Residents told to bunker down as Curraweela fire threatens homes

Craigs Road fire, Curraweela - Goulburn Post - March 16, 2023

A fire burning out of control is threatening 40 properties north of Goulburn with residents in parts of Curraweela told it is too late to leave their homes.

NSW Rural Fire Service has advised those who are yet to leave to seek shelter as the fast-moving grass fire hampers control efforts.

The fire in the small rural township is reportedly around 260 hectares in size and growing.

The fire was raised to emergency levels on Thursday afternoon, with hot temperatures and high winds causing it to spread easterly.

The Craigs Road grass fire near Taralga is producing a lot of smoke. It's visible from the International Space Station and is blowing over Picton and Wollongoing. Smoke could settle in southern Sydney tonight. #nswrfs https://t.co/6t7327gCdV

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) March 16, 2023

NSW RFS report the fire has crossed Taralga Road and is burning towards Jerrong Road and Wombeyan Caves Road.

"If you are in the Curraweela area of Craigs Road, Jerrong Road and Wombeyan Caves Road, you are in danger," RFS has warned.

"It is now too late to leave. Seek shelter now inside a solid structure such as a house."

Water bombing at Craigs Road fire, Curraweela - Goulburn Post - Thursday, March 16

Greg Allan, NSW RFS spokesman, said they had already received unconfirmed reports of property loss.

"Until our official building impact assessment teams can get onto the fire ground safely, we won't know the number of structures or the type or the level of damage," he said.

Mr Allen said more than 80 firefighters supported by water bombing aircraft were doing what they could to control the blaze.

He said it did not currently pose any threat to Goulburn, which is around 60 kilometres to the south.

The large Curraweela fire north of Taralga has been fanned by strong winds. Picture by RFS.

Smoke from the Curraweela fire is highly visible at Taralga. It is now at emergency level. Picture by Anne Capplis.

The fire at Curraweela north of Taralga is burning out of control and threatening properties. Property owner Anne Capplis captured this photo from 5km away on the Taralga Road.

Photo by Vlad Balashov.

The view from Wendy Husband's Curraweela property.

Upper Lachlan Shire Council has closed the Taralga to Oberon Road at Taralga. Picture by Anne Capplis.

A thermal composite of the Curraweela fire. Image courtesy RFS.

The fire broke out just after 11am on Craigs Road, Curraweela, some 20kms north of Taralga and 35kms northeast of Crookwell.

It is unknown what started the blaze.

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