Burning Inferno Consumes Rural terrains in NSW’s Central West

A massive bushfire in New South Wales’ central west is blazing out of control, consuming properties and destroying bushland, with the NSW Rural Fire Service warning that it could continue to burn for weeks. The ferocious flames have been fueled by gusty winds and last year’s high rainfall, which has led to a surge in vegetation growth.

Dean Narramore, a senior meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, said that the high winds and dry terrain have made the past few days incredibly difficult for firefighters. The RFS has been working tirelessly with Fire and Rescue NSW, police, national parks, council, and local land services to combat the blaze, which is burning north of Hill End.

“It’s ginormous, intimidating, and overwhelming, even for people who are miles away from the fire front,” said Angela Burford, a communications officer at the RFS. Burford, who is based in Mudgee, said she could see plumes of grey smoke moving through valleys from where she was. “It’s not just flat paddocks. It is really steep, hilly terrain. If it continues to spread and breaches the containment strategies, the fire could be burning for weeks.”

Carla Kamsteeg, who lives with her husband at Green Valley Creek near Hill End, described the terrifying experience of watching the fire engulf their property. “We had these incredible wind gusts coming up and blowing wind and fire in every direction,” she said. “At one point, we were surrounded by fire. The fire came up to the back of our house. The back of our property and old cars got burnt.”

Kamsteeg said the smoke was thick, making it hard to breathe and see far. “It was hot, smokey, and hectic. When you are in the middle of something like that, you go into overdrive to save what you have.” The couple has been without power since Monday afternoon, making it a major challenge to access water and navigate the area.

The power outage has also made it difficult for Kamsteeg to keep track of what’s happening around her. “In such an open, rural area, it’s hard to know what’s happening at your neighbour’s place or what the fire is doing.” She said she has been in a flood and a fire before, and would rather experience a flood again, because at least with water, you know where it’s going. “But fire, you have no idea what it’s going to do. You don’t ever know.”

With more mild conditions forecast for the day, firefighters will continue to work on containment strategies and undertake property protection, supported by aircraft and heavy machinery.