South Coast bushfires: Properties still without power

Essential Energy crews successfully restored power to more than 450 customers yesterday, Tuesday 14 January, with approximately 2,800 customers remaining without power across the South Coast and Snowy Valleys.

We expect power to be restored to an additional 200 customers by this afternoon, including 90 customers in Batlow, Adelong and Tumbarumba.

Crews across the South Coast and Riverina areas have been bolstered by more than 140 personnel who have travelled to the area to assist the Essential Energy crews currently on the ground.

Due to the difficult terrain in many areas, helicopters are being utilised to gain a more detailed understanding of the scale of network damage.

This scoping has now extended to the area south of Talbingo to assess the damage to the electricity network there.

With heavy rain predicted for much of the South Coast and Snowy Valleys, driving and working conditions will become increasingly difficult with rainfall potentially causing erosion around burnt trees, which further threatens power outages and makes access for our crews unsafe.

As of today, over 3400 hazardous trees have been identified, 1800 of which have been made safe.

Essential Energy has deployed thermal cameras to help identify and assess the integrity of smouldering power poles and trees.

Essential Energy is contacting customers who are currently without power and expected to have extended power outages to discuss their needs and advise whether any additional support can be provided, where suitable and available.

Essential Energy Bushfire Update - 4.00pm - Tuesday 14 January 2020

Thousands of properties are still without power across the South Coast.

In the Eurobodalla Shire, that included 986 at Batemans Bay, Malua Bay, Surf Beach, Tomakin, Bimbimbie, Broulee, Jeramadra, Mogo, Moruya North, Mossy Point, Nelligen, Currowan, East Lynne, Buckenbowra, Woodlands, Mogendoura, Woodlands and Deua River Valley. 123 were without power at Batehaven and Catalina; 142 at Rosedale; 87 at Bodalla, Cadgee, Eurobodalla and Nerrigundah; 1 at Runnyford and 23 at Lilli Pilli.

Crews have started working in the Tomakin Road area of Mogo and expect repairs to be completed by late Thursday afternoon.

Whilst crews were replacing three poles in the Burri Road area of Malua Bay, more damage was discovered causing delays in restorations efforts.

Essential Energy said crews continued to make progress at repairing the network to restore power for customers.

Early each morning crews and contractors attend a Toolbox Talk at their 'home depot hub', located at either Tumut, Bega, Albury or Moruya, to address safety, provide condition reports, discuss access challenges, RFS access approvals and weather updates, where vegetation clearing is occurring and to collect their provisions such as lunch and water, for the day.

This process is imperative to ensuring the safety of our teams while working in bushfire affected areas.

Once this is complete our teams move out into local areas to continue network repairs, standing poles, re-stringing powerlines and restoring power to customers.

Yesterday in the Snowy Valleys area 26 power poles were replaced with power restored to over 50 customers in Batlow, Yaven Creek, Gilmore Valley and Tumbarumba.

Essential Energy crews progressively restored power to parts of Quaama, replaced power poles in the main street of Cobargo and re-strung 13 spans of powerline in Bemboka.

Today crews continue to work in Rosedale West, Cobargo and Brogo. Crews also aim to replace four power poles in Bemboka which will see 25 customers at the base of Brown Mountain have their power restored.

An additional 27 power poles are being replaced near Batlow which will see power restored to 53 customers in Batlow, Yaven Creek, Gilmore Valley and Tumbarumba.

Essential Energy Bushfire Update - 1.00pm Monday 13 January 2020

A large contingent of Essential Energy crews and contractors from across NSW worked through the weekend to make repairs to the damaged electrical network caused by bushfires across the South East of NSW.

Power is progressively being restored to remaining customers affected however the extent and nature of some damage, coupled with difficulty in safely accessing impacted areas, means some customers will be without power for at least another week, some possibly longer.

While power has been restored to more than 90 percent of those customers affected by bushfire related power outages, crews continue to work to restore power for a further 3300 customers, approximately.

Yesterday, power was restored to 370 customers in areas around Cobargo, Bega and Malua Bay.

Work being carried out today is hoped to restore power to approximately 200 customers in the Bega area, as well as supply power to support water treatment plants in Broyo.

Access for Essential Energy crews to complete electrical network repairs remains challenging with some areas still inaccessible.

In other areas, significant vegetation management scoping is occurring to ensure team safety when working on the network and to remove the likelihood of burnt trees falling on the network once re-energised.

