Firefighters struggle to contain raging bushfires around Canberra as experts warn conditions mirror inferno that destroyed 500 homes and left four dead

  • Firefighters have worked into the night on Friday to contain a 147 hectare blaze
  • The flames have reached seven kilometers from the edge of western Canberra
  • The ACT emergency services commissioner said it started from a burning car 
  • Dry and windy weather has fuelled the fire - similar to the deadly blaze of 2003 

By Australian Associated Press and Charlie Coe For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 20:30 EDT, 2 November 2018 | Updated: 20:41 EDT, 2 November 2018

Firefighters worked into the night on Friday to contain a bushfire outside Canberra in treacherous conditions.

The hot, dry and windy weather which fuelled the blaze was compared by authorities to the 2003 fires that killed four people and destroyed almost 500 homes.

A watch-and-act alert was issued for the Pierces Creek blaze southwest of Canberra but later downgraded. 

A water bombing plane (pictured) was used to drop fire retardant as firefighters worked into the night on Friday to contain a bushfire outside Canberra in treacherous conditions 

A water bombing plane (pictured) was used to drop fire retardant as firefighters worked into the night on Friday to contain a bushfire outside Canberra in treacherous conditions 

The fire had burnt through 147 hectares (fire pictured) and was seven kilometers away from Kambah on Canberra's western outskirts by Saturday morning but no homes were threatened

The fire had burnt through 147 hectares (fire pictured) and was seven kilometers away from Kambah on Canberra's western outskirts by Saturday morning but no homes were threatened

The fire had burnt through 147 hectares and was seven kilometers away from Kambah on Canberra's western outskirts by Saturday morning but no homes were threatened.

ACT emergency services commissioner Dominic Lane said authorities remained concerned as firefighters dealt with heavy winds and dry terrain.

He confirmed the fire started from a burning car. 

ACT emergency services commissioner Dominic Lane said authorities remained concerned as firefighters dealt with heavy winds and dry terrain

ACT emergency services commissioner Dominic Lane said authorities remained concerned as firefighters dealt with heavy winds and dry terrain


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'Due to the extremely dry conditions we are facing, we are seeing similar conditions to what we saw in 2003,' Mr Lane told reporters.

'Now is not the time to be lighting fires in this dry environment; you will be doing significant damage to your community and if you are caught you will have to suffer the consequences.'

The ESA doorknocked up to 700 homes from Kambah to Gordon but said it was an 'education activity' to inform people of the threat and what materials they may need.

 In New South Wales, meanwhile, a raging fire that broke out at the edge of a major highway caused disruption for commuters traveling home Friday afternoon. 

The bushfire came dangerously close to the Pacific Highway in Freemans Waterhole, a small town west of Lake Macquarie, about 3pm.

Fire warnings are also in place in Swanston in eastern Tasmania where a 600 hectare blaze has been exacerbated by strong winds.

The hot, dry and windy weather that fuelled the blaze was compared by authorities to the 2003 Canberra fires (pictured) that killed four people and destroyed almost 500 homes

The hot, dry and windy weather that fuelled the blaze was compared by authorities to the 2003 Canberra fires (pictured) that killed four people and destroyed almost 500 homes

 

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Firefighters struggle with Canberra bushfires as experts warn conditions mirror deadly 2003 inferno

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