An emergency warning issued for a bushfire burning uncontrolled east of Cooma has been downgraded to a watch and act alert.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Earlier in the evening the RFS issued an emergency warning alert and advised that fifteen properties were under threat in Countegany and Kybeyan.
However a southerly change has come through, easing the threat to fires and prompting the down grade in the alert level.
RFS Superintendent Matt Inwood said residents in the area still need to monitor the fire and conditions.
"The properties need to remain vigilent," he said.
Superintendent Inwood said at 6.20pm, the fire was burning between Jibolaro Creek in the north and Hains Road in the south.
He said about 100 firefighters were working to contain the fire which has burnt out 9800km land east of Cooma.
Residents along Jibolaro and Hains Roads, as well as throughout the Kybeyan area, have been warned to move stock to safe areas in preparation.
Authorities are holding a community meeting at the Numarella Hall at 2pm on Sunday to update residents on the danger. Locals are urged to attend.
ACT and Queanbeyan region crews have been sent to assist volunteers on the ground near Numerella and Nimmitabel.
Crews worked hard overnight on backburning and strengthening containment lines, and their work was set to continue today.
Drivers in the area were warned there was limited access to Tuross River Road.
Cobblers Road fire near Yass
Meantime, firefighters have contained the Cobblers Road fire burning 11 kilometres west of Yass, near the eastern end of Burrinjuck Dam.
This morning there were 60 fire fighters working to contain the fire, which has a perimeter of 100km and has to date burn through 13,967 of land.
Black Range Road remained closed this morning due to falling timber and smoke. The Burrinjuck Road was open with a 60km/h speed limit.
An RFS spokesperson said drivers in the areas should take extreme caution.
"When there is fire on the side of the road there can often be falling trees," he said.
Residents near both the Yarrabin and Cobblers Road fires should monitor conditions, stay informed and follow their Bush Fire Survival Plan.
Around the region temperatures were forecast to reach up to 37 degrees and a total fire ban is in force in both NSW and the ACT until 12am tonight.
Canberra and ACT
In the ACT strong winds and dry there were no fires burning this morning, however hot conditions have taken the fire danger rating from severe to extreme.
A number of recreational areas were closed today in ACT including Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, Namadgi National Park, Kowen Forest, Googong Foreshores, Lower Molonglo River Corridor and Mulligans Flat Woodlands Sanctuary, although the Visitor Centres at Tidbinbilla and Namadgi were open.
Canberra Nature Park and all Pine Forest areas other than Kowen Forest were open until 11am, but are now closed.
For advice on closures call Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.
The ESA has also reminded Canberrans about the dangers of heat stress with very hot conditions forecast today in the Territory.
To stay up to date with the latest advice on fires in your area go to esa.act.gov.au for the ACT and rfs.nsw.gov.au for NSW.