A total fire ban has been declared for the Illawarra and Shoalhaven on Friday due to forecast warm, dry and windy conditions.
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The ban commences at midnight tonight and covers Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven due to severe fire conditions.
Issued by the NSW Rural Fire Service, the fire ban also includes the Greater Sydney Region, Far North Coast, North Coast and Greater Hunter.
A top of 31 degrees is predicted in the Illawarra on Friday, with light winds turning westerly in the morning before becoming a southerly in the late evening, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Some relief could be in sight at the weekend, with a medium chance of showers predicted for both days.
No fires may be lit in the open and all fire permits are suspended during a total fire ban.
General purpose hot works such as welding, grinding or gas cutting or any activity that produces a spark or flame are not to be done in the open.
Gas and electric barbeques may be used provided certain conditions are met.
The NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) provides the following advice.
Under Severe and Very High fire conditions:
- Well prepared homes that are actively defended can provide safety during a fire
- Follow your Bush Fire Survival Plan and remain vigilant
- Keep informed by listening to local radio, watching television news broadcasts and monitoring www.rfs.nsw.gov.au.
- Please note: NSW RFS may request that harvesting operations and other machinery use stop in grassland, paddocks and on roadsides.
Total Fire Ban rules and a map of current Total Fire Ban areas are at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au.
