A TOTAL fire ban have been declared for the Shoalhaven area today due to forecast hot, dry and windy conditions.
Temperatures are forecast to reach 41 degrees and with such conditions there is the potential for the Deans Gap fire, burning west of Sussex Inlet, to break containment lines.
Local and out-of-area crews from the NSW RFS, National Parks and Wildlife Services and State Forests have worked for more than a week to control the Deans Gap fire, however it still remains uncontained to the west of Braidwood Road.
The total fire ban will remain in place until midnight tonight.
A total fire ban means a ban on the lighting of any fires out in the open, including wood or solid fuel barbecues.
Further information on total fire bans can be found at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au.