Australia Weather News

Up to 16 homes have been lost as bushfires burn across the NSW Mid North and Central Coasts. 

As of late Saturday afternoon, there are more than 75 bushfires burning, with 19 yet to be contained, across eastern and central New South Wales. 

Koolewong on the NSW Central Coast and Milsons Gully in the Upper Hunter bore the brunt of extreme fire conditions, with residents urged to evacuate just after midday. 

NSW Premier Chris Minns called a press conference on Saturday afternoon, describing it as a very challenging day for NSW firefighters and a devastating day for people who have lost their homes. 

He said more than 1,500 firefighters with 300 vehicles were deployed by the RFS and that the government was doing "everything we can to protect lives".

"Look, this is obviously a confronting day, particularly for the Central Coast," he said. 

"This is a warning for everybody to follow the advice from the RFS, from NSW Police, from fire and rescue."

NSW RFS Commissioner Trent Curtin said developing weather conditions, including lightning strikes, will be monitored overnight. 

"We're also concerned about the wind change that is expected to come through … somewhere between 2am and 5am tomorrow," he said. 

"That will create very challenging conditions for firefighters, and we'll need to monitor those conditions. 

"And we're asking members of the community in that area to monitor those conditions as well."

Koolewong fire

Mr Minns confirmed 12 homes were damaged or destroyed in Koolewong, adding that number "may rise".

The fast-moving fire in Koolewong made its way across to Woy Woy Bay, but there was no loss of life or people unaccounted-for.

Rural Fire Service Deputy Commissioner Ben Millington said firefighters said temperatures and strong winds had been a challenge for firefighters. 

"It's going to take several hours to get through this weather. We have warm temperatures, some strong winds on that fire, so it is very difficult at this stage, and there is a very big threat still in place," he said.

"We are asking people to heed the warnings, take advice from firefighters on the ground."

An evacuation centre has been established at Gosford RSL, which is so far housing around 60 residents. 

The RFS said at least 250 firefighters were called to the scene, with 50 fire trucks and nine aircraft assisting above ground. 

"We have several firefighting aircraft dispatched to that fire … those aircraft will assist us with getting access to the fire in difficult terrain," he said.

The bushfire impacted trains on the Central Coast and Newcastle line, suspending services running between Gosford and the Hawkesbury River.

Commuters are advised that trains will stop on platforms or between stations for longer than normal until the incident is resolved. 

Bulahdelah fire

Meanwhile, further north, a fire at Bulahdelah has burnt through more than 2,800 hectares since Thursday. 

RFS NSW confirmed on Saturday morning that up to four homes in the Crawford River area had been lost.

"We are actively fighting that fire. It has started to have increased activity this afternoon as the conditions warm," Deputy Commissioner Millington said.

Ms Bentham said access to the Pacific Highway fire ground at Bulahdelah had been "very difficult" in the formidable terrain.

"We are relying a lot on heavy plant to help push in and consolidate containment around the fire, which has been tough," she said.

"But we are also very lucky we have an amazing fleet of specialist aviation resources to help with bucketing water onto the fire to help with suppression, and also our bigger planes that can drop retardant lines to help slow that spread."

RFS Operational Officer Monica Bentham said it was thought lightning from a storm a few days ago sparked the fire, but firefighters would not be able to confirm this as the area will not be "safe enough for people to enter for quite some time".

There are no reports of injuries at this stage.

Milsons Gully

A bushfire that has been burning for several days within the Goulburn River National Park, west of Muswellbrook, was upgraded to emergency level on Saturday afternoon at Milsons Gully.

The RFS has urged people to be cautious, with expectations "very hot, dry, windy" conditions could potentially make things worse.

"The [Milsons Gully] fire activity is likely to increase, particularly along the Bylong Valley Way and potentially the Golden Highway," Ms Bentham told Newcastle's Saturday Breakfast.

"These roads may close at short notice due to smoke and fire impacting, so it's important people monitor the conditions very closely today and know what they're going to do.

"Identify a safe location in case a situation changes and you can't leave, and this may include a well-cleared area, or solid structure, or their home on the opposite side of the fire."

'Perfect combination' of weather conditions

Senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said areas of most concern were eastern and central NSW.

"We have severe heatwave conditions for much of eastern NSW, basically from Newcastle all the way down to around Batemans Bay and extending inland as well," he said.

Strong wind and intense heat is expected to continue for most of NSW.

"We're seeing temperatures in the high 30s to the low 40s and strong and gusty winds, which is a perfect combination for fires to develop and grow if they do get going," Mr Narramore said.

"We're concerned and we could also see some thunderstorms as well today, and that could spark more fires."

Authorities are urging people to monitor warnings, prepare early and avoid unnecessary travel in fire-prone areas.