Monday, 11 November 2019
NORTHERN Tablelands MP Adam Marshall has this afternoon announced five schools across the region will be closed tomorrow due to the forecast of severe fire conditions.
Mr Marshall said the NSW Department of Education has determined for the safety of the school community its best children and teachers stay away.
“Tomorrow Ben Lomond Public School, Deepwater Public School, Emmaville Central School, Ebor Public School, Chandler Public School and Thalgarrah Environmental Education Centre will remain closed as fire continues to threaten these communities,” Mr Marshall said.
“The Department has made provisions for students from Wytaliba Public School which was destroyed on Friday to attend Glen Innes or Red Range Public Schools until property assessments are at Wytaliba are undertaken.
“It’s also been decided Armidale Waldorf School on Rockvale Road will be closed tomorrow,” Mr Marshall said.
Mr Marshall said with the region bracing for extreme to severe fire conditions tomorrow its vital residents have their bushfire plan ready to enact.
“Tomorrow’s fire situation will be like nothing ever seen before in NSW and sadly lives will be at risk,” he said.
“The North Western and Northern Slopes fire areas which take in the Moree Plains, Gwydir and Inverell Shire Council areas all have Extreme fire danger ratings in place for tomorrow which means if residents are not prepared to the highest level, they should leave early in the day if a fire ignites.
“There’s a Severe fire danger rating For the New England fire area which covers Glen Innes Severn, Tenterfield, Uralla and Walcha Shires which means well prepared homes that are actively defended can provide safety but you should only stay if you are physically and mentally prepared to defend in these conditions – but leaving early is the safest option for survival.”
Fire danger ratings and up to date information on the fire situation in your area can be found at https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information.
Due to the severity and unpredictable nature of the fire situation the decision to close other schools in the area could take place and parents should visit the Department of Education’s website for the latest closures https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/school-safety