NSW, Sydney, QLD bushfires live updates: Police investigate 7 fires | news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site

After firefighters faced harrowing conditions across NSW yesterday, and conditions are worsening in Queensland today.

• A state of emergency was declared in on Monday in NSW and remains in place.
• Greater Sydney, Greater Hunter and Illawarra/Shoalhaven continue to face “catastrophic fire danger”;
• NSW Police are now investigating seven suspicious fires across the state;
• Up to 50 homes were damaged or destroyed by fires yesterday;
• 83 fires are burning in NSW, 36 of which are not contained;
• 61 fires are burning in Queensland. 11 are at Watch and Act level. 
• Residents in four areas in Queensland have been urged to leave.
• Hundreds of schools across both states remain closed today.

Follow our Wednesday live blog here for updates on how the day unfolds.

Updates

Police are appealing for assistance from the public as they start the process of investigating seven fires they suspect may have been deliberately lit across NSW.

With catastrophic conditions at play and a state of emergency declared on Monday, NSW was yesterday under a strict total fire ban. Police have asked for assistance from the public surrounding a number of fires across the state, and have released details in the hopes that tip offs from the public may help them with their investigation.

Police have said anyone with information about suspicious activity around the following areas and times to contact Crime Stoppers.

• About 10.30am, New England Highway near Moonbi, north of Tamworth
• Just before 2.30pm, Hooka Creek Road, Berkeley, in Lake Illawarra
• About 3.15pm, three fires in bushland north west of Doonan Place, Balgownie, in Wollongong.
• Shortly after 3pm in the vicinity of Bradley’s Reserve, Kissing Point Road; and 4pm, near Canoon Road, South Turramurra in Sydney's Upper North Shore
• Just after 4.30pm, in the vicinity of Honeymoon Lookout, Cliff Drive, Katoomba in the Blue Mountains
• From 4.30pm, four fires throughout Morisset, in Lake Macquarie
• From 7pm, Royal National Park near Loftus in the Sutherland Shire

An image of reported fires from Geoscience Australia. Picture: Sentinel.ga.gov

Gary Worboys, Deputy Commissioner praised the community for coming together in the midst of catastrophic conditions yesterday.

State Emergency Operations Controller (SEOCON), Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys APM, praised the community for working together and supporting each other so positively.

“It has been heartening to see the community working together as we experienced catastrophic fire conditions over the past few days,” Deputy Commissioner Worboys said.

“Now we need help from the community again – this time to assist our detectives who are beginning investigations into the cause of fires suspected of being deliberately lit across several police area commands and police districts,” Deputy Commissioner Worboys said.

Anyone who sees further suspicious activity is urged to contact police.

A state of emergency continues across NSW.

Police suspect a fire in the Royal National Park near Loftus may have been deliberately lit. Picture: Engadine Bush Fire Brigade

This live blog has concluded for today, but news.com.au's live coverage of bushfires in NSW and Queensland continues.

Follow our most up to date coverage at the live blog here.

Residents in Pechey in QLD have been told to leave now as a Watch and Act fire in their area is upgraded.

Pechey is an area in the Toowoomba region of QLD. The bushfire is affecting the area in Pechey and Hampton, and the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service has advised conditions in the area are deteriorating.

According to authorities, a fast moving fire is travelling from Grapetree Road towards Deeth Road, Sewell Road, Parker Road, Bush Road and Misty Mountain Road.

Blazes are impacting Parker Road and Sewell Road in the area.

As conditions in Queensland deteriorate, residents from three different areas have been urged to evacuate.

The Queensland Fire and Emergency Service has urged residents from northern Noosa, Kilkivan and Woodgate and Walkers Point to evacuate, as dangerous fires in the different areas advance.

Residents in northern Noosa have been told to "leave immediately".

Images of northern Noosa today. Via 7 News.

Fires in Kilkivan near Gympie were also upgraded to leave now at about 11.30am today. People who have already left are urged not to return, as it is no longer safe.

In Woodgate and Walkers Point, south of Bundaberg, residents were earlier urged to leave.

Residents at Woodgate and Walkers Point, south of Bundaberg in Queensland have been told evacuate, as a fast moving bushfire in the area is upgraded to Leave Now status.

Residents are advised a bushfire is burning in Woodgate, travelling towards Walkers Point Road. According to the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service, conditions are getting worse.

Those in the Walkers Point area should evacuate via Walkers Point Road, towards Woodgate Bowls Club, Kangaroo Court.

Further information is available at the Queensland Rural Fire Service site.

Information about road closures can be found at the QLD Traffic site, or by calling 13 19 40.

Residents of the northern shore of Noosa have been told to "leave now" as a dangerous bushfire approaches the area.

Picture: @mramsden2 via Twitter

The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) said a bushfire on the Noosa North Shore had spread, upgrading their warning to Leave Now. Residents were urged to follow their bushfire plan.

"If you do not have a plan, your safest option is to leave now if it is clear to do so," QFES advised.

"If you are not in the area, do not return, as conditions are too dangerous."

The fire is burning around Beach Road and the First Cutting, and QFES warned it may impact the Wallaby Track.

"This fire could have a significant impact on the community," QFES warned.

Residents are advised to take the Noosa River Ferry to Moorindil Street. An evacuation centre has been established at the Noosa Leisure Centre on Wallace Drive.

Further information is available at the Queensland Rural Fire Service site.

Information about road closures can be found at the QLD Traffic site, or by calling 13 19 40.

NSW Firefighters have shared some stats on the mammoth effort being undertaken by their crews as they tackle catastrophic conditions this week.

The RFS said yesterday during the worst moments of emergency conditions, firefighters were battling 19 emergency-level fires around the state.

Of these 19 fires, at one point, 16 of these emergency-level fires were being fought at the same time.

Russell Crowe has shared photos of damage suffered at his large property at Nana Glen, a rural town in the hinterlands, north west of Coffs Harbour.

Crowe yesterday confirmed his former home, where his parents now reside, was under threat as bushfires reached the area yesterday. He said his family were safe with friends.

Today, the actor shared images of the Nana Glen property, saying he's lost some buildings but he was "overall" lucky.

Read more: Russell Crowe’s property under threat and The Block 2019 stars evacuate amid bushfire disaster

Photos have emerged showing shocking devastation at the town of Glenreagh, a town north west of Coffs Harbour, and nearby Grafton.

The small town, with an estimated population of about 900, was hit by devastating fires yesterday and extending through the night, which destroyed homes in the area.

The Liberation Trail Fire in nearby Nana Glen was upgraded to emergency status yesterday, and fires in the area threatened residents in a large area across the mid north coast, with authorities fearing ires could spread quickly to the coast in the catastrophic conditions.

Horses graze after a nearby paddock was scorched by fire in Glenreagh. Picture: William West

A home, garage and cars destroyed in Glenreagh. Picture: William West

Picture: William West

Picture: William West

Smoky skies are not what usually springs to mind when you think of sunny Queensland.

The QLD Bureau of Meteorology has shared satellite imagery showing how drought, dust and fires are causing hazardous conditions for people in the state.

Residents have been warned to stay indoors, as smoke covers Queensland. Picture: Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland

Health officials have warned people with conditions, and those vulnerable to stay indoors. Dust and air quality is forecast to plunge again on Wednesday as smoke from the Queensland and NSW fires spreads.

Residents of Queensland can find health updates in their area at Queensland Health.