Deadly, 'unprecedented' brushfire emergency in New South Wales as fires undergo explosive growth
By
Adam Douty, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Nov 8, 2019 4:22 PM EDT
This is something you don't see every day. The skies over Port Macquarie in New South Wales, Australia, glowed orange as wildfires continued to rage across the region on Nov. 8. More than 90 wildfires are reportedly burning across the state.
Much of eastern Australia is in flames as wildfires burn out of control, contributing to what's been called an "unprecedented" bushfire emergency for the state of New South Wales.
According to reports by CNN, three have been killed by the fires and an additional seven remain missing. Preliminary reports suggested at least 100 homes had been destroyed.
As of Sunday, according to The Guardian, there were 80 fires burning across New South Wales.
According to the New South Wales Rural Fire Service, lighter winds during the overnight hours are allowing firefighters progress on containing some fires.
Despite improving fire-fighting conditions into Monday, stiff winds may make for challenging conditions again on Tuesday.
On Friday, plumes of smoke could be seen on satellite spreading to the east of several major fires across northern New South Wales.
A video posted to Twitter by the New South Wales Rural Fire Service captured the harrowing scene of intense flames burning along a highway near the town of Taree.
At one point on Friday, the Rural Fire Service advised residents near Hillville that "It is too late to leave. Seek shelter in a solid structure to protect yourself from the heat of the fire."
Wildfire smoke captured by satellite imagery over eastern Australia on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019. (Photo/NASA)
While the wind will lessen slightly on Sunday, AccuWeather meteorologists still warn that locally gusty conditions can cause some fires to burn out of control.
Smoke can once again spread to the coast causing poor air quality and reduced visibility in places such as Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour. The fires have been so intense that the entire landscape around Port Macquarie was shrouded in an orange glow.
Very high fire danger remains across northern New South Wales.
An area of high pressure building over the region is expected to bring lighter winds into Monday, which should aid firefighters looking to control the blazes.
However, a front crossing the area could once again increase wind on Tuesday and Wednesday increasing the fire danger once again.
Report a Typo
News / Weather News
Deadly, 'unprecedented' brushfire emergency in New South Wales as fires undergo explosive growth
By Adam Douty, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Nov 8, 2019 4:22 PM EDT
This is something you don't see every day. The skies over Port Macquarie in New South Wales, Australia, glowed orange as wildfires continued to rage across the region on Nov. 8. More than 90 wildfires are reportedly burning across the state.
Much of eastern Australia is in flames as wildfires burn out of control, contributing to what's been called an "unprecedented" bushfire emergency for the state of New South Wales.
According to reports by CNN, three have been killed by the fires and an additional seven remain missing. Preliminary reports suggested at least 100 homes had been destroyed.
As of Sunday, according to The Guardian, there were 80 fires burning across New South Wales.
According to the New South Wales Rural Fire Service, lighter winds during the overnight hours are allowing firefighters progress on containing some fires.
Despite improving fire-fighting conditions into Monday, stiff winds may make for challenging conditions again on Tuesday.
On Friday, plumes of smoke could be seen on satellite spreading to the east of several major fires across northern New South Wales.
A video posted to Twitter by the New South Wales Rural Fire Service captured the harrowing scene of intense flames burning along a highway near the town of Taree.
At one point on Friday, the Rural Fire Service advised residents near Hillville that "It is too late to leave. Seek shelter in a solid structure to protect yourself from the heat of the fire."
Wildfire smoke captured by satellite imagery over eastern Australia on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019. (Photo/NASA)
While the wind will lessen slightly on Sunday, AccuWeather meteorologists still warn that locally gusty conditions can cause some fires to burn out of control.
Smoke can once again spread to the coast causing poor air quality and reduced visibility in places such as Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour. The fires have been so intense that the entire landscape around Port Macquarie was shrouded in an orange glow.
Very high fire danger remains across northern New South Wales.
An area of high pressure building over the region is expected to bring lighter winds into Monday, which should aid firefighters looking to control the blazes.
However, a front crossing the area could once again increase wind on Tuesday and Wednesday increasing the fire danger once again.
Report a Typo