7.34pm: A wrap of the day's events:
- 62 fires buring across NSW, 17 out of control
- One emergency warning is in place for the State Mine Fire (Lithgow, Hawkesbury, Blue Mountains) and there are three watch-and-act alerts for the fires in the Blue Mountains and Southern Highlands
- The RFS says the risk of three Blue Mountain fires merging into a 'mega' fire has decreased, but is still a possible threat
- The latest RFS damage assessment shows more than 200 homes have been lost in fires west of Sydney since Thursday
- Insurance bill hits $94 million with 855 claims made
- Three boys aged 11, 14 and 15 arrested over deliberately lit fires in the NSW Hunter region.
- Police issue warning against looting after a number of reported incidents
7.31pm: RFS downgrades Springwood fire to watch-and-act status as weather conditions ease.
7.01pm: RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says firefighters face challenging weather conditions in the next 48 hours:
"The weather forecast continues to firm up as being problematic over the next 48 hrs with a continuance of similar conditions to today, albeit with a marginal reduction in temperatures for tomorrow before we see those elevated wind strengths dominate much of the fire affected areas, but also more broadly right up through the Hunter, central ranges, metropolitan and Illawarra regions. We can expect to see most of those areas with widespread severe fire danger ratings."
6.55pm: Mount York Rd, Blue Mtns fire causes school closures for tomorrow and Wednesday.
6.51pm: RFS releases this image of the Hall Road Fire (Southern Highlands / Wollondilly), currently on a watch-and-act alert, showing the intensity and spread of the fire.
6.45pm: Disaster relief programs and charities are springing into action to help people who have been affected by the devastating bushfires in NSW. Find out more about how you can help here.
6.35pm: RFS says firefighters are continuing to battle the Springwood blaze and have advised residents in the area north of the intersection of Daly Road and Grose Road, or the intersection of Lindsay Road and Chapman Parade to seek shelter if the fire impacts.
6.34pm: NSW Police advise motorists to avoid non-essential trips in fire-affected areas.
5.54pm:
The RFS is advising people near Bell in the vicinity of Inberra Road and Mount Irvine Road (also known as Bowens Creek Road) Berambing to seek shelter as the fire approaches.
A bush fire is burning near the township of Bell. The fire also continues to burn around the areas of Mt Irvine, McKellars Park, Bilpin, Hartley Vale, Dargan and Clarence.
5.45pm: Commissioner Fitzsimmons is urging people to contact 000 if they see unattended fires, not just smoke.
With the conditions we're expecting Wednesday, on days like that, minutes matter. On those days, the quicker we can get to a fire and stop it becoming a big fire and a more destructive or difficult fire, the better off we'll all be. That will be our focus coming into the next couple of days.
Across all these fire grounds, we're very aware that there is still a lot of trauma, there's a lot of grief, particularly through the Springwood area, where we're seeing so many people suffering the loss of so much.
Once again the feedback despite all the despaie, all the loss, is one of positivity, in an attempt to continue to work with their local community, fire and emergency services, because they all realise that this is far from over. I think it's just a credit to the good old Aussie spirit that when the things are becoming the toughest, we bunker in and we help each other out and we've certainly seen that on display across these fire grounds.
5.40pm: RFS says firefighters are fighting 63 fires, with 17 uncontained. "The figures are going to be fluid," the RFS says.
5.30pm:
5.28pm: Hall Road Fire (Southern Highlands) downgraded to watch and act alert.
5.23pm: The NSW SES has put out a call for more RFS volunteers.
5.04pm: NSW Police say there has been a second arrest over arson for the fire at Heatherbrae, Port Stephens last week.
A statement issued by the police reads:
A 15-year-old boy has been arrested over the large bushfire that started in Heatherbrae last week.
He’s currently at Raymond Terrace Police Station where he is expected to be charged.
An 11-year-old boy was charged over the fire earlier today.
Meanwhile, the NSW police minister and the rural fire boss have condemned the reckless stupidity of lighting fires in volatile conditions.
"It's one thing to be an adult criminal in setting fire," Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said.
