Hot and windy weather conditions in the Illawarra on Tuesday has prompted the Rural Fire Service to declare a total fire ban in the region.
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A 'severe' rating has been issued for Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama areas.
The air quality in the Illawarra is 'poor' on Tuesday.
The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts a maximum temperature of 29 degrees Celsuis with sunny weather and a possible smoke haze.
Albion Park temperatures are expected to reach 32 degrees Celsius.
The bureau predicts winds northwest to northeasterly of about 15 to 20 km/h tending west to southwesterly in the middle of the day then turning cooler with southerly gusts of 30 to 45 km/h in the afternoon.
Shellharbour City Council has closed Blackbutt Reserve, Bass Point Reserve and Croom Road North entrance all day.
The total fire ban follows on from last Tuesday's catastrophic fire conditions where firefighters extinguished two small blazes in the Illawarra.
No fires may be lit in the open and all fire permits are suspended during a total fire ban.
Gas and electric barbeques may be used provided certain conditions are met.
The RFS advises residents to follow their bushfire survival plan and remain vigilant and they should keep informed by listening to local radio, watching television news broadcasts and monitoring RFS website and Fires Near Me app.