monitoring the 36 advice level fires across the state.
