AAP General News (Australia)
12-29-2001
NSW: Bushfires quiet ahead of anticipated horror day
Bushfires forming a ring around Sydney have become unusually quiet ahead of scorching
heat and strong winds expected later today and tomorrow.
A total fire ban is in force throughout New South Wales in anticipation of extreme
fire conditions.
Milder weather overnight and this morning has allowed fire crews to carry out extensive
backburning operations.
Rural Fire Service spokesman JOHN WINTER says they have put buffer zones in place around
properties considered to be most at risk.
About 100 fires continue to ravage the state, but Mr WINTER says fires are mostly burning
within containment lines.
But he says it's uncertain how well the containment lines will hold once the weather
deteriorates, particularly into tomorrow.
Mr WINTER says the fire service has to treat every single fire as being of maximum
risk, because of the potential for spot fires to develop into major fires very quickly.
The areas of most concern today are the Hawkesbury region north of Sydney, the Blue
Mountains to the west, and south of Sydney down to Wollongong.
The Rural Fire Service is also closely monitoring fires around Huskisson on the south
coast which have the potential to spread to other towns.
New South Wales Premier BOB CARR has arrived in Sydney after cutting short his holiday
in China, and will be briefed by fire chiefs later this morning.
AAP RTV sal/wjf
KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES NSW (SYDNEY)
2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
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