Not again: Out-of-control blaze tears through bushland in Australia as new fire season kicks off in WINTER - just months after summer from hell
- Firefighters are battling the first bushfire of the season in New South Wales
- Authorities are on the scene of a 164ha fire at Duranbah at the NSW/QLD border
- News of the August blaze has ignited fear in the community of a horror season
Firefighters are struggling to contain an out of control blaze spreading in strong winds near the New South Wales and Queensland border.
The 164 hectare blaze is burning at Clothiers Creek Road and the Pacific Highway at Duranbah, in northern New South Wales.
More than 13 firefighters were on the ground on Wednesday with a helicopter flying overhead to douse the blaze, which spread from a suspected burn off on a private property.
Thick plumes of smoke are billowing off the 164 hectare blaze visible from the Pacific Highway, at Duranbah, in northern New South Wales (pictured)
The fire is burning in swampy grass land to the north of Clothiers Creek Road, heading in a northerly direction towards Cudgen Lake and Duranbah.
A spokesperson for the New South Wales Rural fire service told Daily Mail Australia there are no threats to any people or properties at this stage.
The fire is burning at an 'advice' level meaning residents are urged to stay on top of conditions and keep alert.
Locals around Forest Hill Rd and the Tanglewood are being urged to monitor conditions, take advice from firefighters in the area and follow their bush fire survival plan.
While motorists are being advised smoke will be visible from the M1 Pacific Motorway.
More than 13 firefighters are on the ground with a helicopter flying overhead to douse the blaze which spread from a suspected burn off on a private property (pictured)
News of the winter fire has sparked fears among the community about the onset of this year's bushfire season.
The bushfire danger period commenced early for six local government areas in New South Wales - Armidale, Walcha, Uralla, Glen Innes Severn, Inverell and Tenterfield.
The official bushfire danger period will begin on October 1.
NSW RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers previously expressed concerns about the onset of grass fires in these areas rather than bushfires, due to prolonged dry conditions.
'While an early fire season is not unusual in these areas, increased grass growth due to recent rain could prove problematic over coming weeks and months,' Commissioner Rogers said.
'Grass fires can be especially dangerous because they start quickly and spread rapidly, destroying not only homes and stock, but also lives and livelihoods.'
The fire is burning at an 'advice' level meaning residents are urged to stay on top of conditions and keep alert
Grassfires move about three times faster than bushfires.
Social media has blown up after the announcement as well, with many Australians still reeling from last year's catastrophic bushfire season.
'Again the true magnificence of this great country, a fire burning on the North Coast while it is snowing/raining on the Blue Mountains!' one man wrote.
'Oh god! Has it already started' another said.
'Here we go again.'
In the 2019/20 summer season, 3,094 homes were destroyed in New South wales alone and more than 5 million hectares of land burnt across the state.
