Grass fire forces evacuations near Newcastle as dangerous weather hits
A grass fire near Newcastle prompted worker evacuations Monday as temperatures exceeded 30°C and wind gusts reached 53 kilometres per hour.
NSW Fire and Rescue received several calls at 12:45pm Monday about a grass fire burning across Tomago Road and Graham Drive near Newcastle. WesTrac evacuated its staff as a precaution.
Five fire trucks were deployed to fight the blaze, with two more expected to arrive. The fire was being controlled but burning north-east toward Masonite Road.
Conditions were extremely dangerous: temperatures in the Newcastle and Hunter region soared above 30 degrees, and wind gusts reached up to 53 kilometres per hour. The NSW Rural Fire Service advised people in the vicinity of Tomago Road and Masonite Road to prepare now.
Motorists were warned to avoid the region.
- 12:45pm Monday
- Time reported
- Above 30 degrees Celsius
- Temperature
- Up to 53 kilometres per hour
- Wind gusts
- 5 deployed, 2 more expected
- Fire trucks deployed
Why it mattersSpring fire weather in Australia can be as dangerous as summer, and communities need to prepare early when hot temperatures combine with high winds.
AustraliaResidents near Newcastle's industrial Tomago area faced immediate evacuation risk Monday, with roads closed and the incident demonstrating spring poses genuine fire danger to the Hunter region.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 d ago
