Facing the fire at Deans Gap
The bush fire at Deans Gap, west of Wandandian in NSW's Shoalhaven region, was the biggest concern for firefighters on Tuesday after it went out of control and spread over 1000 hectares. Amanda Hoh reports from the field.
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Warning levels for fires that have been threatening properties in NSW have now been downgraded from emergency warnings to watch and act, as cooler conditions allow firefighters a temporary reprieve from Tuesday's horror conditions.
Three main fronts – near Jugiong, near Cooma, and near Sussex Inlet – remain of great concern, as emergency services fight to contain the fires before hot, windy conditions return.
Volunteer Rural Fire Service members from Bungendore RFS. Photo: Getty Images
The Cobbler Road fire burning near Jugiong, which burnt through one property overnight, is still burning out of control south of Bookham and Browning, but on Wednesday morning was not posing an immediate threat to homes. Smoke could be seen from Yass.
To the south of Cooma, the Yarrabin fire that was threatening homes in the Kybeyan Valley and Numeralla area continues to burn out of control, and is predicted to move north under a southerly breeze.
The Princes Highway remains closed in both directions near Sussex Inlet, but is expected to reopen this morning as the threat from a 1500 hectare fire at Deans Gap near Wandandian eases. Nerrida Road, which runs between Braidwood and Nowra, is also closed.
The Kings Highway is still closed east of Bungendore at Mulloon Road, as crews move in with heavy machinery to help establish containment lines around the Sand Hills fire at Timber Tops.
A number of ACT Rural Fire Service taskforces continue to provide assistance to the Bungendore operation, while ACT Fire and Rescue is also providing support to the Queanbeyan Fire Station to free up NSW resources.
Braidwood Road is now open between Tarago and the Kings Highway.
Overnight, ACT units have also monitored blacked out firegrounds in Namadgi National Park, and will conduct a flight over the remote areas of the park to ensure no signs of fire exist.
Meanwhile, ACT Fire and Rescue assisted NSW crews at a fire at Eagle Hawk Caravan Park, just north of the ACT border on the Federal Highway, shortly after 2am. The fire was brought under control overnight.
A total fire ban remains in place in both the ACT and NSW today, with a forecast fire danger rating of very high in the ACT.
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