Firefighters have been called to Puckeys Reserve for the second time in as many days, after a scrub fire broke out on Thursday evening.
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Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews responded to the fire, in vegetation near the Fairy Meadow Surf Life Saving Club, about 6.15pm and battled gusty winds of up to 60km/h as they worked to bring it under control.
Thursday’s flames burned in the same area as a fire on Wednesday afternoon, during which a firefighter suffered burns to his neck.
FRNSW Illawarra duty commander Inspector Jay Bland said the cause of the latest fire was unknown at this stage, but a re-ignition of Wednesday’s fire hadn’t been ruled out.
“We’ve got three crews in there working at the moment,” Inspector Bland said about 7.40pm.
“At this stage it’s not threatening any properties.”
The location of the fire meant access was difficult, Inspector Bland said. One crew is on standby near the surf club at the northern end of the reserve.
“The position’s in hand, it’s just difficult to access [the fire],” he said.
A westerly wind gust of 61 km/h was recorded at the Bellambi weather station at 7.30pm.
Thursday’s fire came a day after temperatures across Wollongong climbed to near-record September highs of 32.6 degrees at Bellambi and 33 degrees in Albion Park.
Meanwhile, firefighters are yet to contain a bushfire burning at Jervis Bay on Thursday night.
The fire has burnt about 626 hectares in the area of Wreck Bay Road and around the airstrip, south of the Jervis Bay Village.
The fire has now been downgraded to ‘advice’ level after being listed at ‘emergency warning’ level earlier on Thursday.
“Conditions have eased and there is no immediate threat to homes in the area,” the NSW Rural Fire Service said in its latest update at 8pm.
“Crews will be backburning around the fire where conditions allow, in an effort to contain the fire. You may see an increase in fire and smoke while backburning is carried out.”
Andrew Pearson
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
