"Not Contained": Bulahdelah Fire Claims Life

A devastating bushfire season has begun with the tragic death of a firefighter in Bulahdelah on Sunday evening. The veteran was fatally struck by a falling tree while battling a blaze that has already consumed four properties in the broader area and blackened vast swathes of Myall Lakes National Park.

Residents of Bulahdelah, a popular stopover north of Sydney, recounted harrowing escapes as the fire, which had burnt 4,000 hectares by Monday afternoon, raged around their homes. One resident described the intense experience of defending his property, which was miraculously saved while his neighbor's was lost to the flames.

Firefighting efforts are ongoing, with crews from across the state converging on the area. Despite their best efforts, fire authorities warn the danger is far from over, with the fire remaining uncontained and expected to grow, posing a continued threat to nearby townships.