Wildfires

Out of control bushfires rage across New South Wales, Australia

There are now 87 fires across NSW, with five at the most serious emergency warning status and Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons warned that a southerly change expected to sweep across the state in the next few hours could make conditions far worse.

However there are hundreds of firefighters in action and thousands more at the ready from a total pool of some 2500 firefighters, with no firefighters needing to be called in from inter state.

While the Sir Ivan fire continues to rage near Dunedoo, with a fire front now some 20km long, and the Pappinbarra Rd fire near Port Macquaire shows no sign of slowing, there are also emergency warnings in place for fires at Binalong Rd Boggabri, White Cedars Rd, Kains Flat north east of Mudgee and Spring Hill Rd Dondingalong southwest of Kempsey.

There are nine more fires at watch an act status across the state.

The Baptist Church at Aberdare has been destroyed by fire. The evening service reportedly had only finished five minutes earlier. No one was hurt.