Given our current circumstances, the predictions make dire reading.
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The state is currently in the grip of drought and the land is bone dry.
The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting more dry conditions over the next three months.
Owen Price,a senior researcher at the University of Wollongong's Centre for Environmental Risk Management of Bushfires, made a frank assessment of the situation this week.
“If we don't get any good rain, then the fire season is essentially starting now,” he told the Illawarra Mercury.
“And it is only going to get worse in the next couple of months. We are in big trouble if we don’t get any rain.”
That is a grim outlook by any standards.
This community has been touched by the fires that have raged on the South Coast this week.
On Friday, those fires took a tragic turn as a helicopter pilot, who was working as part of fire bombing operations, was killed in a crash at Woodburn.
It made an already tough week so much tougher for the residents of the Shoalhaven.
Readers reacted to the news, expressing their sadness and support.
“Dangerous work and a brave pilot. Sincere sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased pilot. Tailwinds and fair skies my friend!,” one reader commented on social media.
“Oh my goodness. That’s heart breaking. Sorry to hear. My heart goes out to his friends family and collegues,” another added.
There is active fires right along the NSW Coast.
On Friday morning there was 75 fires burning across NSW and over 30 of those were raging out of control.
Some of the worst of those fires are burning on then South Coast.
With high winds and warm temperatures again expected across the weekend we can only cross our fingers and hope for the best.
Please stay safe this weekend.
Be aware of conditions in your area and if in doubt, leave early.