bushfire

Authorities have been fighting the blaze since Monday.

A total of 29 homes and 142 outbuildings were destroyed and hundreds of livestock lost in New South Wales (NSW).

‘It’s a brave effort to go to the aid of someone else. Unfortunately it just wasn’t able to be done in this instance.’

The fire started near Toodyay Road in Gidgegannup and the alert was upgraded as it intensified.

The blaze at Ravenswood, a Launceston suburb, was reported around 3.20pm on March 6 and sparked a watch and act alert.

‘The temperatures have shot up, the winds have shot up.’

Firefighters could be there for more than a month, depending on how the rest of the fire season shakes out.

Firefighters are focused on preventing deaths as Victoria braces to confront catastrophic conditions on Feb. 28.

The fire has burned more than 20,800 hectares and destroyed six homes along with sheds and fences.

About 1000 firefighters have been battling the blaze including those operating water bombing aircraft.

‘We’ve deployed extra resources to the fire ground to help bring it under control.’

‘Many have lost houses and there’s a lot of broken hearts and broken dreams out there.’

More than two dozen homes along with outbuildings and vehicles have been destroyed.

Five members sustained minor injuries after their vehicle was involved in a burnover while on the fireground at Pomonal.

An emergency warning told those nearby they were in danger and needed to act immediately to survive.

‘There was no time to grab anything by the time I smelt the fire ... I knew I had like moments or seconds to go.’

‘It is burning in some very dense old-growth forest and this fire could continue and we’re expecting it to continue for the next several days.’

The push for round two of a cell boosting program comes after Australia recorded weather in 2023 was the hottest it has ever had.

‘Overnight the fire generated a thunderstorm to the southeast of the fireground, causing dangerous and erratic fire behaviour.’