A helicopter works to stop the spread of a fire at Maddens Plains. Photo: Darren Malone.
The Illawarra is again being battered by strong winds today (2 September), with possible peak gusts of around 100 km/h.
A severe weather warning for damaging winds is in place for Monday for the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and South Coast, as well as a total fire ban.
The fire danger rating is ‘extreme’.
At about 9:30 am, firefighters were called to a bushfire at Bulli Tops, which closed the southbound lanes of the M1 Princes Motorway. Northbound traffic is being diverted.
A NSW Rural Fire Service spokesperson said the fire is burning to the east of the Princes Highway.
“It started in the median strip, jumped across and has just begun to go down into the escarpment,” the RFS spokesperson said.
“There is no current threat to property. About 36 personnel from RFS and 28 from NSW Fire and Rescue are working to contain it.”
Seven Fire and Rescue trucks are at the ready in the Austinmer-Woonona area in case the fire threatens property.
A NSW Fire and Rescue spokesperson urged residents to download the Hazards Near Me app to receive updates if the situation changes.
Water-bombing helicopters have been brought in to try to bring the blaze under control.
A three-hectare grass fire has broken out at Springhill Road, Spring Hill. Five NSW Fire and Rescue trucks are currently on their way to the scene.
Both fires are currently out of control.
More to come.
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