Significant vegetation work is currently taking place throughout the areas around Moruya, Bega and across the Riverina specifically around Tumut, Batlow, Adelong and south to Tumbarumba today, with more than 110 Essential Energy vegetation management team members and contractors on the ground.

Some customers may see power go off and on again as crews work to restore power for all customers.

Updates on power restoration efforts and estimated times for when power will be restored, to customers remaining without supply, will be provided in hard copy to the Emergency Evacuation Centres for distribution.

For further outage information customers can visit the Essential Energy website, www.essentialenergy.com.au or by contacting Essential Energy on 13 20 80

Essential Energy is working to confirm estimated times for when customers will have their power restored, and is communicating with customers directly as this information becomes available.

The following outlines areas where an estimated power restoration time has been provided.

Please note the customer numbers listed below are representative of the areas listed.

Not every location is mentioned as we continue to scope damage to the network.

Essential Energy Bushfire Update - 1.00pm Saturday 11 January 2020

Essential Energy crews worked throughout the weekend to repair damage to the electricity network and progressively restore power to about 3800 customers.

On Friday, Essential Energy crews worked tirelessly to restore power to parts of Malua Bay.

79 crews members worked in Mogo on Saturday to make necessary repairs and restore power to the community and in Jingellic, further damaged was caused to the electricity network, with an additional 20 customers losing power due to active bushfires in the area.

Essential Energy were making repairs and working as quickly as safety allows to try and get power restored.

Essential Energy crews worked in Cobargo, Eden, Bemboka and Nelligen on Saturday.

An additional 64 personnel from across Essential Energy's footprint were arriving in the South Coast and Riverina to provide more on-the-ground support to the 320 Essential Energy personnel who have been working in the region since the bushfire recovery began.

With the migration of the Green Valley, Dunns Road and East Ournie fires in the Snowy Valleys LGA, it is predicted that the electricity network south of Tumbarumba has been impacted by further damage.

Essential Energy was working with the RFS to gain access to the fireground to patrol the network.

For further outage information customers can visit the Essential Energy website, www.essentialenergy.com.au or by contacting Essential Energy on 13 20 80

Essential Energy is working to confirm estimated times for when customers will have their power restored, and is communicating with customers directly as this information becomes available. The following outlines areas where an estimated power restoration time has been provided.

Essential Energy restored power to 760 customers in Surf Beach this evening.

An Essential Energy spokesperson said RMS assisted in the replacement of a power pole located in Talbingo that will enable the Snowy Mountains highway to reopen.

"Our crew leaders have been navigating significant safety issues in numerous locations, resulting from difficult terrain, hazardous trees and active fires. Large machinery including as bulldozers, excavators and elevated working platforms or cherry pickers are being used to assist with restoration efforts," the spokesperson said.

"Getting this large machinery safely into many areas has been and will continue to be, an extremely slow and arduous task."

Weather conditions are predicted to worsen over the coming days in the Riverina and Sapphire Coast.

"Essential Energy crews will continue to undertake restoration work when it is safe to do so and in close consultation with the Rural Fire Service," the spokesperson said.

Essential Energy reminds the community that for safety reasons the electricity network may need to be switched off, or further damage to the network may occur. This means power may not be available for water pumps and customers should have an alternative plan for water if it is required.

Total customers without power: 5,007

Parts of Sunshine Bay, Broulee, Malua Bay, Mogo, Rosedale, Nerrigundah, Tomakin, Catalina, Nelligen: 2,473

Parts of Brogo, Cobargo, Quaama, Veron, Wandella, Boydtown, Eden, Nullica, Bemboka, Morans Crossing, Kiah, Towamba, Yowrie, Woboyn and Wonboyn Lake: 1,221

Parts of Batlow, Yavern Creek, Laurel Hill, Tumbarumba, Green Gills, Mount Kendall, Wondalga, Talbingo, Courabyra, Rosewood, Taradale and Tooma: 1,195

Parts of Adaminaby, Numeralla, Cabamurra, Mount Selwyn, Providence Portal: 118

Telstra is working with emergency services to get fire-affected communities reconnected.

Regional general manager for Telstra in NSW, Chris Taylor, said technicians are working to get services restored as quickly as possible.

"Our communications technicians are among the first to enter the disaster affected areas to assess and, where we can, restore services," Mr Taylor said.

