The Insurance Council of Australia yesterday declared the fire burning near Coonabarabran a catastrophe.

The fire, which has been burning since Sunday, is reportedly breaking containment lines and has closed Newell Highway.

As firefighters continue to battle old blazes, new threats are popping up.  New fire weather warnings are in place.  According to a statement released by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology a Fire Weather Warning is in effect through today for Greater Hunter, Greater Sydney Region, Illawarra/Shoalhaven, Far South Coast, Monaro Alpine, Southern Ranges, Central Ranges, Lower Central West Plains, Southern Slopes, Eastern Riverina, Southern Riverina and Northern Riverina fire areas.

The statement says the greatest threat exists in the Monaro Alpine area when the danger is listed as “Extreme”.

Meanwhile, NewstalkZB reports that the Kiwi firefighters helping battle blazes in Tasmania say there’s plenty of knowledge they can bring back home.

The team of 12 left for Australia last week during the massive heat wave which saw fires rage across Tasmania, New South Wales and Victoria.

Department of Conservation worker Clea Gardiner is one of those in Tasmania.

She says it’s been a fantastic experience.

“Yes the bush is very different and theirs is a lot dryer and a lot more dangerous, but definitely we’ll be bringing skills home.”

Clea Gardiner expects the team will head home in about a week’s time.

By Howard Joseph, WeatherWatch.co.nz