Emergency warning reissued for a fire in the Hunter as strong winds force the closure of all but one runway at Sydney airport

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

A massive weather system that threw a blanket of dust over Sydney threatened to generate more unusual conditions across New South Wales and Victoria, with homes at risk in the Hunter from a fast-moving bushfire, flights delayed due to strong winds in Sydney and freezing temperatures in the Snowy Mountains.

The Bureau of Meteorology on Friday issued a severe weather warning for damaging winds over the state’s southeast – stretching from the Victorian border up to the Hunter region.

Play Video 0:50 Dust storm's ominous red wall moves from outback to Sydney – video

Gusts of more than 90km/h were expected, with possible blizzards in the Alpine areas.

Flights were cancelled and delayed at Sydney airport and air quality was expected to remain poor in Sydney for another day.

Stronger-than-expected winds whipped up a fast-moving bushfire in the Hunter region, putting dozens of homes near Newcastle airport under threat.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Rural fire crews battle an out-of-control fire near houses along Lemon Tree Passage Road in Salt Ash. Photograph: Darren Pateman/AAP

An emergency warning was reissued on Friday morning after the blaze at Campvale flared up just after sunrise and headed towards Rookes Road in Salt Ash.

NSW dust storm: spike in reports of breathing difficulties as 'hazardous' front descends on Sydney Read more

As a result, the NSW Rural Fire Service declared a total fire ban in the Hunter and increased the fire danger rating to severe.

“The fire is burning very aggressively and is moving very quickly,” NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons told ABC TV on Friday.

“At the moment you’re talking about dozens of properties being directly impacted as the fire moves in around the Salt Ash area.”

Residents were told to stay put, with several roads in and out of the area closed. Access to Lemon Tree Passage and Nelson Bay was restricted, with people in those communities isolated.

“There’s a lot of concentrated effort going to stop the fire reaching the more established community areas along the [Nelson Bay] peninsula,” he said.

Four large air tankers were helping to battle the blaze – including Gaia, the 737 which was used on Thursday in a world-first.

But Fitzsimmons warned stronger winds could make it too dangerous to fly any aircraft.

“It’s going to be a difficult afternoon,” he said.

“People need to stay well informed and be ready to act accordingly.”

More than 200 firefighters spent the night battling the blaze, which had already burnt through more than 1,300 hectares.

Strong winds from a low-pressure system whipped up masses of dirt across the drought-stricken state and from South Australian lake beds before it moved towards the coast on Thursday.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Clouds above a dust storm as it descends upon Sydney on Thursday. Photograph: David Gray/Reuters

Extra paramedics and call takers were on duty on Thursday to keep up with a rise in calls from people suffering asthma and other breathing difficulties.

Sydney airport was restricted to using only one runway on Friday, causing chaos for travellers.

Jessica Maggio (@jbmaggio) Departures boards showing dozens of cancelled flights @SydneyAirport as travellers wait for rescheduling. @7NewsSydney #airportdelays #7News pic.twitter.com/np28O4W37K

“International and domestic terminals are experiencing some flight delays. Please contact your airline for more information,” the airport tweeted on Friday morning.

Qantas and Virgin Australia both warning passengers of delays.

Stephen Mudd (@muddhism) Chaos at domestic @VirginAustralia bag drop this morning. #sydneyairport pic.twitter.com/Tn9VxORHcG

“Sydney and Melbourne airports have reduced the number of flights allowed to arrive and depart each hour, which is impacting all airlines,” Virgin said in a statement.

“This may also affect flights arriving and departing into other destinations across the network.”

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather warning to sheep graziers in the central and southern tablelands, south west slopes, Snowy Mountains and Australian Capital Territory because of low temperatures, showers and strong westerly winds.

Snow showers were predicted at Thredbo, with a maximum temperature of 1C on Friday, after parts of the Snowies received a proper dusting of snow on Thursday.

Damaging winds with gusts of up to 120km/h were also expected east of Orbost, in Victoria, on Friday.

The Victorian State Emergency Service has urged locals to move cars away from trees, secure loose items and keep clear of fallen power lines.

Further south, Tasmanian police were dealing with several calls about fallen trees in north-eastern parts of the state, with drivers urged to take extra care on the roads.