Residents in the Baerami area along the Bylong Valley Way are asked to leave now if not prepared to stay by heading east towards Denman via Yarrawa Rd. Residents in Sandy Hollow and Gungal are also encouraged to have a fire safety plan.
The fire is now burning at a size of 7,139 hectares (as of 1:50pm Friday December 5) – that’s nearly 2,000 hectares more than 24 hours ago. It’s also been upgraded to watch and act from advice.
Due to the fast-moving fire and hot and dry conditions forecast this afternoon and into tomorrow, residents are being warned that The Golden Highway could close due to both fire and/or smoke. The RFS say the highway may be closed at short notice, so it’s important to stay alert and be prepared to evacuate.
Community meetings will be held to provide information, updates, and specific actions today. The Worondi Rural Fire Brigade at Gungal will host a meeting from 5pm to 5:30pm, and the Merriwa School of Arts will hold another session from 7:30pm to 8pm. These meetings are crucial for staying informed about the current situation and what steps to take.
Evacuation centres have also been set up for large pets at the Merriwa Showground and the Denman Pony Club. Residents are encouraged to stay up to date with the latest information and set a watch zone, as conditions could deteriorate and escalate quickly.
A total fire ban is expected for tomorrow, so please adhere to all fire safety guidelines and take necessary precautions to ensure your safety.
