Firefighters are bracing for the worst as strong and erratic winds exacerbate conditions for crews battling the out-of-control bushfire on the South Coast.
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Strong westerly winds of up to 50km/h have hit the fire ground, after some promising weather on Wednesday night.
The NSW Rural Fire Service has warned conditions may deteriorate further on Thursday and threaten lives and properties.
The Currowan fire has burnt more than 55,000 hectares between Depot Beach, just north of Batemans Bay, and Termeil, south of Ulladulla, and is sitting at a "watch and act" level.
As many as four homes have been destroyed, but the severe conditions have prevented crews confirming the extent of the damage.
The fire is moving towards the Kings Highway and fire crews have warned the highway could be closed to drivers at short notice.
The fire has spread towards the coast near Kioloa, Pretty Beach, Pebbly Beach, Depot Beach and Durras North. It is continuing to move east towards Termeil and Bawley Point and is also impacting areas near East Lynne.
Firefighters have been working to cut down dangerous trees along the Princes Highway north of East Lynne and clearing them from the road during the day on Thursday.
The Princes Highway remains closed in both directions between the Kings Highway turn off and Burrill Lake.
Shoalhaven Rural Fire Service incident controller Mark Williams said there had been significant fire activity near Bawley Point.
"At the moment, we've had to remove all support staff from the fireground, like the building impact assessment team and road and power crews, because of the dangerous fire weather," Mr Williams said.
Batemans Bay Primary School has been closed to students for the day.
The school has warned parents against misinformation about the bushfires circulating on social media.
Strong westerly and north-westerly winds have been pushing the fire towards the coast and impacting on communities in the area.
"The fire's been pushed in an easterly direction across all points of the fire. It's been very terrain driven," Mr Williams said.
"There have only been protection measures put in place. There's been no reports of spot fires but there has been an increase in behaviour across the whole fire."
Erratic winds have been seen across the fire due to the westerly winds hitting the mountains and nearby escarpment.
Forecaster at the Bureau of Meteorology Helen Kirkup said turbulence in the air was being seen near the fire, causing some southerly winds to be seen in parts of the fire.
"You get turbulence on the lea of the ranges, so as the wind comes over the escarpment, it can do some funny things," Ms Kirkup said.
"As the wind comes over the plateau it loops around and can come in to the fireground as a southerly or an easterly and can create some erratic winds.
"The heat from the fire can also create its own kind of wind patterns as well."
Firefighters left spot fires at properties around Termeil and converged on Canberra businessman Terry Snow's property at Willinga Park to combat a blaze.
Visibility dropped as bushfire smoke intensified around Bawley Point and winds grew.
Crews were backburning near the property on Wednesday in an effort to stop the fire spreading towards the property and buildings where horses are.
Conditions across the fireground are expected to deteriorate further as the day goes on.
Hotter temperatures and lower humidity will be seen throughout the day until a southerly change later on Thursday afternoon, when conditions are expected to abate slightly.
However, fire crews have warned the southerly change could push the fire in a different direction.
Temperatures are expected to be in the high 20s to mid 30s throughout Thursday and into Friday.
Doug Dingwall
Doug Dingwall is The Canberra Times' parliamentary bureau chief. He writes about government and federal politics, and has an interest in integrity, industrial relations and foreign affairs. Previously he worked at The Examiner in Launceston, where he won a Tasmanian Human Rights Award for his reporting. Contact him on doug.dingwall@canberratimes.com.au
Doug Dingwall is The Canberra Times' parliamentary bureau chief. He writes about government and federal politics, and has an interest in integrity, industrial relations and foreign affairs. Previously he worked at The Examiner in Launceston, where he won a Tasmanian Human Rights Award for his reporting. Contact him on doug.dingwall@canberratimes.com.au
Andrew Brown
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
