Firefighters to backburn overnight as fire threat eases

Caitlin Powell |

Smoke from the bushfire can been seen across many parts of Sydney.
Smoke from the bushfire can been seen across many parts of Sydney.

Firefighters will backburn overnight behind properties in Sydney’s Northern Beaches as conditions that fanned a large bushfire ease.

The NSW Rural Fire Service says an 80-hectare blaze is burning eastward between Cromer Heights and Oxford Falls, warning residents to monitor conditions in case the situation changes.

The service had issued an emergency warning at 3pm AEST on Saturday, telling people on Pinduro Place, Jersey Place, Maybrook Avenue, Kirrang St and Lady Penryhn Drive in the Cromer Heights area they were at risk.

The fire has since been downgraded to “monitor conditions” as backburning operations began behind properties near Oxford Falls Rd, Lady Penrhyn Drive, Willandra Drive, Maybrook Avenue and Pinduro Place.

Firefighters and waterbombing aircraft worked to slow its spread as the wind and temperature dropped.

Smoke from a bushfire
Smoke from the bushfire could be seen across many parts of Sydney. (Farid Farid/AAP PHOTOS)

The fire service warned residents they will see more smoke as a result of the backburning.

Willandra Rd will stay closed between McIntosh Rd and Little Willandra Rd.

There were no reports of injuries or damage.

AAP