Even after rain, there is no time for complacency as strong westerly winds and high temperatures fuelled multiple emergency bushfires in the Eurobodalla Shire on Thursday, January 23.
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On Friday morning, all South Coast fires were at advice level, but remained out of control.
The Clyde Mountain Fire was escalated to emergency level just after 1pm on Thursday, with Moruya and surrounds in the most danger.
The RFS said aircraft were unable to fly over the Clyde Mountain fire due to strong winds, as flames threatened Moruya homes and properties.
After a few days of cool weather and some rain, hot, dry and windy conditions increased fire activity, with the Badja Forest Rd and Clyde Mountain bushfires moving east towards Bermagui and Moruya respectively.
While originating well west in the Badja Forest Rd, the focus of activity for that fireground switched to Dignams Creek and the Tanja/Wallaga region.
Meanwhile, two new fires at Rocky Hall (Bega Valley) and Glen Allen (Snowy Monaro) were also raised to emergency levels as they burned out of control.
Due to the fire activity, the Princes Hwy was closed between Dignams Creek and Tilba and a little later between Coila and Bodalla.
Bodalla resident Duncan McLaughlin sheltered with his parents in a cellar as the fire front swept through their Bumbo Road acreage shortly after 3pm.
They emerged to find their home safe, but outbuildings burning fiercely and their water supply exhausted.
The family feared for their many horses and Mr McLaughlin broke down when the herd was found safe, despite blazing creek flats and paddocks.
Mr McLaughlin, a Eurobodalla Shire Council employee and former Bay Post/Moruya Examiner reporter, posted live video updates to social media through the ordeal.
The fire continued to push towards the coast, with Turlinjah and Tuross Head residents on alert.
Essential Energy said 7600 properties lost power due to the fire activity, including those in Rosedale, Mossy Point, Broulee, Tomakin, Malua Bay, Moruya, Mogendoura, Cobargo, Bermagui, Wallaga Lake and Beauty Point.
Many residents of Akolele, Wallaga Lake and Coolagolite evacuated to Bermagui to seek shelter.
Further south the Bega evacuation centre was again opened, awaiting anyone requiring aid from the multiple fires burning out of control.
All residents and visitors in the area are urged to stay informed via the NSW Rural Fire Service website and Fires Near Me app.
For current road closures, visit LiveTraffic.com and your local council website and Facebook pages.
By 3pm, there were 84 fires burning across NSW with 40 yet to be contained.
Meanwhile, three people died in a large air tanker crash while fighting fires in southern NSW.
The NSW Rural Fire Service found the C-130 waterbombing aircraft after it crashed in the Snowy Monaro region on Thursday around 1.30pm.
"There are in excess of 70 aircraft that have been used today alone and today is a stark and horrible reminder of the dangerous conditions that our volunteers and emergency services personnel undertake daily," NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.
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