Satellite Imagery Shows Scale of New South Wales Fires

Several emergency-level bushfires were burning on the northern coast of New South Wales in what state officials called a “catastrophic” situation on November 12.

Out-of-control fires were threatening homes near Kempsey, Tenterfield, Cessnock, Hillville, Richmond Valley, Nambucca, Nowendoc and Armidale, while two emergency-level blazes were impacting the Clarence Valley. Residents near the Rumba Dump Fire were told to seek shelter.

Residents in some of the affected areas were told it was “too late to leave” and to protect themselves “from the heat of the fire,” while others were ordered to evacuate immediately. Strong winds were preventing some waterbombers from reaching fires, New South Wales Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said.

This footage shows large plumes of smoke billowing out from the fires, as seen via satellite imagery. Credit: CIRA/RAMMB via Storyful