NSW fire breaks containment lines

A fire burning west of the NSW central west townships of Rylstone, Kandos and
Clandulla has broken containment lines, putting some properties under threat.
An emergency warning has been declared for the central western townships after
containment lines were breached at 1pm (AEDT) on Sunday.
The fire, which has burnt through 1,260 hectares of bushland west of the townships,
is now bearing down on some rural properties.
"The fire started on the northern side of Windamere Dam and has crossed the dam,"
the Rural Fire Service (RFS) said.
"The fire is threatening rural properties between Lake Windamere and the towns of
Rylstone, Kandos and Clandulla."
"The fire is currently impacting properties along Pinnacle Road and White Rocks
Road, to the west of Rylstone, where fire fighting crews are providing property
protection."
RFS spokesman Anthony Clark said the fire would remain a threat well into Sunday
afternoon because of scorching temperatures and gusty 70km winds.
Residents have been told to follow their Bush Fire Survival Plan and if they have
any doubts about their ability to protect their property, to leave early.
As temperatures climbed relentlessly towards the forecast 40 degree mark, the Rural
Fire Service (RFS) reported 1,000 firefighters were battling as many as 100
outbreaks across the state.
A another emergency fire warning has been issued in NSW, with residents near Orange
in the state's central west now also under threat.
The warning was issued for residents along Kangaroobie Rd, 9km west of Orange, with
strong winds pushing the grass fire towards them.
"A fast moving grass fire is burning in Severe fire danger conditions on the eastern
side of the Mitchell highway towards Kangaroobie Road," the Rural Fire Service said.
"Numerous rural properties along Kangaroobie road are under threat from the fire and
residents are being urged to check and follow your Bush Fire Survival Plan now."
RFS spokesman Anthony Clark said a couple of properties were in the line of the fire.
"We are seeing some very strong and gusty winds from the north west, up to 70km per
hour."
A fire burning less than two hours away from the NSW Hunter Valley town of Laguna
has also prompted emergency fire warning.
The Rural Fire Service (RFS) said the fire was burning in extreme fire danger
conditions at Watagan Creek, making it `uncontrollable, unpredictable and fast
moving.
"Embers will be blown ahead of the fire, creating spot fires in many different
directions," the RFS said in a statement.
"Spot fires will start up to 6km ahead of the main fire and they will move quickly.
"These spot fires may threaten your home earlier than the predicted main fire front."
Residents of Laguna, west of Newcastle, have been told to check and follow their
Bush Fire Survival Plan.
Users of a major Sydney motorway are being warned to expect visibility problems as a
result of a grass fire, the Rural Fire Service (RFS) warns.
The fire has started on the median strip at Symonds Road nearby the M7 motorway.
No properties are under threat as a result of the fire, but road users are asked to
slow down and watch out for fire crews working in the area and there is a risk of
reduced visibility.
Total fire bans are in place for much of NSW, including the greater Sydney,
Illawarra and Hunter regions, with fire danger categorised as severe and extreme for
about half of the state.
The Bureau of Meteorology maintains that Sydney's temperature will reach 41 degrees
ahead of a cool change late Sunday.
Smoke is blanketing the greater Sydney area, mainly drifting in from fires burning
northwest of the city.
"With a hot and dry northwesterly wind blowing, this is sending smoke over the
greater Sydney area," RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said.
"People with breathing illnesses should be taking precautions such as staying indoors.
"The smoke is expected to remain in the Sydney area until tonight, when a southerly
change is forecast."