"It's another thing, and it saddens me, that young people could actually not see the consequences of this sort of reckless behaviour and I'm pleased that, with the support of the community, police have actually even able to make an arrest and deal with someone in lighting these fires."
5.00pm: Damage from the NSW fires has resulted in 855 insurance claims worth $93 million, the Insurance Council of Australia says.
More than 200 homes have been lost in fires west of Sydney over the last week and authorities warn the figure may increase.
Of the 56 fires still active across the state on Monday, 12 remain uncontained, with firefighters being recruited from interstate to help with the worsening crisis.
Many areas are yet to be inspected by insurance companies but assessors will be sent in as soon as it's safe to do so, an Insurance Council of Australia spokesman says.
4.47pm: The Red Cross has set up a registry to help connect people displaced by the fires.
4.45pm: Emergency Warning update issued for Hall Road Fire (Southern Highlands / Wollondilly):
Burning embers are being blown towards Wilton village and surrounding areas. A number of spot fires have started but are being contained to the southern side of Picton Road.
Picton Road is closed.
The Air Crane and additional fire trucks have been sent to the area.
A TOTAL FIRE BAN is in force for the Illawarra / Shoalhaven area until further notice.
Advice
People in the area of Wilton should be alert to burning embers. Put out any spot fires which may start on your property.
Take shelter if the fire impacts on your property. Protect yourself from the heat of the fire.
4.33pm: "It will go up like a Roman candle"
RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says the emergency in the southern highlands fire is "well and truly heading towards Wilton" and crews have been deployed to protect a nearby natural gas facility from the flames.
He said fears of a merger of two Blue Mountains fires - the State Mine Fire and the Mount Victoria blaze - could be realised by Tuesday.
"I suspect (the two fires will meet) somewhere in the middle of the Grose Valley," he said on Monday afternoon.
"It's only about three to five kilometres apart in some areas, it won't take that long for (them) to join together."
More than 200 homes have already been destroyed in the fires.
4.20pm: SBS reporter Manny Tsigas has taken this photo of the scene near Bell.
4.18pm: The RFS is advising residents of Bell to leave now if not prepared for the fire and travel west along the Bells Line of Road towards Lithgow. The Evacuation Centre at Lithgow Workers Club is open.
RFS advice for residents along the Bells Line of Road:
- West of Bilpin Village - Residents west of the Bilpin Village between Bowens Creek Rd and Mt Wilson Rd including the communities of Mt Tomah and Berambing are advised to relocate immediately. You should travel east along the Bells Line of Road towards Richmond.
- Bilpin Village - Residents between Mountain Lagoon Rd and Bowens Creek Rd can choose to remain however, it is expected to become isolated and you may not be able to leave for a number of days. Should you choose to stay, ensure you and your property are properly prepared. Be aware that electricity supply to the area may be cut off for several days.
- East of Bilpin Village - Residents in the area of Bells Line of Road between Mountain Lagoon Road and Pittman Road should relocate now if you and your property are not prepared for the onset of fire. Travel east towards Richmond.
- Mt Wilson and Mt Irvine Communities - Residents are advised to remain in place. There is fire burning along access roads and it is not safe to leave. There is a high likelihood you will be isolated for a number of days.
- Kurrajong, Bowen Mountain and Yarramundi - Although the fire is not in the immediate area, use today to prepare your home and continue to monitor the situation.
Follow your Bush Fire Survival Plan. If you do not have a Bush Fire Survival Plan, ensure you know what you will do if the fire threatens your property.
Only well prepared and actively defended homes can offer safety during the fire.
If you are in doubt or it is not safe to leave, take shelter in a solid structure when the fire front arrives. Protect yourself from the heat of the fire.
4.16pm: Authorities are warning people to only call 000 in a life-threatening situation.
4.14pm: Springwood emergency warning updated:
An emergency warning is in place after the fire in the Springwood and Faulconbridge area flared up this afternoon. Firefighters are working in the area between Chapman Avenue and Grose Road.
The fire has flared up in bushland between Chapman Road and Grose Road. Firefighters are working in the area.
If you are in the area north of the intersection of Daly Road and Grose Road, or the intersection of Lindsay Road and Chapman Parade, seek shelter if the fire impacts. Protect yourself from the heat of the fire.
