Update 8.30PM: The Christies fire at Wallangarra/Jennings and the Ogilvie Drive fire at Tabulum have been downgraded to Watch and Act. All major roads in and out of Tenterfield have been cut. We will do our next update in the morning: please check here for the current conditions.
Situation as at 6pm 31 October. Check here for the current conditions.
Three additional fires have been added to the Emergency warnings in the Tenterfield area, bringing the total number of uncontrolled fires around Tenterfield to seven. The greatest concern is for the Christies fire which is directly threatening homes in Wallangarra and Jennings. Evacuation centres have been established in Tenterfield and Tabulam.
Residents of Tenterfield are also being warned to be aware of ember attack. Embers and falling ash will be blown long distances ahead of the main fire front starting spot fires, these may impact your home earlier than the main fire front.
- Christies (Tenterfield LGA) – Shelter Now – Jennings – An emergency warning is in place for the Jennings area due to a large bush fire to the northwest. If you are in the area of Jennings, you are at risk. Seek shelter to protect yourself from the fire. It is too late to leave.
- Ogilvie Dr, Tabulam (Tenterfield LGA) – Shelter Now – An emergency warning is in place for the Plains Station and Pagans Flat areas due to a large bush fire. If you are in the area of Plains Station Rd, Plains Station or Pagans Flat along Clarence Way, you are at risk. Seek shelter to protect yourself from the fire. It is too late to leave.
- Frost Rd, Woodside, Mole Station Rd, (Tenterfield LGA) – Shelter Now: An emergency warning is in place for the Woodside area due to a fast moving bush fire. If you are in the area of Woodside, east of Woodside Rd in the vicinity of Log Hut Creek you are at risk. If you are in the area of Sunnyside, west of the New England Highway, you are at risk. Seek shelter to protect yourself from the fire. It is too late to leave.
- Sawyers Creek, Donnybrook State Forest – Shelter Now – Tarban – An emergency warning is in place for the Tarban and Woodside areas due to a fast-moving bush fire. If you are in the area of Tarban, you are at risk. Seek shelter to protect yourself from the fire. It is too late to leave.
- Scrub Rd, Tenterfield – Shelter Now – This fire had been downgraded to Watch and Act, but has now returned to an Emergency warning due to a large bush fire 4km southeast of Tenterfield. If you are east of Tenterfield and south of the Bruxner Way in the vicinity of Kochs Rd, you are at risk. Seek shelter to protect yourself from the fire. It is too late to leave.
- Fires at Benders Creek and Branch Creek near the Scrub Road fire have also broken out. People along the New England Hwy, South of Tenterfield, in the vicinity of Bluff River, Bungulla, Benders Creek and Branch Creek, are at risk. Seek shelter to protect yourself from the fire. It is too late to leave.
Another fire burning near Boggabilla has been downgraded to a Watch and Act level.
An evacuation centre for residents who have been affected by the Tenterfield Fires has been established at:
Tenterfield Showground, Manners Street, TENTERFIELD NSW 2372
Memorial Hall, 10 Barnes Street, TABULAM NSW 2469
The greatest concern is about the fire at Jennings/Wallagarra, drawing resources from both sides of the border. The fire is impacting on homes and properties in the area of Wallangarra in Queensland and Jennings in NSW. The fire has crossed the New England Highway south of Jennings. Embers will be blown long distances ahead of the main fire front starting spot fires, these may impact your home earlier than the main fire front. Firefighters and aircraft are working in the area. There is also a grass fire to the south of Jennings near the New England Highway.
What you need to do
- Seek shelter in a solid structure such as a house. Do not be caught in the open in the path of the fire.
- Go inside and protect yourself from the fire front. Actively monitor the situation.
- A safer location may include a well cleared area nearby. Neighbourhood safer places offer a place of last resort if there are no other options.
- If you planned to visit the area, or live in the area but are away from home, do not return.
If you are threatened by fire
- If the fire impacts, seek shelter in a solid structure such as a house to protect yourself from the heat of the fire.
- Bring pets indoors and restrain them, close all doors and windows and turn off air conditioners, keep water running if possible.
- Shelter in a room on the other side of the building from the approaching fire, and one that has water and a clear exit out of the house.
- Keep moving away from the fire if possible and if your building catches fire, go to an area within the building which has already burnt.
- Monitor both inside and outside for small fires and burning embers and turn sprinklers on if you have them.
- Be careful outdoors after the fire has passed as trees can be unstable and fall.
- If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000).
Other Information
- Stay up to date on bush fires in your area by checking Fires Near Me, the NSW RFS website, listening to your local radio station, or by calling the NSW RFS Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737.
There are currently around 40 fires burning throughout the New England region. Dry, hot, and windy conditions are contributing to the significant fire risk this afternoon.