THE NSW Rural Fire Service has taken the extraordinary step of urging hundreds of residents in several south coast towns to leave their homes by 8am today.
In a warning issued last night, the RFS advised people living or holidaying in Wandandian, Sussex Inlet, Sussex Inlet Road, Swanhaven, Cudmirrah and Berrara to move to the centre of Nowra or Ulladulla due to the deadly bushfire threat facing the NSW south coast.
A small bushfire was last night burning about 12 kilometres west of Wandandian and there are concerns the fire may flare later today.
"Should the fire escape containment lines, a rapid spread towards the east would occur," the NSW RFS warned. "Based on a model prediction, the rate of spread may be upwards of three kilometres per hour."
The region was yesterday given a rare ‘Catastrophic’ Fire Danger Rating, meaning there is a serious risk hundreds of homes and lives could be lost. It is the highest possible risk rating.