On Friday night, a significant amount of smoke emanated from the vicinity of Bulahdelah, spreading across the Lower Hunter and Central Coast regions, eventually reaching Sydney. This thick haze added to the already demanding conditions faced by the state’s firefighting teams.

The Koolewong fire demanded immediate attention, yet despite the swift response by firefighters, several homes were engulfed in flames by the time emergency vehicles reached the scene. The rapid progression of the blaze highlighted the intensity of the situation and the urgent need for effective measures to safeguard communities.

As the smoke continued to drift and the fires persisted, the resilience and dedication of firefighters were put to the test. Despite the challenging circumstances, their efforts remain focused on minimizing the impact on lives and property across the affected regions.

Gosford MP Liesl Tesch said the fires had devastated the community.

Hot, west-to-northwesterly winds could cause erratic and variable fire danger, the Bureau of Meteorology’s Dean Narramore said.

Central and western parts of Queensland and areas in Western Australia’s north also sweated through balmy conditions.

More than a dozen properties damaged in Tasmania