'Catastrophic' fire threat in NSW - Kiwis to Help 8th January

[JennyLeez]

More than 20 uncontained fires are raging across NSW as thousands of firefighters remain on standby in the face of some of the worst fire conditions in the state's history.
As the mercury began its steady climb this morning there were 100 fires burning in NSW.
Twenty-one of these fires were uncontained, said NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons.
"Fortunately none of these fires are posing any immediate threat," he said.
"But clearly, under today's conditions, we are concerned with those and we will be monitoring them very carefully."
More than 1500 firefighters worked overnight to control the blazes.
There it a total fire ban on the entire state on Tuesday with temperatures in the state's far west predicted to hit 45 degrees, while in Sydney the mercury is forecast to climb to 43 degrees - making it the third highest temperature on record.
People living in Shoalhaven, the Illawarra and the southern ranges face the most risk.
"We are shaping up for one of the worst fire danger days on record," Comm Fitzsimmons said this morning.
"You don't get conditions worse than this, we are at the catastrophic level and clearly in those areas leaving early is your safest option."
Overnight more than a million people were called by telephone or by SMS to reinforce the leave early message.
Com Fitzsimmons said all precautions had been taken.
"Literally, thousand and thousands of firefighters will be on standby today, the aircraft availability will be up around 100 and they will all be at the ready to deal with any new outbreak of fire," he said.
Salvation Army director of emergency services Norm Archer said the organisation had mobilised its resources overnight and had 87 teams on standby across the state.
"The next few days are looking ominous," he said in a statement.
"Many communities may need support should fires occur and we are poised and ready to provide assistance if the need should arise."
Mr Archer urged people in fire danger areas to follow the directions provided by authorities about protection from hot weather and getting out early.
"The Salvation Army would ask people to pay particular attention to their elderly relatives who are living alone and those suffering sickness at this time," he said.
"It's important regular contact be maintained as we move through this difficult period."
Mr Archer said children were also at risk.
"Don't just assume people are OK, check on them and make contact," he added.

A team of New Zealand firefighters will head to Australia to help Tasmanians battling bush fires caused by extreme heat.
A formal request was received last night to help the firefighting efforts and 12 Kiwi firemen will leave Auckland tomorrow for Australia, a National Rural Fire Authority spokeswoman said.
NZHerald.co.nz
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10857862

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[Suezy]

Australia bushfires raging out of control
By: Newstalk ZB staff, ARN, AAP | International News | Tuesday January 8 2013 12:25

Firefighters and water-bombing aircraft are working together to protect 10 properties in southern New South Wales as an out-of-control fire bears down on the region.

The fire has reached homes at Carlaminda near Cooma and people have been urged to take shelter inside because it's too late to leave in safety.

The fire is also heading towards about 20 properties in the nearby Kybeyan valley.

Residents in the valley are being advised to leave and head towards Nimmitabel.

New South Wales Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says they're doing all they can for the residents.

"The latest advice is now, that fire is impacting on that village. Firefighters are in there, working on property protection.

"We've dispatched an additional number of aircraft to assist in that fire-fighting effort."

A fire near Wagga Wagga has also breached its containment and extra resources are being deployed to try to bring that back under control.

CAMPERS FORCED OUT

On New South Wales' south coast, some campers who've ignored warnings are now being told they must leave their campsite.

The region has been given a catastrophic fire warning.

Shoalhaven City Council Mayor Joanna Gash has told Australian media some people haven't been heeding the advice.

"There was also one camping area - Bendeela - which is in the gorge at Kangaroo Valley, we've asked people to move (out of) there.

"Most people have been very obliging and they have gone, the ones who didn't go, we are going back to them this morning and saying 'please, just leave your things there and go into town'."

STRANDED VISITORS ESCORTED OUT

Visitors stranded on the Tasman Peninsula by Tasmania's bushfires are being led out of the area under police escort.

Five convoys, totalling around 395 cars and 750 people, have moved out of the Nubeena area in the past 24 hours.

Police say around 500 cars and 1,500 people remain at Nubeena, on the west coast of the peninsula, which has served as a haven for thousands during the fires and they hope to have more convoys during the day.

Meanwhile, more than 550 houses have been searched and no bodies found.

NEW ZEALAND ASSISTS

New Zealand is sending 12 people across the Tasman to help fight Australia's bush fires.

National Rural Fire Authority spokesman Murray Dudfield says a formal request was made late last night to help with fire fighting efforts in Tasmania.

"They've got a couple of fires in the back country of southern Tasmania that they need some assistance with so we've had that request from the Tasmanian forestry commission and Parks and Wildlife."

Mr Dudfield says the team is likely to leave tomorrow.

EXTRA - Temperatures as at 11:15am AEDT (courtesy weatherzone.com.au):

SYDNEY - Forecast high: 43c. Currently: 34.3c

COOMA, CARLAMINDA - Forecast high: 35c. Currently: 29.3c

BATHURST - Forecast high: 37c. Currently: 30.3c

WAGGA WAGGA - Forecast high: 41c. Currently: 36.7c

Photo: Bushfire in New South Wales (AAP)
Copied from Newstalk ZB - news at 2pm