"This restoration work is dynamic and can be incredibly complex depending on the condition we find our sites in once we're able to access them again.

"We know how important it is to get communities reconnected and we want locals to know that we're working as quickly and carefully as we can but the safety of our staff remains our absolute priority."

Excluding the cost of damage to Telstra's infrastructure, Mr Taylor estimated the company's contribution to supporting fire fighters and communities impacted through assistance packages and donations of $10 million.

Extensive work continues to occur by Essential Energy employees and contractors to restore power for customers as quickly as safety allows .

They also remain hopeful of restoring power, where possible due to the extensive damage to the electricity network, to parts of urban Cobargo later this evening.

"Unfortunately, a small number of customers, including customers in the Nelligen area, who had power restored, are experiencing an additional unplanned outage as further bushfire damage to the electricity network has been identified," a spokesperson said.

Crews were able to restore power to around 1,900 customers in the urban area of Batlow and Tumbarumba today.

With the prediction of worsening fires on Friday and Saturday, Essential Energy reminds the community that for safety reasons the electricity network may need to be switched off, or it maybe damaged, and this means that power will not be available for pumps and that customers should have an alterative plan for water if it is required.

"Customers without power in the fire-affected areas are reminded of the extensive damage to the electricity network and that while restoration work will be completed as quickly as safety allows, some customers will unfortunately have to expect to be without power until later this week or even longer," a spokesperson said.

"Once crews are able to safely access firegrounds, estimated times to restore the damage will be provided.

"Essential Energy appreciates this is a difficult time for many customers but they should be assured that significant resources are in place to restore power."

South East

Barragga Bay and Cuttagee: Parts of Barragga and Cuttagee had their power restored yesterday. Customers in fire damaged areas remain without supply.

Bermagui: Restored Tuesday evening - 7 January 2020

Cobargo: Where possible, Cobargo township power will be restored late this afternoon - Wednesday 8 January 2020

Helicopters are continuing to assisting local crews scope damage. Due to extensive damage an estimated time for when customers in the surrounding area will have power restored is not yet available.

Surf Beach and Sunshine Bay: The Surf Beach and Sunshine Bay electricity network has suffered extensive damage. An estimate time for power restoration is yet to be confirmed.

Bega: Significant repairs are taking place around the Bega area. Crews hope to have the power restored to 121 customers this afternoon

Brogo, Coolagolite, Quaama, Verona, Boydtown, Edrom, Wonboyn, Wonboyn Lake, Nethercote, Nullica and Pambula: Helicopters are being utilised to continue assessing damage to the network. Safe access into the area by ground is not yet available. An estimated time for when power will be restored is not yet known.

Burragate, Kiah, Pericoe and Towamba: Essential Energy crews are currently making repairs on the electricity network and power will be restored to 121 customers this evening.

Wandella: The Wandella electricity network has suffered extensive damage. Extended outages are to be expected.

Bemboka: Drone specialist are continuing to complete impact assessments to the damaged electricity network. At this stage, 19 power poles have been identified as needing replacement. Customers can expect power to be restored by late next week.

Buckajo, Morans Crossing, Numbugga and Stony Creek: Essential Energy has restored power to some customers in the area, however 69 customers remain without supply. An estimated time for power restoration for these customers is not yet known.

Riverina

Talbingo: Essential Energy has restored power to 337 customers in Talbingo yesterday.

Tumbarumba: Power has been restored to the township of Tumbarumba where possible. Crews have advised there is extensive damage to rural electricity network in the area.

Batlow: Where possible, power has been restore to urban areas of Batlow today. This does not include rural areas. Please note: Individual resident services may have been impacted due to extreme throughout bushfire period.

Murray

Jingellic Village: 30 power poles are being replaces. Customers can expect power to be restored by Friday evening 10 January 2020.

Essential Energy Bushfire Update - 11.30am Wednesday, January 8

More than 320 personnel have been mobilised from across Essential Energy's footprint to work with local crew to restore power as a result of the damage to the electricity network by bushfires.

At 7.15pm on Tuesday, January 8, electricity was restored to around 1,900 homes and businesses in Bermagui and the surrounding area.

A spokesperson said crews are working to restore power to a further 83 homes and businesses in the Nutleys Creek area today.

"Essential Energy anticipates that power should be restored to much of the urban areas at Batlow and Tumbarumba today," the spokesperson said.

