SIT REP 1: Saturday, February 3, 2024

AUSTRALIA – Several wildfires are burning in various places inside of this beautiful Country now touched by fire. This is a recap of what is currently afire gleaned from verified information from our Australian fire sources.

PACIFIC HIGHWAY FIRE

OUT-OF-CONTROL: A wildfire has ignited from an unknown source on the Pacific Highway located in Karauah (Port Stephens LGA).

This is located in the Wallaroo State Forest.

It is unknown when the fire officially ignited but it appears it has been over several days.

(L) Photo Credit: NWS RFS

The fire is wind-driven (easterly winds) and is said to be spreading towards The Bucketts Way, which is now closed between the Pacific Hwy and Limbeburners Creek Road. No structures are currently being threatened at this time.

We have reached out to the reporting agency to receive an update on the containment status.

In an earlier post this evening around 1921 hours PST, fire officials stated the fire behavior had increased near Old Limeburners Road and Capital Hills Creek Road. It has a high rate of spread as it continues to move in a northern and westerly direction towards Bucketts Way and Captains Hills Creek Road. No homes were reported to be threatened at the time of this post.

Backburning has been occurring to attempt to stop the wildfire from spreading over the landscapes now impacted by fire.

The area where the wildfire is burning has been experiencing hot and windy conditions with no rain in the forecast. It has been months since they have had any precipitation.

Resources: NSW RFS Dungog Brigade, NWS RFS Vacy Brigade, and more from the large fire agency.

Currently, the fire has burned 777 hectares or 1,920 acres (U.S. calculations). There is no known containment status at this time.

(L) Photo Credit: NSW RFS Dungog Brigade

COROWA FIRE

Firefighters with the NSW RFS are assisting as mutual aid to the Fire & Rescue Service NWS for a new wildfire that broke out today on Bullecourt Road in Corowa (Federation LGA). This is burning on the northern side of the town. Officials are asking folks in the vicinity of Bullecourt Road, Whitehead Street, and surrounding areas to put on your situational awareness and evacuate if fire approaches areas as soon as you can.

FINLEY FIRE

OUT-OF-CONTROL: A grass fire is burning on Plumptons Road in Finley, which is said to be out-of-control ignited today (February 4th AUS time). Currently, the wildfire broke out so there is no acreage or containment status information known at the time of this post. The responding lead agency is RFS.

YOUNG FIRE

OUT-OF-CONTROL: A new wildfire has just broken out on Henry Lawson Way in Young. It is located in the Hilltops Council Area. Unknown size and containment status.

ANNA BAY FIRE

UNDER CONTROL: A wildfire is burning on Fishermans Bay Road in Anna Bay in the Port Stephens Council area which had ignited about three hours earlier than this update has now been brought under control. The fire burned about 12 hectares which is almost 30 acres by U.S. calculations. The Lead Agency is the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

(c) 2024 NW Fire Blog/Skagit Valley Girl Media