A potential threat from this fire still remains for the residents of:
- Mount Riverview
- Winmalee
- Springwood
- Faulconbridge
- Valley Heights
- Sun Valley
- Warrimoo
4.11pm: RFS on the Balmoral Fire: "I understand that we're talking about a couple of kilometres of embers...The southwesterly burst of air was somewhat unexpected and that would appear to be principal contributer of this activity and the northward spread of this fire," Commissioner Fitzsimmons says.
He says dozens of home are at risk.
"There is so much uncontained active fire and that is susceptible to flare up and quick spread under increasing temperatures."
4.08pm: "The fire grounds remain dynamic and challenging for firefighters and particularly susceptible to wind and elevated temperatures we're experiencing," Commissioner Fitzsimmons tells media.
4.05pm:
3.46pm:
EMERGENCY WARNING UPDATE- Springwood and Faulconbridge
The fire has flared up in bushland between Chapman Road and Grose Road. Firefighters are working in the area.
If you are in the area north of the intersection of Daly Road and Grose Road, or the intersection of Lindsay Road and Chapman Parade, seek shelter if the fire impacts. Protect yourself from the heat of the fire.
3.39pm: RFS issues emergency warning for Springwood fire as it flares up again.
An emergency warning is in place after the fire in the Springwood and Faulconbridge area flared up this afternoon. Firefighters are working in the area between Chapman Avenue and Grose Road.
The fire has flared up in bushland between Chapman Road and Grose Road. Firefighters are working in the area.
If you are in the area north of the intersection of Daly Road and Grose Road, or the intersection of Lindsay Road and Chapman Parade, seek shelter if the fire impacts. Protect yourself from the heat of the fire.
A potential threat from this fire still remains for the residents of:
- Mount Riverview
- Winmalee
- Springwood
- Faulconbridge
- Valley Heights
- Sun Valley
- Warrimoo
A TOTAL FIRE BAN is in place for the Greater Sydney Region until further notice.
Police have received reports that looters are targeting homes abandoned by people fleeing the NSW bushfires.
Commissioner Andrew Scipione says there's no indication looting is widespread but warns offenders will pay if caught.
"You could count on your left hand the number of reports we've had of looting so far," Mr Scipione said on Monday.
"It's probably the lowest act that you could be involved in (and) it's probably the worst thing you could do to a victim of a bushfire that's either lost their home or left their home to save their lives."
More than 200 homes have been destroyed in the blazes that have roared across the state since Thursday.
He said uniformed and plain-clothes police are patrolling fire-affected areas and will deal "very harshly" with looters.
2.59pm: Over 1,500 hectares of land has been burnt by the bush fire near Mount York Road at Mount Victoria in the upper Blue Mountains. RFS has put a watch-and-act alert in place for Blue Mountain residents.
"Residents in the Blue Mountains area are urged to remain vigilant and prepared with hot, dry and windy conditions forecast, people right across these fire affected areas that live in or near bushland should take the forecast conditions seriously, be on alert and complete a Bush Fire Survival Plan or review their current plan.
"The fire could spread through Grose Valley and potentially threaten properties to the north of Great Western Highway at Mount Victoria. Under these conditions, fires can be difficult to control. Embers may be blown ahead of the fire, creating spot fires. These spot fires may threaten your home earlier than the predicted main fire front.
"There is significant smoke throughout the area from Katoomba to Glenbrook and beyond.
"A TOTAL FIRE BAN is in place for the Greater Sydney Region until further notice.
"There is a potential threat today to the communities and properties in the areas of:
- Mount Victoria
- Kanimbla Valley
- Megalong Valley
- Lawson Long Alley
- Mount Boyce
- Blackheath"
2.57pm: More details on the emergency warning issued for the Hall Road Fire (Southern Highlands / Wollondilly):
An emergency warning is in place for a fire burning in bushland in the southern highlands near the villages of Yerrinbool, Balmoral, Yanderra, Pheasants Nest, Wilton, Bargo, Buxton, Hill Top, Alpine / Aylmerton and Couridjah in the Southern Highlands. Burning embers are being blown towards Wilton.