After extensive damage to the electricity network at Cobargo, Essential Energy hoped to be able to restore power to parts of urban Cobargo today.

"As the bushfires remain active, and further damage to the electricity network is identified, in some instances there may be further unplanned power outages for customers," the spokesperson said.

"Further short duration outages may also be experienced by some customers as crews work to restore power for all customers."

The spokesperson said indications showed an excess of 500 poles destroyed by the fires over the past week.

"Safe access to the electricity network remains challenging due to active bushfires, the need to remove hazardous trees and to install access tracks in some locations," the spokesperson said.

"Specialist Essential Energy personnel, along with contractors, are undertaking this work to enable crews to focus on electricity network restoration."

Depot Hubs have been set up in Moruya, Bega, Albury and Tumut to provide support and logistics to crew, including safety leadership, design and planning, on-the-ground fleet management.

Essential Energy reminded customers of the extensive damage and while restoration work takes place, some customers will unfortunately have to expect to be without power until later this week or even longer.

"Where possible, Essential Energy employees are attending community meetings in affected areas," the spokesperson said.

"We can confirm that there are no planned outages occurring in the South Coast and fire impacted areas across the Riverina over the coming week."

Essential Energy thanked customers for their understanding as crews continue to work as quickly as safety allows to restore power for all customers.

Essential Energy Bushfire Update - 6.00pm Tuesday 7 January

Essential Energy is in the process of progressively restoring power to the township of Bermagui.

"As we continue to reach areas of the network that have previously been inaccessible, and assess damage, we will provide estimated times to customers for when power will be restored," a spokesperson said.

"This is a slow process as damage to the network is extensive, and in many cases customers won't have their power restored until into the weekend or longer.

Essential Energy said it had restored power to Talbingo this afternoon.

Essential Energy thanked the community for its messages of support and patience as we work with authorities to safely restore power to affected areas.

Stay at least eight metres away from any fallen or damaged powerlines and report them on 13 20 80.

Following is an update for areas without power:

SOUTH EASTERN

Surf Beach and Sunshine Bay

The Surf Beach and Sunshine Bay electricity network has suffered extensive damage.

Bermagui

Essential Energy will restore power to over 1,800 customers in Bermagui overnight.

Cobargo

Cobargo zone substation currently has power, however there is extensive damage to the electricity network that supplies power from the zone substation to the residents of Cobargo. Helicopters are assisting local crews scope what repairs are needed. Extended outages are to be expected.

Burragate, Kiah, Pericoe and Towamba

Essential Energy crews are currently making repairs on the electricity network and power will be restored to 121 customers by late tomorrow.

Wandella

The Wandella electricity network has suffered extensive damage. Extended outages are to be expected.

Brogo, Coolagolite, Quaama, Verona, Boydtown, Edrom, Wonboyn, Wonboyn Lake, Nethercote, Nullica and Pambula

Helicopters are in the area today assisting local crews with impact assessment on the electricity network.

Barragga Bay and Cuttagee

Parts of Barragga and Cuttagee have had power restored today, however there are some customers in fire damaged areas without supply.

Buckajo, Morans Crossing, Numbugga and Stony Creek

Essential Energy has restored power to some customers in the area, however 69 customers remain

RIVERINA

Talbingo

Essential Energy has restored power to 337 customers in Talbingo today.

Tumbarumba

Conditions permitting and no further fault encounters are discovered overnight, power will be restored to urban areas by late tomorrow afternoon.

Batlow

Conditions permitting and no further fault encounters are discovered overnight, power will be restored to urban areas by late tomorrow afternoon. It's worth noting that individual resident services may have been impact due to extreme throughout bushfire period.

MURRAY

Jingellic Village

30 fire damaged power poles need to be replaced. Customers can expect power to be restored by Friday.

Essential Energy Bushfire Update - 12.00pm Tuesday 7 January

Nearly 3300 properties near Batemans Bay and nearly 4000 south of Bermagui remain without power on Tuesday, January 7, but can expect to receive an estimated time of restoration over the coming days.

The homes without power in the Eurobodalla Shire were parts of Batemans Bay, parts of Catalina, Durras, North Durras, Surf Beach, Malua Bay, Mogo, parts of Broulee, Mogendoura, Nerrigundah, and Eurobodalla.

