Speaking on Sunday afternoon, community liaison officer with the RFS, Marty Webster said that crews had been called out to seven jobs in the Bega Valley.

“There was a grass fire at Conmans Lane, Tantawangalo,  a grass fire on Mount Darragh Rd, South Pambula which was started after power lines were brought down by the high winds, a grass fire on the southern side of the bridge at Pambula river flats, near Oaklands and a bush fire at Back Creek Road, Nethercote where 15ha was burnt out.”

Mr Webster said that all fires were under control.

“There was also a small grass fire at Towamba and crews have been sent out to check smoke sightings at Pericoe and Rocky Hall but there is not considered to be any threat to life or property,” Mr Webster said.

The high winds have been a problem. Mr Webster said that although the high winds had been forecast they had not been expected to hit the coast as severely, in addition to which there was not as much rain as expected on Saturday evening.

Mr Webster urged anyone who has been burning recently to check on the state of the burn and to stay aware of the weather forecast.