Bobbiwaa fire: extra crews and helicopters deployed to fight fire between Narrabri and Bingara; Mount Kaputar and Killarney Gap Road closed indefinitely

Five helicopters, four bulldozers and 60 firefighters were attacking the Bobbiwaa fire between Narrabri and Bingara on Thursday which had burnt out more than 900 hectares.

Extra resources have been deployed to fight the massive bushfire that has closed Killarney Gap Road and Mount Kaputar National Park indefinitely.

Namoi-Gwydir RFS Inspector Angela Daley said backburning operations were underway, with crews working to protect one property and build containment lines around others.

“There is very erratic fire behaviour due to how dry it is, and the fire danger ratings and dry conditions isn’t helping that,” she said.

Total fire bans are in place again on Friday for the Northern Slopes and North West fire zones, covering Tamworth, Gunnedah, Moree, Liverpool Plains and Narrabri council areas.

The North West is bracing for another round of severe fire danger conditions on Friday while the Northern Slopes and New England will experience a very high fire danger, according to the RFS.

Inspector Daley said the threat was still real and properties could come under threat in the current conditions, but the RFS had been working with landholders in the Killarney Gap area.

“We’re continuing to talk to residents,” she said.

“The fire is going to be burning in that area for sometime.

“It’s very steep, very rocky terrain, very difficult terrain.”