Improved conditions today have given firefighters fighting the fire north of Tenterfield a reprieve, but the blaze's status has reverted to out of control with nearly 20,000 hectares burnt.
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Mt Lindesay Road between Black Swamp Road and Undercliffe Road is close in both directions and travellers are being urged to avoid the area.
Rural Fire Services public liaison officer Angela Daley said the wind changed direction to a southerly last night, with the fire now moving towards the Jennings area. Crews have been deployed to Jennings and also into the Mount Lindesay Road/Talmoi area.
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National Parks crews are working around the Bald Rock area along with more than 20 firefighters with nine or 10 vehicles. They are being supported by water bombers and Queensland crews. The number of those deployed to the fire is expected to increase today.
Some 15,000 hectares of brush, five entire properties and part of a sixth have been burnt out in the Talmoi area along with fencing, although no homes are reported to have been lost at this stage. Tenterfield mayor Peter Petty is currently hauling emergency fodder from the coast to feed stranded livestock.
"There's not a blade of grass left," Tenterfield Shire Council chief executive Terry Dodds said.
"Animal husbandry's going to be an issue. We have to work out where to take the stock."
The fire broke containment lines yesterday, crossing the Mt Lindesay road, travelling towards the Bruxner Highway.
Conditions have improved with the fire danger rating reduced to 'high' and more humid easterly winds and lower temperatures assisting fire crews. Temperatures are expected to increase later in the week, with conditions potentially worsening.
Ms Daley said the fire is by no means contained.
"The country that that fire is burning in is very difficult country. Containment lines, as in roads and rivers, are quite a distance apart.
"That means this will be a real challenge to get a hard containment line around this fire.
"And given just how dry it is out there that’s providing another challenge to firefighters."