Overview
- A National Parks and Wildlife Service firefighter died after being struck by a tree at Nerong near Bulahdelah, with police establishing a scene and WorkSafe notified as a coroner’s report is prepared.
- At least 20 homes have been confirmed destroyed across New South Wales, including 16 at Koolewong on the Central Coast and four at Bulahdelah, with further assessments continuing.
- Roughly 60 fires were burning on Monday and nine remained uncontained after a cool change and isolated rain helped crews strengthen lines, as authorities cautioned of renewed heat and winds this week.
- Disaster assistance has been activated for the Central Coast, Mid Coast, Upper Hunter, Muswellbrook, Warrumbungle and Dubbo, offering emergency accommodation, essential-needs support and loans for small businesses and primary producers.
- At the peak of the Koolewong emergency, more than 250 firefighters, 50 trucks and nine aircraft were deployed to protect homes and bolster containment efforts.