Authorities hold grave concerns areas between Ulladulla and Nowra will be hit hard by fire on Saturday, when weather conditions are set to deteriorate.
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NSW Rural Fire Service incident controller Superintendent Mark Williams said residents need to prepare now, ahead of potential phone, internet and power outages.
"Have a survival plan in place," he said.
"If your intent is to leave, leave early.
"Look on Fires Near Me, find your neighbourhood safer place. It is especially important to do this planning now before internet and phones go out.
"Evacuation centres and beaches are a place of last resort, not a bush fire survival plan. They are for a last case scenario. If you are planning on that, it would be better to get out entirely well in advance [of Saturday]."
Many neighbourhood safer places are open and could be vulnerable to ember attack. The RFS cannot guarantee they will have running water or toilet facilities in the case of fire impact.
He said built up areas, such as town centres, provided a greater level of protection, but there was no guarantee of safety.
"Spot fires in gutters can occur anywhere," he said.
"There are no guarantees, but chances of survival are greater in a built up area than in areas near bushland."
Supt Williams had strong words for any tourists remaining in the area.
"Tourists from Nowra south - we don't want them here," he said.
"It's as simple as that. They are a risk to themselves and the community. Get out now."
He confirmed the fire had not yet crossed the Shoalhaven River, and said the RFS would communicate directly if that happens.
Neighbourhood safer places in Shoalhaven:
Sussex Inlet Bowling Club St Georges Avenue, Sussex Inlet
Sussex Inlet RSL Club 200 Jacobs Drive, Sussex Inlet
Tomerong Public School 355 Hawken Road, Tomerong
Huskisson Public School Sydney Street, Huskisson
Berrara Cove Reserve Corner of Beachway Avenue and Silver Sands Drive, Berrara
Erowal Bay Public Hall Grounds 19 King George Street, Erowal Bay
Frances Ryan Reserve Paradise Beach Road, Sanctuary Point
Basin View Boat Ramp Basin View Parade, Basin View
Tom Smith Oval - HMAS Albatross Intersection of Albatross Road and BTU Road, Nowra Hill
Australian National University Research Site Murramerang Road, Kioloa
Queanbeyan Avenue Reserve Queanbeyan Avenue, Burrill Lake
Bawley Point Reserve Tingira Drive, Bawley Point
Mollymook Beachfront Reserve Corner of Ocean Street and Golf Avenue, Mollymook
Lake Conjola Community Centre 7025 Lake Conjola Entrance Road, Lake Conjola
Greenwell Point Wharf Carpark Greenwell Point Road, Greenwell Point
Artie Smith Oval Cambewarra Road, Bomaderry
Berry Showgrounds Corner of Gillam Street and Alexandra Street, Berry
Kangaroo Valley Showground Moss Vale Road, Kangaroo Valley
Ray Abood Village Green The Concourse, Cambewarra Village
Greys Beach Reserve (Boat Ramp Car Park) Fairway Drive, North Nowra
Dolphin Point Reserve Off Seaside Parade, Dolphin Point
Nowra Showground Corner of Junction Street and West Street, Nowra
Milton Showgrounds Croobyar Road, Milton
Ulladulla Foreshore Reserve Wason Street, Ulladulla
Lakeside Cabins and Holiday Village Oval Goonawarra Drive, Cudmirrah
Parkes Crescent Park Parkes Crescent Park, Callala Beach
Manyana Community Hall Cnr The Barbette & The Palisade, Manyana
St Georges Basin Country Club 11 Paradise Beach Road, Sanctuary Point
