WITH the strong winds around the Southern Tablelands and Southern Highlands, both the Rural Fire Service and the State Emergency Service are warning local residents to stay informed.
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The SES had not received any callouts in the Southern Tablelands as at 2.30pm today except for a tree falling in a school yard at Crookwell.
Local RFS crews have been deployed to help with the bushfire situation near Singleton in the Upper Hunter Valley and are also on standby for a fire raging in the Southern Highlands village of Balmoral, which is now affecting residents and drivers in the Yerrinbool and Yanderra areas near Bargo.
The fire hit around the Wilson Drive and Railway Parade areas of the village at around 12:45pm this afternoon and has spread across to Yerrinbool and Yanderra, with residents being evacuated to a special evacuation centre at the Mittagong RSL Club. RFS Community Liaison officer Peter Dyce told the Goulburn Post that both the north and south-bound lanes of the Hume Highway closed at Yanderra around 1:50pm.
“Truck drivers along that stretch of the highway have been keeping us informed through their radios,” he said.
“We are also keeping in touch with crews up there to see if they will need assistance.”
Goulburn SES Region Controller Colin Malone is urging residents to keep all items around their homes secured.
“Should residents need any more advice about storms or strong winds they can call us on 132 500 or check for regular updates on our website, www.ses.nsw.gov.au.
To stay informed about bushfires in your area, contact the RFS on 1800 679 737 or visit the website at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au.
Meantime NSW Police are also urging members of the public who are near fire affected areas to delay their travel, unless crucial.
Police are urging members of the public to monitor the Rural Fire Service and other emergency service websites and your local radio stations to keep up to date with changing fire conditions.
