Smoke from a fire west of Sussex Inlet. PICTURE: NICK MOIR
Smoke wafting into the Illawarra has blown in from the Deans Gap blaze west of Sussex Inlet, the Rural Fire Service has advised.
The fire is yet to be contained, but firefighters have overnight managed to strengthen containment lines.
There is now no immediate risk to the villages of Sussex Inlet, Swan Haven and Berrara, an RFS spokeswoman said.
The RFS is reassuring residents in the Shoalhaven and Illawarra that smoke in the area has not been generated by further fires, but is the result of the massive firefighting activity at Deans Gap.
While the Princes Highway remains open under a strict 60kph speed restriction, smoke movement during the day could prompt further closures.
Some fire trails are still closed, however no other road closures are in place at this time.
A weak southerly wind-change Saturday blew smoke over a wide area.
The southerly arrived earlier than predicted and helped ease temperatures, however the situation is constantly changing and residents are asked to remain alert.
The focus of Saturday’s firefighting effort was on the western flank of the fire at Tianjara where water bombing attempted to tacke the blaze in rugged terrain.
Local Emergency Operations Commander police Superintendent Joe Cassar has asked Shoalhaven residents not to let their guard down.
“This fire is not out,” Mr Cassar said.
“Please stay abreast of all warnings and updates on this fire via your local media and the RFS website.”
More than 80 firefighters are working to contain the fire burning 12 kilometres west of Sussex Inlet.
The fire has burnt over 8,400 hectares.
Visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au for more information.
