6:45pm:
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Currowan fire has been downgraded to advice level, the fire is easing in the Wandandian and Jerrawangala area.
The Princes Highway is still closed between Sussex Inlet Rd and Martins Ridge Rd and will remain closed until tomorrow morning, at the earliest.
3:30pm:
Firefighters are still working on back burning operations along the highway. The RFS said getting the highway open is a priority and they are hoping to have it open again later this afternoon.
The Comberton fire is still putting up a bit of smoke in the Worrigee area and more resources are being sent there to assist.
1:10pm:
RFS spokesperson Brad Collins said firefighters are preparing for worsening conditions, expected to come through on the weekend.
"The conditions for the rest of the afternoon aren't actually looking too bad but obviously got worsening conditions coming through on Sunday," he said.
"So essentially the rest of today and tomorrow is about to trying consolidate a bit of stuff we've already done and get a fair bit of stuff tied up ahead of the worsening weather that's coming."
He said due to increasing fire activity, firefighters need to do some back burning along the highway.
"We've had to close the highway because fire activity is increasing and we're actually going to have to do some back burning off the highway so we've closed the highway between Sussex Inlet road and Bendalong road."
12.20pm: The Currowan fire has been upgraded again to watch and act as fire activity has increased along the north eastern edge.
The RFS said, in particular, those in the Wandandian and Jerrawangala areas need to be aware of embers blowing ahead of the firefront.
The Princes Highway has also been closed between Sussex Inlet and Bendalong Road due to back burning operations.
Live Traffic NSW said the Hume Highway, Monaro Highway or Snowy Mountains Highway could be used as alternative routes.
You will need to allow a significant amount of time to travel.
10.30am: Firefighters continue to strengthen containment lines on the southern and northern points of the South Coast fire on Boxing Day.
Weather conditions were "benign" on the public holiday, but there was a smoke haze across the coast as the Currowan fire continued to burn from Batemans Bay in the south to south of Nowra.
SES volunteers were door knocking south of the Shoalhaven River to warn residents.
Temperatures are forecast to rise over the next few days.
NSW Rural Fire Service spokesman Phil Paterson said on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, crews worked to contain fire south of the Kings Highway, near Monga.
He said a norwester wind could worsen conditions, and crews were focusing on containment.
Further north, firefighters were working to contain fire near Twelve Mile Peg and Pointers Gap Roads.
On Christmas Day, aircraft dropped incendiaries on ridge tops in the area, Mr Paterson said.
He said backburning was proceeding well.
After securing the larger area west of the Princes Highway, crews would proceed towards Wandean Road.
He said fire burned near Deans Gap and Main Road 92 and it was working its way north in a "difficult" area.
The containment line in the north was the Shoalhaven River.
If the fire was not contained, there could be risk to HMAS Albatross, Bamarang, Cambewarra and north of Nowra.
Mr Paterson said weather would become hotter and drier over the next few days, with temperatures in high 30s and low 40s.
Firefighters would take advantage of "comparatively benign" weather conditions on Boxing Day.
Mr Paterson thanked community members for their cooperation.
On Boxing Day, SES members would door knock in areas south of the Shoalhaven River including Burrier, Longreach and Stringybark Road.
Residents would be told there was a "real chance of being impacted by fire" if there was no rain or containment was broken - "which has been happening".
They would also reinforce message reviewing bushfire survival plans, leaving early, preparing properties.
Keep an eye on updates through RFS Fires Near Me and Live Traffic.
READ MORE