Illawarra Rural Fire Service (RFS) volunteers have been part of around-the-clock efforts to slow the spread of a bushfire in the Royal National Park north of Helensburgh.
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Firefighters, assisted by water-bombing helicopters and the large air tanker, have worked to bring the fire under control since it began on Monday afternoon.
The fire – off McKell Avenue, about 1.5km east of Waterfall – was contained on Wednesday afternoon, having burnt about 190 hectares.
The RFS said crews worked throughout Tuesday night to establish containment lines, with backburning carried out along McKell Avenue and the Uloola walking track in a bid to prevent the fire spreading towards Waterfall.
RFS volunteers from a number of Illawarra brigades – including Helensburgh, Otford, Darkes Forest, Stanwell Park, Austinmer, Farmborough Heights and Oak Flats – were involved in the fire fight.
McKell Avenue remains closed between east of the Waterfall railway station and Lady Wakehurst Drive.
The road is expected to be shut until at least Friday afternoon.
Motorists have been advised to exercise caution in the area as smoke may reduce visibility on nearby roads, including the Princes Highway.
Some trails in the Royal National Park are also closed.
A post on the Helensburgh RFS Facebook page said the fire was “not yet out and smoke may still be visible for a number of days as it burns itself out”.