Burning embers are being blown towards Wilton village and surrounding areas. Picton Road is being closed due to fire activity.
A TOTAL FIRE BAN is in force for the Illawarra / Shoalhaven area until further notice.
People in the area of Wilton should be alert to burning embers. Put out any spot fires which may start on your property.
Take shelter if the fire impacts on your property. Protect yourself from the heat of the fire.
Advice (Illawarra residents)
While there is no threat to properties in the Illawarra at this time, residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and monitor the situation throughout the day.
2.51pm: RFS issues emergency warning for Hall Rd Fire in Southern Highlands.
2.50pm: New South Wales Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says he's saddened by the news that an 11-year-old boy has been arrested by police over two bushfires in the Port Stephens area last week.
Police say one of the fires destroyed a number sheds and burnt out more than 5,000 hectares of bushland.
They say that following information from the public, the boy was arrested and is expected to be charged.
Commissioner Fitzsimmons says even children should know the dangers of lighting fires.
"It's awful to think, no matter the motivation, that despite the enormity of the exposure, despite the universal and quite right public condemnation of the deliberate lighting of fires, that we can have young people so reckless and so stupid participating in these sorts of activities."
2.44pm: NSW Police Force has released this information on how to prepare for a heatwave.
2.17pm: The RFS says there are currently around 58 fires burning across NSW, 14 of them uncontained.
2.15pm: "We're not bulletproof, we're not miracle makers but we will do the best we can to limit the death toll and destruction," RFS Commissioner Fitzsimmons says.
2.14pm: NSW Police have arrested an 11-year-old boy over two bushfires.
The police say on the 13th of October, emergency services responded to reports of a grass fire in Elizabeth Street at Raymond Terrace as well as a fire in bushland at Heatherbrae.
Over the coming days fire destroyed a number of sheds and burnt more than 5000 hectares of bushland in the Heatherbrae, Williamtown, Campvale, Tomago and Medowie areas.
The boy was arrested around 8.30 this morning and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station.
2.03pm: RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons is giving an update on the bushfire situation.
1.28pm: Charities are asking people who want to help NSW bushfire victims to donate cash instead of food or clothing.
Salvation Army spokesman Peter Sutcliffe says his organisation often gets inundated with food, clothing and electrical items during bushfire season.
"That really becomes a real problem with sorting them, storing them and distributing them," he told AAP on Monday.
"At the end, sometimes we have to dispose them - and we don't want to do that."
He said donating cash was more helpful as it gave bushfire victims choice over what to purchase.
"It allows people affected to recover with dignity as they are able to purchase items they need most," Major Sutcliffe said.
1.00pm Doctors are urging people to stay indoors as much as possible and avoid exercising outside as heavy smoke rises above bushfire-hit NSW.
12.40pm: An 11-year-old boy is being questioned by police over the fire that closed Newcastle Airport last week.
NSW Police say the boy is assisting with inquiries into the Port Stephens fire, which breached containment lines and destroyed several sheds.
It burnt very close to Newcastle Airport at Williamtown, forcing its closure on Thursday, and billowed black smoke that could be seen from the Newcastle CBD.
Fairfax Media reports the boy is expected to be charged over the blaze.
Smoke billows from a bushfire near Newcastle Airport . (Twitter: Jason Lodge/AAP)
12.26pm:
11.52am: NSW Police have charged a 14-year-old boy with starting a fire near a tennis club at Rutherford yesterday.
11.06am: Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons and NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione spoke to media at Rural Fire Service HQ in NSW.
Commissioner Fitzsimmons warned that temperatures today were expected to be in the mid to high thirties in bushfire-affected regions.
He said the RFS was expecting high temperatures and strong winds tomorrow.
He praised the efforts of all involved in the emergency effort.
“I have nothing but praise for the extraordinary efforts of the last 24 hours,” he said.
He said there were currently 58 fires burning in NSW and 14 were uncontained.
Police Commissioner Scipione addressed social media reports that abandoned homes were being robbed.
He said although there had not yet been many reports of looting, police considered it the "lowest act," punishable by 14 years' jail.
