NSW: Fire eases near Bathurst after homes threatened

AAP General News (Australia)
12-05-2009
NSW: Fire eases near Bathurst after homes threatened

SYDNEY, Dec 4 AAP - A bushfire burnt close to properties west of Sydney on Friday.

The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) said firefighters will continue to work overnight
on containing a fire burning in bushland north of Eglinton in Bathurst in the NSW central
west.

The fire was threatening properties earlier on Friday, but no properties were now under
threat, the RFS said.

There have been no reported homes lost or damaged.

More than 100 firefighters and 11 water bombing aircraft fought the fire on Friday
and heavy earth-moving machinery was sent from Sydney late on Friday to assist.

Crews will continue to establish containment lines overnight between Duramana Road,
north of Eglinton, and Sofala Road between Peel and Bathurst, the RFS said.

Weather for Saturday is expected once again to make firefighting difficult, the RFS said.

Temperatures are forecast to be in the low 30s with moderate to fresh winds from the
south west and there is no significant rainfall forecast over the coming days.

There is a total fire ban in place for Saturday for the Central Ranges area.

Meanwhile, a second blaze is burning near Rockley Mountain, south of Bathurst.

It has burnt 160 hectares of bushland but is not posing a threat to properties.

Over 60 firefighters and nine water bombing aircraft fought the fire on Friday.

AAP lm/rs

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES NSW WRAP

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