More than 100 triple zero calls in the space of just minutes were made on Wednesday morning as people awoke to see the Kingiman Road fire intensify.
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Although the cause of the fire is under investigation, one thing we know is how hard firefighters have worked to save homes.
“We knew something wasn’t right and we responded at about 7am,” Rural Fire Service Inspector James Morris said on Wednesday night.
“Currently, we have over 300 firefighters on the ground at the Mount Kingiman fire alone. Around 100 firefighters will continue to remain on scene overnight.”
Just one shed is confirmed lost in the fire, which has burnt more than 1200 hectares and jumped Woodstock Road. There has been no reported injuries to residents or emergency service personnel.
On Wednesday evening, homes on Croobyar Road were under threat from the fire and home owners were protecting their properties. However, the fire was downgraded to a watch and act alert.
“The fire is starting to pick up some activity and intensify just to the south of Croobyar Road,” Insp Morris said.
“Firefighters are in attendance there.”
RELATED CONTENT: LIVE UPDATES: Kingiman Road fire fought from air, land and lake.
The fire started on Saturday, August 11, afternoon, with National Parks and Wildlife Services and RFS crews responding.
“We had a fire start on Mount Kingiman on Saturday in a fairly remote and rugged area. Crews from the NPWS, as well as RFS, did attend and did have some containment,” Insp Morris said.
“Overnight [on Tuesday], we saw more activity on that fire and the winds picked up early in the morning on Wednesday, which flared the fire.
“The fire is still burning in an easterly direction, but hasn’t travelled as far east as we thought it may earlier today [Wednesday].”
The fire was updated to an emergency warning at 8.10am on Wednesday.
The close outlook on the fire is uncertain, with winds expected to pick up from 11pm.
“The wind speeds are expected to be some what lighter tomorrow than what we experienced today, however due to the dry conditions out there, there is still potential for fire to run,” Insp Morris said.
“There is potential for the fire to spot to the east and affect Kings Point, Burrill Lake and Dolphin Point.
“The wind will determine what our strategies are overnight and into tomorrow.”
Insp Morris urged residents to take care.
“Please, if you have undertaken any pile burning go back and make sure it is extinguished,” he said.
Woodstock Road is still closed between Wheelbarrow Road and Croobyar Road, however residents were being let back through roadblocks. Those closures are due to change as fire conditions do.
The Ulladulla Civic Centre has been set up as an evacuation centre, while the Milton Showground has been opened for those with large animals or livestock.
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