Coolagolite Fire: RFS confirms four homes lost in south coast blaze

Four homes have been destroyed in the Coolagolite bushfire on the state’s south coast, which has burnt more than 6000ha in recent days. The RFS is working to assess the extent of the destruction.

Bushland has been left devastated in Barraga Bay, south of Bermagui. Picture: Tom McGann.

A horror bushfire which destroyed multiple homes and burnt thousands of hectares on the south coast has seen its threat level downgraded.

The Coolagolite fire – which has burnt 6745ha in the Bermagui, Cobargo, Cuttagee and Barraga Bay areas – has been downgraded to ‘advice’ threat level after days of fighting the blaze.

Early Rural Fire Service investigations has confirmed at least four houses and one shed have been destroyed.

An RFS spokesman said fire crews were still fighting the blaze which is no longer listed as out of control.

“The fire is being controlled through the efforts of fire crews on the scene and better weather,” he said.

Murra River Rd was as far as reporter Tom McGann was allowed to go due to danger of fire and falling branches. Picture: Tom McGann.

Tathra Bermagui Rd, coming into Barraga Bay, remains closed due to the danger of falling branches from burnt trees.

The RFS has confirmed fire crews were working to make the roadways safe after a 44-year-old man was hospitalised on Wednesday after a branch fell on him.

The horror bushfire has been downgraded to 'advice' as efforts from fire crews continue. Picture: Fires Near Me.

“It’s still too dangerous to travel into Barraga Bay, but fire crews are working to remove these falling branches so we can reopen the road as soon as possible,” the RFS spokesman said.

The fire began on October 3 in hot conditions of up to 36 degrees and strong winds rapidly intensified the blaze, which spread east toward Barraga Bay and Cuttagee.

“Cuttagee and Barraga Bay have been the worst affected areas,” the RFS spokesman said.

“The remoteness of the properties, as well as thick bush which covers most of the fire ground’s 6000ha has hampered the Rural Fire Service’s building impact assessment teams which are working to find out how many homes have been damaged by the blaze.”

Road closed into Barraga Bay on Wednesday October 4 2023. Picture: Tom McGann

Disaster assistance is available for those who have been affected by the fire.

The assistance is available to people in Bega Valley area as part of the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and includes:

• Help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged.
  
• Support for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets.
  
• Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers, and non-profit organisations.
  
• Freight subsidies for primary producers.