Firefighters are gearing up for the return of hot and dry conditions forecast to elevate bushfire risk across the Illawarra and much of NSW.
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The Illawarra has a very high fire danger with temperatures to rise on Friday and remain in the mid to high-30s for much of the weekend.
Wollongong is expected to hit 29 degrees on Friday, 33 degrees on Saturday and 31 degrees on Sunday with a possible storm in the afternoon.
Albion Park is expected to reach a maximum temperature of 33 degrees on Friday, 38 degrees on Saturday and 34 degrees on Sunday while Nowra is forecast to hit 36 degrees on Friday, 42 degrees on Saturday and 33 degrees on Sunday.
The Bureau of Meteorology says a heatwave is forecast to push temperatures into the mid-40s for parts of inland NSW in coming days.
Strong sea breezes will keep coastal areas a few degrees cooler, however they will bring choppy conditions on the water, surf lifesavers said.
Surf Life Saving NSW Director of Lifesaving, Joel Wiseman, is urging the public to be cautious if they are visiting the coast this weekend.
"We're expecting the extreme heatwave conditions to drive a large number of people to the coast this Saturday and Sunday. It's very important for anyone visiting the coast to consider the risks associated with coastal activities before putting themselves, their family and our lifesavers and lifeguards at risk," Mr Wiseman said.
"Kite-surfers, sailors and rockfishes should be particularly vigilant given the forecast for high winds and choppy conditions," he said.
Rural Fire Service deputy commissioner Rob Rogers said firefighters remained concerned about blazes on the South Coast and the NSW-Victoria border.
Fires charring the ACT this week are also likely to jump the border to NSW.
"These fires have moved so quickly and if we go back to New Year's Eve, at 3.30am, we were seeing properties being destroyed and people calling for help, they were trapped by fire," Mr Rogers told the Nine Network on Friday.
"In this drought, these fires are just moving so quickly because the landscape is so dry and these winds are pushing them along at unbelievable speed."
On Wednesday, firefighters announced the Green Wattle Creek blaze in the Wollondilly and Wingecaribee shires had been contained. The Morton fire in in the Wingecarribee area and the Currowan fire are also under control.
- with Steven Trask, AAP