A total fire ban has been declared for the Greater Sydney Region - which includes the Hawkesbury Local Government Area (LGA) - ahead of severe fire conditions on Tuesday, November 19.
The NSW Rural Fire Service has advised the ban has been issued ahead of forecast hot and windy conditions.
No fires may be lit in the open and all fire permits are suspended during a total fire ban. Gas and electric barbecues may be used provided certain conditions are met, the RFS advised.
One home has been lost at Colo Heights due to the continuing Gospers Mountain fire, which was more than 122,000 hectares in size by today (Monday) and continues to burn out of control.
The fire is burning in the Wollemi and Yengo National Parks, and Parr State Recreation Area, and the RFS expected containment lines to come under pressure as conditions worsened on Tuesday.
"Overnight, firefighters have been carrying out backburning operations close to properties in an effort to contain the fire," the RFS stated today.
"These operations have taken place in the areas around Wisemans Ferry, Webb Creek and Grey Gums.
"Conditions are expected to worsen with high temperatures on Tuesday. This will place pressure on containment lines."
Colo Heights Public School, Macdonald Valley Public School and Wisemans Ferry Public School closed today, and residents in the Colo Heights, Higher MacDonald, Webbs Creek and Yengo Drive (Putty) areas were being advised to implement bush fire survival plans and continue to monitor conditions.
Putty Road remains closed from Colo Heights to Milbrodale due to ongoing operations in the area and Bicentenary Road is closed between Lower Portland and Webb's Creek whilst dangerous tree assessments are undertaken.
For updated fire information, visit Fires Near Me https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fires-near-me or download the app.
Total fire ban rules and a map of current Total Fire Ban areas are listed at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au.