OUT of control bushfires sweeping through parts of the Blue Mountains have forced the immediate and indefinite closure of campgrounds and reserves.
Hundreds of thousands of hectares of bushland is currently engulfed in fire and with hot, dry weather predicted.
Blue Mountains City Council has announced that in the Megalong Valley the Old Ford Reserve and Blackheath Glen campgrounds have been closed from Thursday, December 12 until further notice.
While a number of bushland reserves in the Mount Wilson area have also been closed, they include: Cathedral of Ferns Reserve and Campground; Du Faurs Rock, Chinaman's Hat/Pheasants Cave Loop; Happy Valley and Waterfall Reserve; and Wynnes Rocks.
There are currently three very large bushfires burning in and around the Blue Mountains, they include:
Gospers Mountain bushfire
- Burning in Wolgan Valley, Wollemi National Park, Newnes, Bilpin, Mountain Lagoon and Mount Irvine)
- 344,406 hectares
- Advice level
- Listed as being controlled
Ruined Castle bushfire
- Burning south of Katoomba
- 3132 hectares
- Advice level
- Listed as being controlled
Green Wattle Cree bushfire
- Burning in the Kanangra-Boyd National Park
- 112,286 hectares
- Advice level
- Listed as out-of-control
Meanwhile, air quality in the Central Tablelands remains at hazardous levels on Thursday.
Health authorities have confirmed the number of emergency department presentations and hospitalisations due to respiratory issues has increased in the Western NSW Local Health District.
Stay up-to-date with fires in your region at Fires Near Me.
If you see an unattended fire call triple-0.
Nadine Morton
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
