Bushfires set to burn for several days

Bushfires on the NSW south coast will remain a threat to life and property for at
least several days, says the Rural Fire Service (RFS), while firefighters also
battle fires on the Central Coast.
The warning follows a dramatic escalation of the bushfire menace with a wind change
fanning several blazes on the South Coast and forcing the evacuation of residents
and 150 scouts from a caravan park on Saturday night.
As scores of RFS officers continued that battle on several fronts on Sunday with
water bombing and backburning, two bushfires flared up on the Central Coast.
RFS Assistant Commissioner Rob Rogers said no houses were under immediate threat
from the latest fires in Tomaree National Park, Nelson Bay, which broke out around
1pm (AEST) on Sunday.
But he warned that swirling, unpredictable winds was making it extremely difficult
to contain all of the blazes.
"The fires in the south of the state will not be under control any time soon," he
told AAP.
"The erratic winds are making things very difficult. We're looking at two or three
days at least.
"The Nelson Bay fire is a medium sized one. It is not threatening any home at this
stage but it is significant."
In the south, a vacant holiday cottage destroyed near Dolphin Point on Sunday was
assessed by fire fighters as the flames approached.
Mr Rogers said nothing could be done to save it because it was surrounded by bush.
Meanwhile, dozens of occupied homes in the area remain under threat.
Coaches evacuated the 150 scouts from a caravan park near Tabourie Lake on Saturday
night and they were reunited with parents that evening.
Residents who decided to stay and defend their homes at Dolphin Point and Tabourie
Lake described how the fires bore down on them on Sunday afternoon.
Bradley Clark praised the work of firefighters as the flames raced towards his Vista
Drive property around 1.30pm on Sunday.
"They came around last night and warned us what was happening," Mr Clark told AAP.
"We made the decision to stay, like most of the people here and (the fire) has come
closer. It is much nearer now.
"They are water bombing at the moment and that seems to be containing it pretty
well. They are doing a good job.
"There is a lot of support here. The emergency services are supporting us."
Dolphin Point resident Paul Gurrier-Jones, who lives on Seaside Parade, said the
fire was very close.
"Fortunately, our property hasn't been threatened yet," he told AAP.
"It was coming up behind us last night and the firefighters were able to get in
behind us.
"Some Highview Street and Vista Street residents evacuated last night and today
there's been a lot of aerial firebombing."
A resident from Surf Street, Tabourie Lake, who did not want to be named, said smoke
filled the sky.
"They've evacuated two caravan parks north of the creek. It's a pretty hairy
situation to be honest, quite scary," he said.
Princes Highway has been closed to all traffic at Tabourie Lake.
The Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) says northbound motorists can use the Kings
Highway and then the Hume Highway.
Southbound motorists can use Picton Road or the Illawarra Highway.