The Rural Fire Service says they have the Currowan fire under control after spot fires jumped across the Shoalhaven River on Friday.
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The fire has been upgraded to Watch and Act with authorities advising residents west/north west of Nowra to monitor changing conditions.
Just before 1pm, RFS Incident Controller Superintendent Mark Williams said the fire was being controlled across the river and was not spreading.
He said the blaze had spotted across the river at Erie Park area on the edge of a paddock leading down to the waters edge.
"There's a number of crews in the area including heavy machinery," he said.
"It's not spreading at all, it's being controlled and they're quite confident they'll backburn around that and get it wrapped up tonight."
Across the rest of the Currowan fireground there is still plenty of active fire.
"Around Bendalong area there's certainly active fire, also around the Tomerong area," Supt Williams said.
Rural Fire Service advice
Current Situation
- Tourists are being asked to leave as a matter of priority.
- This large fire is burning between Nowra in the north, Braidwood in the west, and Batemans Bay in the south.
- Crews are strengthening containment lines in an effort to contain the fire.
- The fire merged with the Tianjara fire in the Morton National Park to the south west of Nowra.
- Building Impact Assessment teams are currently accessing the areas which have been impacted by fire and will continue this work in the coming days.
- The Charleys Forest fire has grown along the fires western flank.
- The Clyde Mountain fire has grown along the fires southern flank.
Advice
Areas North of Ulladulla, south of Nowra and The Bay and Basin area
- Fire has passed through some of these areas. There are still unburnt areas and active fire. There could be further impacts over the coming days.
- Monitor the conditions.
- Activate your bush fire survival plan.
- Know what you will do if the fire threatens.
- Be aware of the danger of falling trees and branches.
Areas south of Nowra and west of the Princes Highway
- Fire has passed through this area. There may still be areas of active fire.
- Be aware of the danger of falling trees and branches.
Burrier, Bamarang, Nowra Hill and Yerriyong
- Fire has passed through this area. There may still be areas of active fire.
- Be aware of the danger of falling trees and branches.
Yatte Yattah, Lake Conjola, Cunjurong, Manyana and Fishermans Paradise
- Fire has passed through this area. There may still be areas of active fire.
- Be aware of the danger of falling trees and branches.
- Monitor the changing conditions.
Budjong, Bamarang, Beaumont, Tapitallee, Cambewarra, Browns Mountain, Leebold Hill, Upper Kangaroo River, Wattamolla and Kangaroo Valley
- The fire has cross the Shoalhaven River.
- Firefighters are working to slow the spread of the fire.
- Monitor the changing conditions.
- Follow your bush fire survival plan, and know what you will do if the fire threatens.
Tallong, Wingello, Penrose, Bundanoon, Exeter, Werai, Manchester Square, Avoca, Fitzroy Falls and Barrengarry
- Monitor conditions.
- Follow your bush fire survival plan.
Wandandian and Jerrawangala
- Fire has passed through this area. There may still be areas of active fire.
- Be aware of the danger of falling trees and branches.
- Monitor the changing conditions.
Sussex Inlet, Swan Haven, Cudmirrah and Berrara
Fire has impacted parts of Sussex Inlet. There are still unburnt areas and active fire. There could be further impacts over the coming days. - Spot fires have been reported burning near Sussex Inlet Road. - Monitor the changing conditions. - Know what you will do if threatened by fire.
Dolphin Point, Burrill Lake, Bungalow Park and Kings Point
- Monitor the changing conditions.
- Follow your bush fire survival plan.
- Know what you will do if the fire threatens.
Kioloa, Bawley Point, Pretty Beach, Pebbly Beach, Depot Beach and Durras North area and Termeil and Flat Rock
- The main fire front has passed through these areas.
- Monitor conditions, as there may be active fire in the area.
- Be aware of the dangers of trees and branches falling.
Road Closures
- Wandean Road and Braidwood Road.
- Kings Highway west of Nelligen, between Reid Street and Narranghi Road.
- Araluen Road, between Araluen and Moruya.
- The Princes Highway is currently closed in multiple places:
- between Batemans Bay and Moruya
- south of Narrabarba and the Victorian Border. Intermittent closures are possible in other locations. Please observe speed restrictions and be mindful of the movement of emergency service vehicles.
- between Batemans Bay and Moruya
- south of Narrabarba and the Victorian Border. Intermittent closures are possible in other locations. Please observe speed restrictions and be mindful of the movement of emergency service vehicles.
- between Batemans Bay and Moruya
- south of Narrabarba and the Victorian Border. Intermittent closures are possible in other locations. Please observe speed restrictions and be mindful of the movement of emergency service vehicles.
- between Batemans Bay and Moruya
- south of Narrabarba and the Victorian Border. Intermittent closures are possible in other locations. Please observe speed restrictions and be mindful of the movement of emergency service vehicles.
- Check www.livetraffic.com for road information.
If you are threatened by fire
- Do not be in the path of the fire.
- Protect yourself from the heat of the fire. Wear protective clothing and footwear. Cover all exposed skin.
- If the fire impacts, seek shelter in a solid structure to protect yourself from the heat of the fire.
- If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000).
- If you are in an area that has already been affected by fire, there may be small areas of active fire burning for some time. Be aware of the dangers of trees and branches falling.
Evacuation Centres
- For a list of evacuation centres visit Disaster Assistance.
- People are encouraged to register online at Register Find Reunite before attending evacuation centres.
Other Information
- Stay up to date on bush fires in your area by checking the NSW RFS website, listening to your local radio station, or by calling the NSW RFS Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737.
- All National Parks in the area are closed today. Before visiting national parks, check for closures at NSW Parks and Wildlife Service.
- People with respiratory conditions who are affected by bush fire smoke should activate their health management plan and seek medical advice if necessary. Take precautions, such as staying indoors and closing windows.
- For information on road closures, check Live Traffic NSW. Roads may be closed without warning.
- Monitor weather conditions and weather warnings at Bureau of Meteorology.
Stuart Thomson
Journalist at the South Coast Register.
Journalist at the South Coast Register.
