A hospital in a Blue Mountains town threatened by a large bush fire is being evacuated ahead of a predicted worsening of conditions.
The Rural Fire Service (RFS), Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District and Ambulance NSW are assisting in the evacuation of 24 patients and 17 staff from the Springwood hospital.
"At present Springwood Hospital is not under direct threat from the fire, today's evacuation is pre-emptive," Nepean local health district incident controller Clair Ramsden said.
Patients will be taken to the Nepean Hospital and are expected to stay there until at least Wednesday.
An emergency warning for the area was issued by the RFS on Saturday afternoon as fire activity in the area increased.
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The 2152 hectare fire was at 3.30pm (AEDT) out of control.
"Next of kin have been contacted to advise them that their loved ones are safe and are moving out of the area," Ms Ramsden said.
