The Cudgegong Rural Fire Service District is coordinating the ongoing response to a number of fires burning in and around the local region - and with 'Severe' conditions forecast there'll be some crossed fingers.
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The Meads Creek West fire, in the north of the Mid-Western Regional Council area, is listed as 'Being Controlled' having burnt out more than 10,500ha of the Goulburn River National Park and adjoining private property.
"We are continuing to establish and consolidate a number of containment lines, particularly on the north-west edge of the fire. That was with heavy plant with the intention of being able to back-burn to get containment," Inspector Troy Gersback, Deputy Incident Controller, said.
"We have also seen an area on the southern edge move over the Goulburn River, which we were using as a containment line. We're working with our aerial resources when they can get up, but unfortunately the smoke is hindering a lot of work at the moment.
"For the most part things are calm in that area, but we're certainly not out of the woods with regards to that fire and there's still a lot of work to be done.
"Our main concern is the return of the north-westerly winds, the forecast isn't showing that they're overly strong at this stage, but we're getting temperatures likely to be in excess of 40 degrees and a relative humidity in single digits."
The Incident Management Team based out of the Cudgegong District Fire Control Centre is also managing fires at Oaky Creek and Kerry Ridge that are burning in difficult terrain in the Wollemi National Park / Putty State Forest.
A Total Fire Ban has been declared for today (Tuesday, December 10), due to forecast hot and windy conditions.
"Any new ignitions under those conditions will take hold very quickly and have a greater potential of being uncontrolled if they go undetected for too long," Inspector Gersback said.
"So we are imploring the Mid-Western community to remain vigilant and monitor the Fires Near Me app and RFS website closely. And if you do identify a fire without a firetruck in attendance, to report it to Triple-zero immediately."
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He also reflected on and acknowledged the efforts of firefighters - local and out of area.
"It's been well in excess of 100 volunteers now from Cudgegong and they're also being bolstered by the neighbouring districts in the Liverpool Ranges and Hunter Valley," he said.
"Then on top of that we have the National Parks and Wildlife Services firefighters and incident management personnel. And firefighters from areas in Western NSW - from Dubbo, Orange, Bourke and Cobar - in Strike Teams, previously assisting in the north of the state.
"And we're seeing some people deployed on their eighth rotation, ongoing since September. So there's a huge commitment from our membership and they're volunteers - who are giving up time with their families, friends and work.
"We want to pass on our thanks, because they protect not only our community, but neighbouring communities too."
