UPDATE January 26, 4.45PM
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Five RFS crews have quickly controlled a small outbreak at Myrtleville, near Taralga.
The fire broke out at 2.30pm off Hillcrest Road, south of Taralga and was believed to have started from a lightning strike.
The service’s operational officer Daniel Osborne said it burnt five hectares but due to quick action, was now at advice status. He expected it to be extinguished “very soon.”
An aircraft was doing reconnaissance in the area but was not required.
UPDATE January 26 2.30pm
The RFS has received a triple zero call at 2.30pm reporting a fire at Myrtleville, some 7km south of Taralga.
Southern Tablelands operational officer Daniel Osborne said the outbreak was thought to have started from a lightning strike. However few details are available at this stage.
Two RFS vehicles and a helicopter have been deployed to investigate. The RFS website reports it is under control.
Meantime, the Long Gully Road fire, 5km northeast of Taralga remains within its 2562 hectare footprint.
Mr Osborne said the fire was “very inactive” overnight, with four crews patrolling.
“There were some hot spots identified but they were dealt with,” he said.
“We’re maintaining regular patrols to ensure it remains in its footprint.”
Twenty-five remote area firefighters are keeping an eye on the fire ground’s northern edge in steep terrain. A further 13 RFS vehicles are scattered in other sections, while four helicopters are also patrolling.
Mr Osborne said fire investigators were on the ground today collecting evidence and interviewing those who reported the outbreak at about 4.30pm last Friday.
“They need to talk to those people about what they saw, identify the point of origin, go there and figure out what happened,” he said.
UPDATE January 25 12.30pm
Easing conditions and continued vigilance have allowed RFS crews to gain the upper hand on the Long Gully Road fire near Taralga.
The outbreak is ‘being controlled’ by 20 RFS crews, comprising 105 personnel, says the Service’s Southern Tablelands operational officer, Daniel Osborne.
ACT RFS and National Parks and Wildlife Service firefighters are also assisting.
The outbreak, which started at about 4.30pm last Friday off Newfoundland Road, some 5km northeast of Taralga, has burnt 2562 hectares.
A total 2mm fell on the fire’s southeastern edge overnight but eased conditions on Wednesday enabled crews to control its spread.
“We still have active fire in the northwest and northeast, particularly south of Mares Forest Road,” Mr Osborne said at midday.
“So today we put in a remote area team to work the northern flank of the fire to deal with any hot spots.”
But due to two forecast storm cells tracking from Crookwell, that team has been pulled out for their own safety, ensuring they won’t be isolated.
Mr Osborne said the situation would be reassessed after the storm cells passed.
At the height of the blaze, five helicopters, four fixed wing aircraft, all dumping water, a DC 10 dropping retardant and 45 crews comprising 180 personnel were deployed.
While the reduction in intensity was a relief, Mr Osborne urged people not to become complacent and to monitor conditions.
Some landowners had opted to leave but were returning to “business as usual,” he said.
Mr Osborne said the RFS was investigating several unconfirmed reports of sheds and outbuildings lost in the blaze and one of a residential structure destroyed.
Mr Osborne said no cause had been established yet and investigators would be in the field in coming days.
UPDATE January 23 9.00AM: RFS Community Liaison Officers will be in attendance at the Canyonleigh General Store today, Tuesday January 23, to meet with community members who require information regarding the current fire at Taralga.
The fire is burning approximately 5km to the North East of Taralga, between Bannaby and Wombeyan Caves.
The main fire front is burning to the north east towards Mares Forest Road and Wombeyan Caves Road. Embers may be blown ahead of the main fire front.
The fire is still out of control.
There is also continued fire activity on the north west of the fireground in the vicinity of Guineacor Road, Alders and Crees Road, and to the South East of the fireground in the vicinity of Newfoundland Road.
The following closures and restrictions are in place:
- Wombeyan Caves and the Wombeyan Karst Conservation Area is closed to visitors
- Wombeyan Caves Road between Taralga Road and 'Highrange' in the east is restricted to residents only.