Further south, towns with power outages included Bembooka, Brogo, Numbugga, Cobargo, Bermagui, Kiah, South of Eden, Edrom, Nethercote, Boydtown, Wonboyn.

More than 320 Essential Energy personnel have been deployed to the Riverina and South Coast of NSW to assist Essential Energy's bushfire response, Essential Energy says.

"Over the coming days, customers can expect to receive estimated times of power restoration as we determine the progress of 54 separate incidents shared across 10,800 customers in fire affected areas," a spokesperson said.

"Customers are reminded of the extensive damage to the electricity network. Restoration work will be completed as quickly as safety allows, however customers should expect to be without power until later this week or even longer.

"Essential Energy crews continue to work in Bermagui to make necessary repairs, which should see parts of Bermagui's power restored in the coming days (conditions permitting).

"Crews also continue their restoration efforts in Tumbarumba and Batlow. The RFS has granted access into damaged areas in Talbingo, where crews have scoped works and are ready to make repairs to the network supplying power to the Talbingo township and Gilmore Velley.

"An additional 25 crews members been also been deployed to assist local teams to replace 50 power poles in the Jingellic area. Essential Energy crews are working towards an estimated restoration time of Friday this week (conditions permitting)."

Total customers without power: 10,800

Essential Energy Bushfire Update - 6.00pm Monday 6 January

More than 11,000 Essential Energy customers had their power restored today as crews were able to reach areas that hadn't been accessible until this morning.

"Power was successfully restored to 9000 customers in Batemans Bay and Moruya along with 2000 customers in Mossy Point and parts of Broulee and Tomakin," Essential Energy said.

"Repairs and restoration work will continue where we can gain safe access, however some customers will not have their power back on until later this week into next. Essential Energy is hoping to provide estimated times for when power will be restored to all customers in the coming two days.

"Extra crews are being brought into the area to assist local teams including more than 80 vegetation field staff and contractors assess the vegetation damage and remove hazardous trees that pose danger to the electricity network, our field staff and the community.

"On top of this Essential Energy's Drone Specialists and Asset Inspectors are also moving into the area to patrol lines alongside local teams."

Area breakdowns of power outages: (Please note numbers are rounded off)

Total customers without power: 12,100

Parts of Batemans Bay, parts of Catalina, Durras, North Durras, Surf Beach, Malua Bay, Mogo, parts of Broulee, Mogendoura, Nerrigundah, and Eurobodalla: 4,600

Bembooka, Brogo, Numbugga, Cobargo, Bermagui, Kiah, South of Eden, Edrom, Nethercote, Boydtown, Wonboyn: 3,900

Tumbarumba, Talbingo, Batlow, Tumut: 3,500

Jingellic: 55

Essential Energy Bushfire Update - 11.30am, Monday, January 6.

Essential Energy's restoration efforts continue this morning, as 23,800 customers remain without power.

An Essential Energy spokesperson said difficult conditions have been challenging.

"Difficult conditions including thick smoke, remote locations and fallen and smouldering trees, have made working conditions challenging for crews," the spokesperson said.

"Despite this, Essential Energy crews have started replacing power poles, repairing electricity infrastructure and gaining access to areas that have been inaccessible until today.

Essential Energy crews have been able to access Mossy Point, Broulee and Tomakin areas today, with repairs having commenced this morning.

"Given the extensive damage constantly being discovered restoration times are not yet available," the spokesperson said.

"We are working closely with Endeavour Energy to restore power to the Batemans Bay area."

Crews are also at the Bermagui zone substation making repairs so power can be restored to the town.

"Whilst crews are working as quickly as safety allows this work may continue into tomorrow, a firm restoration time is not yet available," the spokesperson said.

In the Riverina area, Essential Energy's priority for today is to scope fire damage to the electricity network supplying Tumbarumba and Batlow urban areas.

"Once scoping is completed, crews will begin make repairs to the high voltage line into the area," the spokesperson said.

"At this stage, Essential Energy is aware of three power poles needing replacing. Conditions and access permitting, we hope to have the power restored by this week."

Area breakdowns of power outages: (Please note numbers are rounded off)

Total customers without power: 23,800

Essential Energy Bushfire Update - 4:00pm Sunday 5 January

Helicopter patrols over the electricity network helped Essential Energy restore power to 11,000 customers today.

However 24,500 customers remain without power on the South Coast and Riverina, including 15,800 properties in Batemans Bay and 4100 in Bega.

