A blaze at Wandandian, south of Nowra, engulfs the Princes Highway on Tuesday. Picture: NSW RFS
The catastrophic fire danger facing the South Coast, and the ensuing blaze that raged out of control at Wandandian, south of Nowra, dominated this week's headlines.
Here's what everyone was reading from January 6 to January 12.
1) Get out now, commissioner urges most at risk
People throughout the Illawarra and Shoalhaven were to consider leaving high-risk bushfire areas tonight, ahead of Tuesday's catastrophic fire danger - Angela Thompson
2) Bendalong, Sussex Inlet under threat
The Mercury posted regular updates of the Wandandian bushfire as it rage out of control on Tuesday and Wednesday - Glen Humphries
3) Pedestrian killed in East Corrimal
An elderly woman tragically died during a pedestrian accident at East Corrimal on Tuesday
4) Illawarra on alert over 'catastrophic' fire risk
The Illawarra and Shoalhaven were on edge on Tuesday after the NSW Rural Fire Service issued a 'catastrophic' fire risk for the area - Kate McIlwain
5) Catastrophic fire risk: what it means
Residents throughout the region were desperate to know what 'catastrophic' meant when it came to fire danger
6) Highway now open but fire still out of control
Firefighters battled to contain the Wandandian blaze, which threatened the towns of Sussex Inlet and Wandandian and forced hundreds of residents to flee to evacuation centres
7) Fairy Meadow man charged after police pursuit
A Fairy Meadow man was charged with Skye's Law after allegedly leading police on a pursuit through Towradgi
8) Shark alert at Port Kembla Beach
A hammerhead shark was spotted off in the waters off Port Kembla Beach, temporarily driving swimmers from the surf
9) Warrawong woman escapes naked intruder
A man pleaded guilty in court this week after breaking into a woman's apartment, while naked, in Warrawong last October and threatening to have sex with her - Emma Spillett
10) Dapto man rumbles travel scratchie scam
A Dapto man has warned others not to be fooled by a 'scratch and win' competition for a Malaysian travel company, which he has slammed as a 'scam' - Michelle Webster