Dozens of Homes Lost as Bushfires Ravage NSW Central Coast and Mid North Coast Amid Heatwave
News report /Summary generated with assistance of Google Gemini AI/Images from AAP
Sunday 07 December,2025
KOOLEWONG, NSW — A day of extreme fire danger on Saturday saw devastating bushfires sweep across New South Wales, claiming at least a dozen homes on the Central Coast and the Mid North Coast, as fire crews battled soaring temperatures and unpredictable, gusty winds.
The worst of the destruction was felt in the Central Coast suburb of Koolewong, where a fast-moving fire, driven by fierce winds, engulfed multiple properties, forcing residents to evacuate immediately. The blaze quickly escalated to an Emergency Warning level as it spotted across the water towards the Woy Woy Bay and Phegans Bay areas.
Central Coast Blaze Claims Homes in Koolewong
The fire at Nimbin Road, Koolewong, tragically destroyed at least 12 homes, according to reports from the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS). NSW Premier Chris Minns confirmed the devastating loss, describing it as “the worst news imaginable in the run-up to Christmas.”
RFS Assistant Commissioner Leigh Pilkington noted the speed and ferocity of the fire, stating that by the time crews arrived, several homes were already engulfed in flames.
The blaze also caused major disruptions to the transport network, with train services on the Central Coast and Newcastle Line suspended between Gosford and the Hawkesbury River due to the fire impacting nearby rail lines. Commuters faced significant delays and cancellations throughout the day.
Bulahdelah Fire Extends its Reach on Mid North Coast
Further north, the established Pacific Highway Fire near Bulahdelah continued to burn fiercely under the extreme conditions, with the RFS confirming that up to four homes have been lost in the vicinity of Crawford River and Nerong.
This major blaze, which has scorched more than 3,275 hectares, prompted an Emergency Warning as it burned on both sides of the Pacific Highway, causing significant closures. Firefighters have been working tirelessly in “difficult terrain” to contain the fire’s southern edge, which was spreading in a south and southwesterly direction towards Nerong.
State-Wide Threat as Heatwave Fuels Fires
The destructive fires at Koolewong and Bulahdelah were part of a broader crisis across NSW, with more than 75 fires burning across the state yesterday, and 19 of them yet to be contained.
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Extreme Fire Danger: The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) had forecast extreme fire danger for much of eastern and central NSW, with temperatures soaring past in some areas, coupled with strong, gusty west-to-northwesterly winds.
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Milsons Gully Emergency: Another major fire reached Emergency Warning level at Milsons Gully in the Upper Hunter region, burning through thousands of hectares and threatening rural properties.
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The ‘Perfect Combination’: BoM Senior Meteorologist Dean Narramore described the conditions—intense heat, dry air, and strong, gusty winds—as the “perfect combination for fires to develop and grow.”
Authorities warned that conditions would remain challenging as a cool southerly change was expected to bring strong winds and the risk of dry lightning strikes, which could spark new blazes.
RFS Deputy Commissioner Ben Millington urged communities to remain vigilant, stating, “We’re not out of the woods yet.”
Disaster Assistance and Community Support
Damage assessment teams and fire investigators are on the ground today to determine the full extent of the loss and the cause of the fires. Federal and state disaster assistance funding has been activated for the Central Coast, Mid-Coast, and other affected areas to support residents who have lost their homes.
The RFS continues to urge all residents to have a Bush Fire Survival Plan in place and to monitor the official Fires Near Me app and RFS website for the latest updates.
The community is urged to continue monitoring conditions closely and be ready to act.
