David Lowe
In an early start to the bushfire season, there are 53 fires burning across NSW this morning.
Firefighters were unable to save the historic Binna Burra Lodge in the Gold Coast hinterland, and there are another 50 fires burning across Queensland, where 15 homes have been destroyed.
Affected areas include Stanthorpe, Sarabah and Beechmont, with many people being evacuated. Authorities are saying it is the worst start to the bushfire season in history.
Locally there were two fires across the weekend which have since been controlled, in North Head Road New Brighton and at Greys Lane Tyagarah.
In the north eastern corner of NSW there are still fires south of Yamba, near Coraki, between Uki and Kunghur, east of Tenterfield and south of Drake, all of which are contributing to the pall of smoke which is hanging over the Northern Rivers. Conditions are easing today, with some fires being downgraded to watch and act status, but conditions are still serious.
A Drake resident who is helping people who have lost everything says she is ‘beginning to fall apart but have to keep on. My place is safe.’
Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin visited Drake yesterday and met with several people who have lost their homes, as well as attending the Rural Fire Service public meeting.
There are several other fires burning across the state – 60 at the time of publishing.
Building Impact Assessment team
NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) Building Impact Assessment teams are continuing their assessment of properties impacted by last week’s bush fires.
Five properties are now confirmed destroyed, with another five damaged. Assessments are continuing on some of the firegrounds, and this number may change.
The initial assessment of property impact is:
Long Gully Road fire, Drake (10% of area assessed)
› 4 homes destroyed
› 4 outbuildings destroyed, 4 damaged
Mount McKenzie Road fire, Tenterfield (assessment of area complete)
› 1 home destroyed, 4 damaged
› 3 facilities destroyed (two car yards and a pistol club)
› 15 outbuildings destroyed, 10 damaged
› 95 homes in the immediate area of the fire were saved
View Street, Lidsdale (assessment of area complete)
› 1 home damaged
› 3 outbuildings destroyed
Across the firegrounds impacted, more than 200 homes in the immediate area of the fires were saved.
BIA teams are continuing their assessments today.
If you want more information about the current fired status, go to
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