Fires at Wollemi National Park close local roads - Sydney Morning Herald

Lightning storms triggered bushfires in Wollemi National Park, on the outskirts of Sydney, overnight, closing some roads.

NSW Rural Fire Service Superintendent Matt Inwood said there are several fires burning in the park, which is close to outer Sydney suburbs such as Kurrajong, and the RFS has sent reconnaissance flights over the area to develop a plan for fighting the blazes.

‘‘There was a band of lightning which went through the park, but brought very little rain with it,’’ Superintendent Inwood said.

‘‘There are no homes in danger at this stage.

‘‘Local roads, particularly Putty Road, will be closed on and off throughout the day.’’

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the temperature for Richmond, which is south of the Wollemi national park, is expected to reach 29 degrees today and the wind speed will increase to more than 20 kilometres per hour by 5pm, blowing in a north-westerly direction.

He said there are 130 fires burning around the state, 30 of which are still not contained, adding that the fires at the national park were the ones closest to Sydney.

All tracks and trails in NSW National Parks are closed until Monday, but picnic areas in parks in the east of the state remain open.

Lightning

The thunder storms and associated lightning last night blew through a region stretching from the Hunter region up to the Queensland border.

‘‘A significant band of lighting hit the north of the state moving through Coonabarabran and between Armidale and Kempsey, which triggered a lot of fires.

‘‘There are very high temperatures expected for the north of the state, with temperatures in the high 40s expected for places like Bourke, so it’s going to be a big day ahead for the RFS in that region.’’

Earlier today, an RFS spokesman said the lighting started about 45 new fires, about half of which had been contained but the rest were in isolated terrain.

Superintendent Inwood said there was a reprieve for fire fighters in the south of the state, with cooler temperatures and less severe winds allowing fire fighters to set up containment lines.

‘‘The improved weather conditions were welcomed by fire fighters, but it will still be a tough day ahead for them all over the state.’’

Road rules

A NSW Police Media spokeswoman said motorists were advised that Putty Road will be closed intermittently from 9am today, due to a bushfire at the Wollemi national park, burning approximately 50 kilometres north of Windsor.

She said motorists should reconsider their journey or use an alternate route as delays are expected.

The RTA Live Traffic websites says Putty Road is closed in both directions at Colo Heights, approximately 30-50 kilometres north of Windsor, due to a bushfire.