An emergency warning has been issued for a bushfire in northern NSW, with people there warned to seek shelter as the blaze barrels towards homes.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The fire at Nymboida, about 30km southwest of Grafton, was downgraded late on Sunday but broke containment lines on Monday afternoon.
The NSW Rural Fire Service said the blaze was burning close to isolated properties to the southwest, fanned by north-easterly winds.
People on Glens Creek Road or Frickers Road were warned to shelter in place from the fire, which has burned through 905ha.
"Do not be caught in the open in the path of the fire. Go inside and protect yourself from the fire front," the RFS told residents.
People in the village of Nymboida were also warned to stay alert and monitor their surroundings.
Strong winds and high temperatures have complicated the task for firefighters as they work to control dozens of fires across the state.
Dozens of fires were burning at advice level amid strong wind warnings for parts of the NSW coastline and warnings for much warmer weather later in the week.
Another fire burning perilously close to houses near Penrith in Sydney's far west was brought under control, but sent plumes of smoke billowing across the city's outskirts.
RFS inspector Ben Shepherd said the blaze burned through 20ha but would not spread any further.
"It's clearly demonstrating just how dry it is, not just across Sydney but across the state at the moment," he told Sydney radio 2GB.
"We hope people across Sydney take it as a bit of a warning."
Mr Shepherd said the Nymboida fire was heading towards homes, while another blaze near Armidale was at "watch and act" level - one below an emergency warning.
"All we need is a little bit of wind, and these fires can really take off," he said.
The RFS said extreme fire danger warnings forecast for some areas later in the week would likely lead to total fire bans.
People affected by bushfires in some parts of NSW can now access disaster assistance through government grants.
Payments and concession loans are available to eligible people impacted by fires in the Kempsey, Mid-Coast, Port Macquarie Hastings, Inverell, Kyogle, Tenterfield and Mid-Western local government areas.
"We remain dedicated to communities in the face of hazards and will be there long before a disaster strikes and long after the disaster has passed," NSW Emergency Minister Jihad Dib said.
Australian Associated Press
