Planning for back burns to fight the Gospers Mountain fire is continuing by the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) today (Wednesday) as another fire in the remains at watch and act level.
The Gospers Mountain fire is now about 226,000 hectares in size and is currently burning to the north of Bell, Mt Wilson, Bilpin and Mt Lagoon, and west of St Albans in the Hawkesbury Local Government Area (LGA), an RFS statement said.
It is being controlled by firefighters, with strong westerly winds generally pushing it towards the east and slightly south today.
"Planning is continuing today for possible back burns from Upper Colo through to Comleroy Road, Mountain Lagoon Trail through to Mountain Lagoon," a NSW RFS statement said.
"This back burning operation is dependent upon having favourable weather conditions.
"Yesterday and today crews are working on a 9km back burning along the western side of Putty Road in Colo Heights and Cerones. This will produce increased smoke, which will contribute to low visibility and poor air quality.
"The planned heavy plant works to enhance control lines and fire trails around Bell, Mt. Wilson, Mt Irvine, Mt Tootie, and Mountain Lagoon and Bilpin have been completed."
Putty Rd has a reduced speed limit as well as a contra flow in the area of the back burning operation around Colo Heights. The contra flow is likely to be in place until mid afternoon.
Meanwhile, the Three Mile bushfire is currently at watch and act advice level for the Hawkesbury and Central Coast LGAs.
"If you are in the areas of Mangrove Mountain, Wisemans Ferry Road and Peats Ridge Road, monitor conditions. Watch out for embers and spot fires in the area. Activate your bush fire survival plan. If you are not prepared, leaving early is your safest option," the RFS stated this morning.
Wisemans Ferry Road is closed from the Ferry, east to Mill Creek.
- Stay up to date with the situation at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au or by calling the NSW RFS bush fire information line on 1800 NSW RFS (1800 679 737) or via the Fires Near Me app.
- For information on road conditions or closures, call the RMS on 132 213 or check www.livetraffic.com
- For information on closures of National Parks associated with this fire, please visit www.npws.nsw.gov.au