NSW: Firefighters readying themselves for afternoon wind change

AAP General News (Australia)
12-14-2006
NSW: Firefighters readying themselves for afternoon wind change

SYDNEY, Dec 14 AAP - Firefighters battling a bushfire in rugged country near Tumut,
in southern NSW, are preparing for a wind change that could force the fire over control
lines.

Authorities say the fire is burning out of control in the Bondo pine plantation, 30km
north-east of Tumut.

The fire has burnt out about 13,000ha of pine plantation in the Bondo, Billapaloola
and Buccleuch State Forests.

The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) has advised people in Argalong and the Upper Goobragandra
River Valley to prepare today for ember attacks and flames.

More than 300 firefighters, along with 12 water bombing aircraft, will work on the
fire over the next 24 hours, the RFS says.

RFS spokesman Cameron Wade said the Bureau of Meteorology had forecast stronger winds
around 2pm (AEDT) today which may push the fire across containment lines.

Firefighters had been readying themselves for the worsening wind conditions, and extra
resources had been rushed to the area, he said.

They were now "waiting to see what happened", Mr Wade added.

A total fire ban is in place for much of NSW today.

The Rural Fire Service has issued a total fire ban for the greater Sydney region, Illawarra
and Shoalhaven, the far south coast, Monaro Alpine and the Southern Ranges.

The ban is also in place for the lower central west plains, southern slopes, eastern,
southern and northern riverina as well as the south-western and far western regions of
the state.

Meanwhile, a hot day is forecast for the greater Sydney region, with temperatures expected
to peak at 37 degrees celsius in the western suburbs and a high of 30 forecast for the
CBD.

Temperatures in other NSW cities and towns, including Wagga Wagga, Bathurst, Newcastle
and Bega should also reach the low 30s, while a top of 38 degrees is predicted for Dubbo.

AAP ab/hn/jt/de

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES NSW RFS

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