Firefighters battle Tianjara blaze, now burning at emergency level, Currowan downgraded
The Currowan fire has been downgraded while the Tianjara fire is burning at emergency level, as firefighters battle against extreme conditions.
Illawarra Star
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The Tianjara blazes on the NSW South Coast is now burning out of control at the emergency warning level, as firefighters battle against extreme heat and gusty winds.
The Tianjara fire, which is being treated as suspicious, broke out off Braidwood Road in bushland between the Tianjara Falls and the Yerriyong area just before 7am and has already burnt out 140 hectares.
The fire was raised to Emergency level around 11.30am, as it moves quickly in an easterly direction toward the back of Jerrawangala and Wandandian.
Residents in the towns have been told it’s too late to leave, and are being advised to take shelter as the fire approaches.
People in Sussex Inlet, Swan Haven, Cudmirah and Berrara have been told to stay put, as if they attempt to leave along Sussex Inlet Road they may travel directly into the path of the fire.
Firefighters hold concerns over the location of the fire, which is burning in the vicinity of the former Tianjara firing range, which was used for artillery training from World War II until the 1980s, and has an unknown amount of unexploded ordnance.
Wandean Road and Braidwood Road (between Turpentine Road and Nerriga) are currently closed.
The Currowan Fire was also lifted to the emergency warning level around 12.30pm but downgraded to Watch and Act around 3pm. The RFS has warned residents in Dolphin Point, Burrill Lake Bungalow Park it was too late to leave, advising them to seek shelter as the fire approaches.
The fire has been burning since the end of November, devouring almost 100,000 hectares of bushland. So far, 16 homes have been destroyed, as well 65 sheds and garages.
Temperatures across Wollongong and Albion Park are expected to hit 40 degrees on Thursday while most of inland NSW will see temperatures in the mid 40s.
On the South Coast, Nowra is predicted to hit 40 degrees with winds reaching 45km/h.
On Thursday morning, Premier Gladys Berejiklian declared a state of emergency in the space of two months, as firefighters brace for deteriorating conditions.
A statewide total fire ban is in place until Saturday with air quality across the Illawarra at hazardous levels.
The Currowan Fire may also spread today, with the RFS warning residents in the towns of Burrill Lake and Kings Point to be vigilant of ember attacks.
The Rural Fire Service is warning residents on both the northern and southern side of the Currowan fire to be ready to implement their bushfire plan.
The Kings Highway remains closed between Narangi Road and Reid Street for safety reasons.