Earlier, NSW Premier Premier Barry O'Farrell described looters as “scumbags” and said they would be tracked down.
"I'm just appalled that at these critical times, when people have been evacuated from homes or whether people have left homes because of fire dangers, that other scumbags in the community would front up and seek to rob them," he said.
11am: Firefighters are deploying "high-risk" backburning strategies in the NSW Blue Mountains as they fight to save lives and homes.
Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says firefighters are taking "considered" but risky moves to strengthen containment lines around the massive State Mine fire that flanks the mountains' northwest side.
Firefighters have successfully conducted backburning along more than 20 kilometres of Bells Line of Road.
But the move risked accelerating the feared joining up of the State Mine fire with a blaze at Mount Victoria, which authorities say is likely to happen in coming days.
Mr Fitzsimmons says the plan is "paying off" so far.
"If it comes off, and works, it's a wonderful firefighting effort," he told reporters on Monday morning.
"But there is every likelihood investing in a strategy like that that it will breach, that it will fail - and then you've got a fire that will cross over everything you've just tried to implement."
10.22am: Ambulance Victoria has today warned people to take precautions to minimise the effects of bushfire smoke. It advises people to stay indoors, preferably in air-conditioned premises, to avoid vigorous exercise and to use masks designed to filter fine particles when in contact with bushfire smoke.
9.56am: The federal government is being urged to reconsider changes it made to the eligibility criteria for bushfire victims to receive emergency funds.
The Disaster Recovery Payment is now being made available to victims of the NSW bushfires who have been injured or had their homes damaged or destroyed.
But the government has been criticised for changing the funding arrangements so those isolated from their homes or experiencing power shortages can't access payments as quickly.
Assistant Minister for Social Services Mitch Fifield said the changes were designed to help ensure those most in need received assistance first.
"The decision that the government has taken is to initially provide assistance to those directly and immediately affected by way of home being damaged or destroyed," he told Sky News today.
But the government will continue to assess the situation as it develops, he said.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott meets with residents affected by the Winmalee bushfire and Rural Fire Service personnel at Winmalee in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney on Friday. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP)
9.30am: Every resource NSW can muster - including possibly the military - is being sent to fight the Blue Mountains bushfires, as fears grow that a mega-fire could form.
While there are 56 fires still active across the state on Monday - 12 uncontained - the focus is the large State Mine fire near Lithgow.
Residents in the township of Bell were on Monday morning again urged to evacuate ahead of temperatures in the mid-30s, low humidity and problematic winds around 25km/h.
The great concern in the region west of Sydney is the chance of a mega-fire forming in worsening conditions on Wednesday.
NSW Emergency Service Minister Mike Gallacher says northwesterly winds could push the large fire into two others - and towards more populated areas like Katoomba and Leura, and western Sydney.
9.20am: NSW State Emergency Services have advised Bilpin, Yanderra and Hill Top schools are closed today.
9.00am: A total fire ban remains in place this morning across NSW, with more than 50 fires continuing to burn across the state. Up to 12 fires remain uncontained, with major concerns for the Blue Mountains area west of Sydney.
8am: An enormous and "very volatile" fire in the NSW Blue Mountains continues to worry firefighters, with one township evacuated ahead of worsening weather this week.
Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says an updated weather forecast shows strengthening winds will make the situation more challenging on Wednesday, which is predicted to be the hottest day this week.
He says the focus is on the large State Mine fire near Lithgow and residents in the township of Bell are again being urged to evacuate.
"This is still a very volatile, very long, uncontained fire edge that is going to be quite susceptible to weather," Mr Fitzsimmons told reporters on Monday.
Monday is expected to be fairly hot across Sydney and the fireground areas with temperatures in the mid-30s, low humidity and winds around 25km/h - "nothing extraordinary but still problematic", the commissioner said.
An emergency alert telephone warning message was sent to the community of Bell on Sunday, and the Rural Fire Service (RFS) reissued the advice on Monday morning.
"The community of Bell are advised to leave now if not prepared and travel west along the Bells Line of Road towards Lithgow."
The Lithgow Workers Club is open as an evacuation centre. Need more information or want to help? Click here for important contact details.
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