NSW: Winds troublesome but not catastrophic - fire chief

AAP General News (Australia)
12-30-2001
NSW: Winds troublesome but not catastrophic - fire chief

Winds are expected to be troublesome, as firefighters continue efforts to backburn
ahead of an expected flare-up of the NSW bushfires.

Rural Fire Service Commissioner PHIL KOPERBERG says the winds are worrying but crews
are relieved the extreme conditions forecast have not eventuated.

He's told the Nine Network the horror conditions which had been forecast don't look
like emerging.

Extensive backburning operations have been carried out overnight and through the morning
to contain the blazes and reduce their intensity when winds are forecast to pick up later
in the day.

Fires raging around the Sydney basin have the potential to threaten homes if they do
flare up including in the Blue Mountains, Hilltop, Mittagong and in the Shoalhaven district.

If fires flare there they may threaten properties in Sussex Inlet and St Georges Basin.

AAP RTV sal/jtb

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES NSW (SYDNEY)

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