Fire near Crookwell in the NSW Southern Tablelands upgraded to emergency level – ABC News

Fire near Crookwell in the NSW Southern Tablelands upgraded to emergency level
There is an emergency fire warning in place for Curraweela in New South Wales, 35km north-east of Crookwell. For the latest information, search ABC Emergency
An emergency level fire in the New South Wales Southern Tablelands is impacting homes and buildings. 
Some people are being told it is too late to leave as the Curraweela blaze, about 40 kilometres north-east of Crookwell, grows rapidly. 
The 2,100-hectare out-of-control fire is being fanned in an easterly direction by strong winds. 
About 20 properties in the area of Taralga Road, Jerrong Road and Old Station Creek Road are being impacted, and those residents are being warned to seek shelter. 
Residents between Jerrong Rd and Wombeyan Caves Rd are also being told they cannot leave because the fire is approaching quickly.
Evacuation centres have been at Crookwell Services Club, at 160 Goulburn St, Crookwell, and Taralga Showground, Walsh Street, Taralga, where livestock can be taken.
Smoke from the blaze can be seen from space as well as in Picton and Wollongong, where people are being asked not to call Triple Zero just to report smoke.
NSW Rural Fire Service spokesperson Greg Allen warned the number of properties being affected could grow. 
"That fire is moving very quickly in that area," he said. 
Mr Allen said the fire was mostly burning in grassland. 
"That's adding to why the fire is moving so quickly, being that grassfires can move up to three times more quickly than bushfires," he said. 
However, the fire entered bushland in the late afternoon, which the RFS warned would increase the chance of spot fires and increase its spread. 
The focus is now on property and life protection. 
Fire bombers have been brought in from Sydney to try and slow the spread of the blaze.
About 140 firefighters and seven aircraft are in the area, with multiple strike teams being brought from outside the area. 
"Firefighters are doing whatever they can with the support of heavy plant equipment, with large air tanker and aviation support, to control this fire as soon as possible, but the winds are incredibly strong this afternoon," Mr Allen said. 
He warned people in the areas north of the fire should remain vigilant because a southerly wind change was forecast over the next 24 hours.
The Upper Lachlan Area was on Thursday experiencing extreme fire danger conditions, with a total fire ban in place across the Southern Ranges. 
A watch and act alert was first issued at noon on Thursday.
About 35 fires are burning across New South Wales. 
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