‘Not yet controlled’: Air tanker douses flames in South Coast fire

The threat level of an out-of-control bushfire near a retirement village on the state’s South Coast has been downgraded after water bombing aircraft helped douse its flames.

Residents in Worrowing Heights near Jervis Bay had previously been told it was too late to leave their homes after the fire was classified as being out of control about 2pm on Sunday.

“Seek shelter now inside a solid structure such as a house,” the NSW Rural Fire Service had said.

Shortly after 8pm on Sunday, after a large air tanker had helped reduce the size of the blaze, the fire was downgraded from an emergency warning to “watch and act” status.

The fire has burnt more than 37 hectares and is yet to be controlled.

It was burning north of Sanctuary Point, south of The Wool Road along Larmer Avenue.

Firefighters would backburn Sunday night and overnight around the edge of the fire in a bid to contain it.

The RFS said a southerly wind change wa expected late on Sunday, which could push smoke over Huskisson, Falls Creek and Woollamia.

RFS spokesman Greg Allan said crews were alerted just before noon on Sunday, before conditions worsened and the fire was upgraded to an emergency warning status about 2pm.

“Things are looking a little better; crews are being assisted by an air tanker,” he said.

A previous warning before the fire was downgraded said: “If you are in the Worrowing Heights area, south of The Wool Road, east of Larmer Avenue you are in danger. It is now too late to leave. Seek shelter now inside a solid structure such as a house.”

Residents in Worrowing Heights, Sanctuary Point, Old Erowal Bay have been told to monitor the situation and be prepared to know what they plan to do if the fire threatens them.

The RFS had issued a total fire ban on Sunday across the NSW Lower Central West Plains and the Central Ranges.

A total fire ban has been declared for the Greater Hunter and North Western regions on Monday, due to forecast hot and windy conditions.

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.