AS the fire threat has picked up across the region, not too many people in the Shoalhaven are too panicked - or at least they're playing it cautious for us.

Jenny O'Connell, a receptionist at Bunnings Warehouse in South Nowra, told Fairfax  many employees of the business who reside in Sussex Inlet and Wandandian had gone home.

Many other businesses in the areas have closed for the day.

"People have gone home to defend their homes," she said. "It's very windy and very hot. It feels like it's about 50 degrees. It probably isn't but that's what it feels like."

One employee from Nowra's Bakehouse Delights said their boss had gone to check on his property further south of Nowra.

She said everything was fine in the town and not many people were overly concerned about the looming fire threat.

Meanwhile at the Shoalhaven Ex-Serviceman's RSL, Craig Daley said it had been very quiet in the town all day.

"It's been very hot ... all you can see is smoke. We're actually a good 20 minutes from it at the moment. There's no threat to us as a business," Mr Daley said.

At the Cudmirrah General Store, owner Collette said they were awaiting further advice from the RFS, who were updating them by phone.

"We're just staying put at the moment. There's no panic - I run a business and you've still got to keep going," she said. "We still have a lot of holiday makers here and they'll just sit put until they're told to move on. After the last one 11 years ago, people know what to do."

Happily, people have been heeding warnings - proving a boon for one business. 

Terry from Thrifty Link Hardware in Sussex Inlet said the store was selling about eight hoses a minute.

"We're about to run out and today I'd say we've sold about 160 hoses all up," he said.