Residents are being urged to remain alert as an out of control bushfire edges closer to Wollondilly towns.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Locals in Oakdale, Warragamba, Silverdale, Werombi, The Oaks, Lakesland, Thirlmere, Buxton, Balmoral, Bargo and Hill Top are being urged to monitor conditions.
Rural Fire Service Southern Highlands team Inspector David Stimson said the fire warning had been lowered from emergency level to watch and act over night.
Inspector Stimson said about 150 units were on the ground monitoring the situation as well as six or seven planes providing aerial support.
"People will be well aware of the run of the fire overnight so our message is still the same - monitor the conditions, have your bushfire survival plan in place and be ready to act quickly if anything changes," he said.
"If anything, last night should be a wake up call for residents."
Residents were warned to make preparations to leave and put their bushfire plan into action yesterday as the fire had jumped Lake Burragorang.
Inspector Stimson told the Illawarra Mercury last night that ground firefighters could not directly access parts of the fire as it was in thick bushland in the Lake Burragorang area. However, they would fight it if the water bomber could not extinguish the inferno.
There is still an active fire to the west of Ridge Road in Oakdale.
However Inspector Stimson said no homes had been lost.
"We have unconfirmed reports that some out-buildings had been destroyed," he said.
"Fire crews are working to contain the blaze but this afternoon there will be unfavourable weather conditions that may pose a bit of a challenge."
Wollondilly mayor Matt Deeth said residents should remain vigilant.
"There is still a risk to the community so I would encourage everyone to keep an eye on the Fires Near Me app and the RFS social media pages," he said.
"We want everyone to have their bushfire plans ready and have the plan in place.
"We have a strong, resilient community who band together in times of need and it is heartening to see them all rallying around each other.
"And our firefighters - they are the frontline for us and we are so proud and thankful for them."
Locals have reached out to residents in the fire zones via social media pages to offer transport for livestock, use of their paddocks or a place to stay the night.
The Oaks Hotel has offered free shelter to residents who have been evacuated.
"If you are being evacuated, come and seek shelter with us at The Oaks Hotel - pets welcome," the hotel's Facebook post read.
The George IV Inn in Picton has also offered refuge to people who have been forced to leave their homes.
Macarthur Mowers and Machinery has also offered help for any locals in fire-affected areas who need work carried out on fire-fighting pumps or generators.
"We will look at them straight away and free," the post read.
"We want to ensure it's starting, running and working for you then and we will do this free of charge to help out.
"Any major repairs required will be done at cost price to help."
This story Firefighters continue to battle bushfires in Wollondilly first appeared on Camden-Narellan Advertiser.
Read more: Be prepared as fires flare close to home
