Eurobodalla Shire Mayor Liz Innes has felt gusty winds come to her Runnyford home, carrying risk of catastrophic fire around her, on Saturday, January 4.
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She was sitting on her verandah at about 12.30pm watching the wind as she spoke with the Bay Post/Moruya Examiner, when a strong south-westerly wind had arrived on her property.
"It's just hit," she said of the wind, with a shaky voice.
She gave her "love" to the Eurobodalla Shire community and said everyone, including residents, emergency services and herself, were exhausted.
On New Year's Eve, the fire came through her property at 3am, she said.
The wind was still, before it changed abruptly.
"The second it came over the ridge, it was gale force," she said.
"We were one of the first places hit (on New Year's Eve)."
She said she had warned people for the past six months it would be a hot summer with the drought and dry weather.
"Being remote, there's little chance a fire truck was going to help us, so we made the decision weeks ago we would stay and defend," she said.
"I have not stopped.
"The last few days, I've just passed out with exhaustion. That's most people."
She gave her love to the community and apologised if she had not returned calls.
"I've been working my guts out," she said.
More details as they come to hand.