The 4,646 hectare fire burning in ACT’s rugged high country is threatening Tharwa, where residents have been told it’s too late to leave

This article is more than 7 months old

This article is more than 7 months old

An out-of-control bushfire burning in the Australian Capital Territory’s high country is threatening the small village of Tharwa and is expected to start spot fires close to Canberra’s southernmost suburb this evening, authorities have warned.

Chief minister Andrew Barr has described the conditions in the ACT as the worst experienced since 2003, when a bushfire tore through Canberra, destroying almost 500 homes and killing four.

“This is the most serious situation that we have faced since the 2003 bushfires,” Barr said in a press conference at 5.40pm.

The bushfire is creating its own weather pattern, is spotting 5km ahead of the fire front, and had burned through 4,646 hectares as of 4.30pm.

Conditions were expected to deteriorate on Tuesday evening, as winds picked up.

An emergency warning was issued by the ACT emergency services agency on Tuesday at 4pm telling those in Tharwa, a small village in the ACT’s south, to evacuate. The village has a population of about 80.

But the advice was changed at 4.30pm to state it was now too late to leave and to seek shelter immediately.

“The fire may pose a threat to all lives directly in its path,” the advice said. “People in these suburbs are in danger and need to seek immediate shelter as the fire approaches.”

The fire is also threatening properties in rural areas on Boboyan, Apollo and Top Naas roads.

Residents in those areas are also being told it is too late to leave.

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Tharwa is about 10 minutes drive from Canberra’s southernmost suburb, Banks.

“We are starting activities, doorknocking activities, in Banks,” Barr said. “People should be aware that the fire is spotting well ahead and could come within 1km of Banks shortly.”

Residents in Banks and the neighbouring Conder, Gordon, and Calwell were told to monitor the situation closely. At 5pm, they were told to activate their bushfire survival plans.

The fire was growing by 400 hectares every hour at one stage on Tuesday. Georgeina Whelan, the ACT Emergency Services Agency commissioner, said the conditions were extremely difficult for firefighters.

A vast plume of smoke can be seen is rising from the mountains to the city’s south.

“The smoke plumes that you are seeing have been increased because this fire is creating its own weather pattern,” Whelan said. “The hot uphill runs into the rugged terrain are drawing dryer air from higher up. This is creating local fire winds and dangerous and erratic fire behaviour.”

“This is what has triggered the spotting to the north, north-east and east of the main body of the fire.”

Tom Maddocks (@MaddocksThomas) The view from the edge of the suburb of Banks. pic.twitter.com/JEuGcnyD5V

Emergency services battled the fire in Namadgi national park overnight, with 19 firefighting units, six helicopters and a large air tanker battling the out-of-control fire in Orroral Valley.

Containment lines were being constructed by the military to protect the city. The defence force was also conducting air intelligence.

There are fears for the site – now only concrete remains – of the former Honeysuckle Creek tracking station, which in July 1969 captured the footage of the first moon landing.

Gavin J.D. Smith (@gavin_jd_smith) The scariest vista I have ever seen: this is the view from out home in South #Canberra. Very anxious right now and feel so sorry for all the creatures and people in the #fire path. Stay safe all. #ACT #bushfireaustralia #Bushfire #bushfirecrisis pic.twitter.com/X3iFUdZK4o

Landholders and residents were told to activate their bushfire plans, with the Exhibition Park showground in Canberra being opened for horses. An evacuation centre has also been opened at Erindale College in Wanniassa, a suburb in Canberra’s south.

Firefighters were expecting a challenging seven to 10 days, as a heatwave bore down on the nation’s capital.

Authorities warned the situation could get worse with hot and slightly windy conditions fanning the blaze.

The ACT was experiencing low humidity with and a total fire ban remained in place. Emergency services were expecting wind gusts of up to 40km/h on Tuesday afternoon and predicted erratic fire behaviour until 9pm.

Canberra was devastated by bushfires in 2003 after out-of-control fires began in the mountains and swept into the city from the south-west.

Barr said he knew residents in the south and in Tharwa would be “anxious” about the situation.

“We know the next few days are going to be uncomfortable, with extreme heat and smoke haze from the fire continuing to impact across the territory,” Barr said.

“Canberrans can help by looking out for one another, particularly the vulnerable and elderly in our community.”

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Marita (@mareetsyo) Another gut-churning sight this afternoon. Namadgi National Park. pic.twitter.com/B37ICEyaFY

Spot fires broke out 5km east from the main fire as the larger blaze headed south-east.

Canberrans woke to smoke haze on Tuesday morning after it reached the capital late on Monday night.

Defence and State Emergency Services personnel were doorknocking areas near the fire to warn residents.

The ACT Emergency Services Agency declared a total fire ban until midnight on Friday.

Whelan said on Monday evening the territory would face a “tough seven to 10 days” due to a “challenging” weather forecast.

The mercury is tipped to hit 35C on Tuesday, with winds becoming westerly 20km/h to 30km/h in the morning and shifting to south-easterly later in the day.

On Tuesday the NSW Rural Fire Service said a further 25 homes had been lost to bushfires in the state, taking the total number of losses this season to almost 2,400.

Assessments carried out since Friday revealed the losses, but showed almost 300 homes had been saved in the most recent blazes.

Fire danger was very high in the central and southeast regions of NSW on Tuesday, with the southern ranges under a total fire ban.

“Worsening conditions are forecast for later in the week so prepare now,” the fire service said on Twitter.