Essential Energy said an aerial patrol took place along the high voltage powerline between Batemans Bay and Moruya today, while working with the RFS, and in collaboration with Endeavour Energy.

"Crews were able to identify and make repairs, with power restored to customers primarily in the Moruya and Narooma area at 3.20pm today," an Essential Energy spokesperson said.

"However, 24,500 customers remain without power across the South Coast and Riverina, with safe access to many areas not available by either ground or air.

"Essential Energy reminds customers that until access is available, and crews can safely assess the damage to the network, we will not be able to provide firm information on when power will be restored.

"Customers currently without power may not have their power restored until late this week or even longer, with preliminary assessments showing extensive damage to the network where fires have been.

"Essential Energy is committed to helping the community at this time and has assisted providing alternative power generation for critical sites such as evacuation centres, telecommunication services, water and sewerage services, nursing homes and supermarkets; as well as assisting RFS with road clearances.

"Essential Energy thanks the community for its understanding and patience and we remind the public to stay at least eight metres away from any fallen or damaged powerlines and report them on 13 20 80."

Area breakdowns of power outages: (Please note numbers are rounded off)

Total customers without power: 24,500

Essential Energy Bushfire Update - 10.30am Sunday 5 January

Many properties in the South Coast will be without power into late this week after some electricity network areas were completely destroyed by fire.

Essential Energy said 35,600 South-East-NSW customers were without power, including 27,300 in Batemans Bay and 4000 in Bega areas, following the fires that moved across the area overnight.

"The electricity network has sustained extensive damage with some areas being completely destroyed and needing rebuilding. In many cases customers will be without power into late this week, some possibly longer," an Essential Energy spokesperson said.

"Essential Energy is working closely with the RFS to gain safe access to patrol the network. As soon as we're able to do this, estimated times for when power will be restored will be provided. However, access may not be available until tomorrow or Tuesday in some areas.

"The priority is safe and steady power restoration. It's important we take the appropriate time to fully assess conditions, particularly hazard trees, and undertake any necessary work safely to minimise the risk of our people or members or the public being injured.

"Priority will be given to critical services in bushfire-affected areas including hospitals, water pumping stations, nursing homes and petrol stations.

"We continue to work collaboratively with the RFS and other authorities to provide alternative generation to emergency centres and critical infrastructure assisting the community during this emergency. Essential Energy is also working with the RFS to clear damaged network assets from majors roads to ensure they reopen for the public.

"Essential Energy thanks the community for its understanding and patience and we remind the public to stay at least eight metres away from any fallen or damaged powerlines and report them on 13 20 80."

Area breakdowns of power outages: (Please note numbers are rounded off)

Total customers without power: 35,600

An aerial patrol via helicopter is currently being completed on the transmission lines supplying 20,000 customers in this area. If no further damage is discovered these customer can expect their power to be restored today.

Essential Energy bushfire update - Saturday, 4 January

8pm: Essential Energy advises that unfortunately 32,711 customers in the Batemans Bay and Moruya region have lost power again at around 7pm this evening, and is advising customers that power will not be restored overnight as safe access is not available into the damaged area. An estimated time for when power will be restored to these customers will be available once we can gain safe access to the network . We thank the community for their understanding in this unpredictable and difficult time.

Essential Energy bushfire update - Saturday, 4 January.

5.52pm: Power has been restored to 20,000 properties in Bay, Moruya.

"Essential Energy crews have been able to restore power progressively to more than 20,000 customers.30,627 customers in the Batemans Bay and Moruya region lost power at 3pm this afternoon due to bushfires affecting infrastructure. Essential Energey said 9,500 customers remain without power," the service says.

"An estimated time for when power will be restored to these customers will not be available until we can gain safe access to the network," a spokesperson said.

"We are continuing to work closely with the RFS however don't expect access to be available until Monday."

3.22pm: Essential Energy says 30,627 customers in the Batemans Bay and Moruya region have just lost power due to bushfire affecting infrastructure.

"We will work in close consultation with the Rural Fire Service to ensure our crews can safely access the area, then we will be able to give an estimated time to restore the power," a spokeswoman said.

"Further outages may occur as the fires continue through the south-east area."

The Clyde Mountain Fire and Badja Forest Fire are converging under firstly strong northerly winds, with a southerly change due late this afternoon.

More details as they come to hand.