Wingecarribee (Gulp Road) Fire Update 07/01/09 09:28

Posted: 07/01/2009
Firefighters are continuing to work on a fire which is burning in the Morton National Park, approximately nine kilometres east of Wingello.

Currently, the fire has burnt more than 350 hectares of forest. The fire is burning in inaccessible bushland. At this stage, no property is under threat. Smoke may impact the areas of Kangaroo Valley and Shoalhaven Heads.

Fire crews have been monitoring the fire overnight. Due to the inaccessible nature of the terrain, bulldozers and graders are working around the perimeter to gain access to the fire on the northwest and southwest edges. Firefighters will then be deployed as conditions allow. Weather conditions are expected to change late this evening or early Thursday morning, resulting in cooler temperatures and higher humidity. This may result in smoke being blown towards the townships of Penrose and Bundanoon.

There are currently no road closures in the area however motorists should take all appropriate precautions when driving through smoke affected areas. People with respiratory conditions should take precautions if affected by smoke.

The fire started on Sunday 4 January 2009 during a dry lightning storm in the area. On Tuesday 6 January 2009, the fire was declared a section 44 bush fire emergency, meaning more resources are now available.