A helicopter dumps water on a property at Wandandian last Tuesday. Picture: NICK MOIR
Firefighters are racing against time to further contain a bushfire still burning in the Shoalhaven before another explosion of scorching weather.
Fires smouldering near Sussex Inlet are now being controlled as the weekend’s cooler weather helped crews trying to contain the Deans Gap blaze.
However, firefighters face a battle against the weather this week as cooler temperatures and rain are expected to give way to a heatwave on Thursday and Friday.
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Despite predictions that the mercury would hit the late 30s yesterday, the temperature only reached 28.5 degrees at Albion Park and 23.5 degrees at Kiama.
The Princes Highway has been closed at Wandandian intermittently today due to trees in the area posing a safety risk. Emergency services are working throughout the day to remove the trees that have the potential to fall on the road.
Motorists are advised to expect heavy traffic conditions.