The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) has urged Illawarra property owners to carefully consider Wednesday’s forecast dry, warm and windy conditions before burning off.
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The warning comes as authorities brace for winds of up to 65km/h, potentially gusting as high as 90km/h, unseasonably-warm temperatures and low humidity across the region.
Wollongong is forecast to reach a maximum of 23 degrees on Wednesday – about five degrees above average for this time of the year.
The RFS has declared a very-high fire danger across the Illawarra/Shoalhaven, Greater Sydney and Far South Coast districts.
The official fire season has not yet begun. However, it will come into effect on September 1 – one month earlier than usual, due to the current dry conditions.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for the Illawarra and parts of the South Coast on Wednesday.
The bureaus says west to northwesterly winds are expected to strengthen overnight on Tuesday as a cold front approaches from the west.
The front is forecast to cross southeastern NSW on Wednesday afternoon.
Damaging winds averaging 50 to 65km/h, with gusts to 90km/h, are possible in areas below 1900 metres during Wednesday, peaking in the early afternoon.
Winds are expected to ease later on Wednesday following the passage of the front.
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.