- The Range Fire Trail will be closed from 9am today.
Heavy smoke is impacting the Wollondilly River area. Firefighters are assessing the area and there are likely to be further road and trail closures over the coming days.
Crews from the Southern Highlands RFS are assisting with the blaze.
January 22 9.17PM: The Long Gully Road Fire has been downgraded from Watch and Act to Advice level. The fire is still out of control.
The RFS has advised residents to stay informed and monitor conditions, as well as check and follow bush fire survival plans.
Temperatures are expected to reach the mid-30s tomorrow around the fire zone, with gusts of wind up to 20km per hour.
January 22 7.35PM:
The fire is burning approximately 5km to the North East of Taralga, between Bannaby and Wombeyan Caves.
The following closures and restrictions are in place:
- Wombeyan Caves and the Wombeyan Karst Conservation Area is closed to visitors
- Wombeyan Caves Road between Taralga Road and 'Highrange' in the east is restricted to residents only.
- The Range Fire Trail will be closed from 9am Tuesday.
Heavy smoke is impacting the Wollondilly River area. Firefighters are assessing the area and there are likely to be further road and trail closures over the coming days.
Visitors should reconsider travel to the Wollondilly River area. Monitor Livetraffic and the National Parks websites for information on closures and restrictions that may change quickly over the coming days.
If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
January 22, 6.00PM:
The fire is burning approximately 5km to the North East of Taralga and north of Newfoundland Road, Bannaby.
The main fire front is burning to the north east towards Mares Forest Road and Wombeyan Caves Road. Embers may be blown ahead of the main fire front.
There is also continued fire activity on the north west of the fireground in the vicinity of Alders and Crees Road, and to the South East of the fireground in the vicinity of Newfoundland Road.
Firefighters are working with residents to prepare isolated rural properties in the area.
Access to Wombeyan Caves Road between Taralga Road and ‘Highrange’ in the east is restricted to residents only.
National Parks and Wildlife Service are currently closing Wombeyan Caves and people in the area are being relocated. Follow the directions of emergency services.
Heavy smoke is impacting the Wollondilly River and will continue over the coming days.
EARLIER: A fire burning north-east of Taralga is expected to enter the Wingecarribee Shire over the next 48 hours.
According to the Rural Fire Service the fire is currently burning approximately 5km to the North East of Taralga and north of Newfoundland Road, Bannaby.
The RFS has advised that the fire is not contained and there is a high probability it will cross Guineacor Creek within the next 48 hours and enter the Wingecarribee Shire with further potential to move toward the Canyonleigh area.
The fire, named Long Gully Road Fire, continues to burn to the North East of Taralga in the vicinity of Alders and Crees Road and to the South East of the fireground in the vicinity of Newfoundland Road. The fire rose from 1276 hectares (3153 acres) to 1603 hectares (3961) overnight.
Firefighters supported by heavy plant worked overnight to establish and strengthen containment lines ahead of deteriorating weather conditions today. Winds are expected to strengthen from the west and north west today which will put pressure on eastern containment lines.
Upwards of 99 firefghters from the NSW RFS and the National Parks will be supported by nine aircrafts and four heavy machines today.
The fire will continue burning in the area of Guineacor Road, Alders and Crees Road, Bannaby Road, Newfoundland Road and Old Showground Road where firefighters are working with residents to prepare properties.
The RFS has advised residents to stay informed and monitor conditions, as well as check and follow bush fire survival plans.
Well prepared homes that are actively defended can provide safety - but the RFS have advised residents to only stay on their properties if they are mentally and physically prepared to defend in these conditions.
If you do not have a plan, decide what you will do if the situation changes. Leaving early is your safest option.
Please pass this message onto your neighbours as soon as practicable
If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Continue to stay up to date with the bush fire situation by checking http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au, or by calling the NSW RFS Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737.
