Update, Wednesday October 18
The Cope fire burning northeast of Gulgong has once again been brought under control by emergency services.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The fire now sits at an 'advice' alert level. The fire has burned more than 867 hectares after igniting earlier this week in the region's mid-west, and then flaring up again on Tuesday.
Another fire in the Cooks Gap area has also shown up on the RFS website, listed as under control and at advice level, there is not yet further information available.
Update, Tuesday October 17
The Cope fire burning northeast of Gulgong has been upgraded again to out-of-control status as of Tuesday afternoon as winds escalate the fire spread of the blaze.
The alert level of the bush fire now sits at 'emergency warning'.
The RFS is warning those in the area of Springwood Park Road and Cope Road, Cope, of serious risk.
The warning urges those in danger to seek shelter. It is too late to leave. Residents in the vicinity of Ulan Road should monitor conditions and stay up to date in case the situation changes. The fire is burning in a northwesterly direction.
What you need to do
- If you are in the area of Cope Rd, Cope or Springwood Park Rd, your life is at risk. It is too late to leave.
- 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.
- If you have a respiratory condition and may be affected by smoke, activate your health management plan and seek medical advice if necessary. Take precautions, such as staying indoors and closing windows.
- For information on road closures, check Live Traffic NSW.
- Monitor weather conditions and weather warnings at Bureau of Meteorology.
Earlier
Multiple fire fighting crews from across Orange have helped bring one of the state's biggest bushfires back under control after a long fight on Monday.
The Springwood Park Road bushfire was rated out of control for much of Monday, but as of 10am on Tuesday, October 17 the blaze was back under an 'advice' level.
Fire and Rescue NSW crews from Gulgong, Mudgee, Kelso, Orange, Bathurst and Dubbo worked in two separate strike teams to protect numerous properties in the area and to extinguish the blaze, alongside numerous volunteer crews from the NSW RFS and a number of firefighting aircraft.
A social media post from Fire and Rescue NSW Station 312 Gulgong said due to "high wind and unfavourable conditions" the fire spread into the Cope State Forest and made a run toward the Ulan township.
There was a genuine threat to nearby houses and infrastructure in the area, the post says.
The ease of conditions overnight and into the morning have aided fire-fighting efforts in the area and the NSW RFS has reduced its warning level for the fire to 'advice'.
It means the fire is under control.
The fire burned through 744 hectares in the mid-west region north of Mudgee.
Strike teams from NSW Rural Fire Service - Chifley Lithgow District, NSW RFS Orana Team and Canobolas Zone NSW RFS worked through the night and into day to bring this fire into containment.
They were supported by water-bombing aircraft, heavy plant and Fire and Rescue NSW Station 312 Gulgong, Fire and Rescue NSW Station 387 Mudgee, Fire and Rescue NSW Station 342 Kandos and multiple other Fire and Rescue appliances from out of area.
With Tuesday's weather predictions set to have high winds again, firefighters will be working hard to ensure this fire does not escape its containment.
Please stay up to date with the Hazards Near Me App, this Facebook Page and local radio for updates and any warnings issued.
Road closures
A road closure is in place at Cope Road, Blues Springs Road Intersection and at Ulan village due to the bushfire.
Reading this on mobile web? Download our news app. It's faster, easier to read and we'll send you alerts for breaking news as it happens. Download in the Apple Store or Google Play.
