30 Aug 2009

Bushfire threat in New South Wales

5:55 pm on 30 August 2009

Bushfire season has come early to New South Wales where firefighters have been battling two blazes close to homes on the south coast of the state.

Princes Highway between Melbourne and Sydney has been closed near the town of Ulladulla and the rural fire service says winds will pick up later on Sunday and remain unpredictable.

Further south, residents of Central Tilba were being asked to prepare their properties because of another fire which had already burned out almost 2,200 hectares, the ABC reports.

Rural fire service spokesperson, Gregg Potts, says people must decide whether they will stay and defend their homes, or leave early.

He told the ABC the situation wasn't as potentially dangerous as on Saturday but precautions were needed nonetheless.