Fire threatens Snowy Mountains homes

5 Sep 2012, 4:55 pm   -   Source: AAP

A grass fire on the edge of the NSW Snowy Mountains has burnt one home and is threatening adjoining properties.

A home has burnt down near the NSW Snowy Mountains as emergency crews prepare for gusts of up to 150km/h.

A grass fire is threatening properties south of Berridale, and has already destroyed 100 hectares.

The Rural Fire Service (RFS) says an unoccupied property in the area has been destroyed, and is issuing an emergency warning for residents in a dozen properties along Dalgety Road.

"This is a grass fire so it is burning quite quickly," a spokesman told ABC Radio.

"They can expect the impact of fire over the next hour or so."

State Emergency Service deputy commissioner Steve Pearce is expecting the volume of calls for help to climb during Wednesday afternoon.

"Damaging winds have been predicted, with gusts up to 150 km/hr in the Alpine Peaks," he said in a statement.

"The reports we are getting at the moment from the Snowy area indicates that the weather is starting to move."

The SES is presently fielding 56 calls for help, mainly from the Snowy Mountains area.

The Snowy Mountains Grammar School has lost part of its roof in the strong winds.

A fire of cotton bales near the NSW central west town of Warren is expected to cause problems for residents.

Fire and Rescue NSW said that while winds were blowing thick plumes of smoke away from Warren, south-westerly winds were forecast to arrive about 6pm (AEST) on Wednesday which would send smoke towards the town.

Residents are urged to stay indoors and keet doors and windows closed as the fire burns on Bundemar Road, near Warren.

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