Key points:
- Regions of NSW are facing catastrophic conditions
- 78 fires are burning across the state, with 47 blazes currently uncontained
- 15 fires are at emergency level
- Schools in at-risk areas have been evacuated
- Reports at least one firefighter has gone into cardiac arrest in the Hunter
- RFS Commissioner warns residents further south that 'complacency kills'
- Insurance Council estimates the initial losses from fires in catastrophe areas totals $40 million
- Authorities urging residents to leave early
- How you can help those on the frontline
- For the latest updates and current alert levels please visit the NSW Rural Fire Service website
Bushfires in NSW are intensifying with flames reaching South Turramurra in Sydney's north shore.
Fire retardant was dropped on properties near bushland as firefighters worked to contain the flames at Canoon Road.
ABC
A second fire is also burning at nearby Kissing Point Road but crews have also managed to bring that threat under control.
The NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner says strong wind conditions will hamper the broader ongoing firefighting efforts across the state.
"This will only worsen throughout the afternoon as the weather conditions continue to deteriorate, and particularly those strong winds strengthen and become more consistent across the afternoon," Shane Fitzsimmons said.
"Already we are experiencing 80km/h across some areas up in the Greater Hunter area. 70km/h across the Blue Mountains region."
SBS News
Ten emergency warnings have been issued across the state and concern about the increasing threat has prompted nine schools to be evacuated in north-west NSW and the Upper Hunter.
ICA_square_normal.jpgInsurance Council@ICAUS #NSWbushfires update: As at 3pm today, insurers have received 360 claims from the catastrophe areas of NSW mid-north coast including 80 suspected total losses. Initial losses estimated at $40m. Next update on #NSWfires tomorrow. Insurers monitoring #QLDFires #SAfires #WAfires 3:56 PM - Nov 12, 2019 Twitter Ads info and privacy
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Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said it was a precautionary measure.
"Safety comes first - we need to take precaution and evacuate to get children out of there," Ms Mitchell told the ABC.
ujqrCyuu_normal.pngNSW RFS ✔@NSWRFS EMERGENCY WARNING - Rumba Dump Fire (Mid Coast LGA). Fire spreading quickly towards Elands, Bobin and Marlee and areas NW of Wingham. Seek shelter. #nswrfs #nswfires EJJKAjkWsAA3uxL?format=jpg&name=small 71 2:42 PM - Nov 12, 2019 Twitter Ads info and privacy
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On the risk posed to residents further south, including the Greater Hunter and Greater Sydney, the RFS Commissioner says there is no room to take personal safety for granted.
"Complacency kills. We cannot afford for people to be complacent. The fact that the catastrophic rating is there, that's the highest level risk available," Shane Fitzsimmons said.
Complacency kills. We cannot afford for people to be complacent. The fact that the catastrophic rating is there, that's the highest level risk available. SHANE FITZSIMMONS, NSW RFS COMMISSIONER
"Touch wood, we don't have any significant outbreaks of new fire at this stage, causing any issue. But we still can't rule that out."
ujqrCyuu_normal.pngNSW RFS ✔@NSWRFS Latest fire prediction map for north coast fires, based on latest observations and forecast. More areas included in risk area if fires take a run as expected today, including Wauchope. Detailed map at http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/121595/North-East-Fires-Prediction-1000.pdf … #nswrfs #nswfires EJINWTXUUAEqD_m?format=jpg&name=900x900 164 10:18 AM - Nov 12, 2019 Twitter Ads info and privacy
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More than 1,500 firefighters have been deployed with another 1,500 on standby, while around 100 aircraft are helping to fight the blazes.
The Rural Fire Service has confirmed reports at least one firefighter has entered cardiac arrest in the New South Wales Hunter region.
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