While he was preparing to play a Big Bash League game against the Adelaide Strikers on New Year's Eve, the fire was coming within 500 metres of his family farm at Ulladulla.

Thankfully, the wind changed. And the fire moved away. For now.

Then the Thunder produced a thrilling three-run win.

"I had a fair bit of a scare with the parents and our house yesterday," Gilkes said on Wednesday.

"It was pretty frightening yesterday, it was getting quite close.

"They're all good thankfully. We had a bit of a wind change so it all went away after a little bit.

"I was trying to get in contact with them for a while because all the power and reception was gone down there, so I couldn't get in contact with them.

"I was a little bit worried, but they sent me a message which was good."

Gilkes' breakout summer has been tied in with the bushfires ravaging NSW's south coast.

Not just through his parent's farm, but also on the field as well.

The former ACT Comet was part of NSW's win over Queensland in the Sheffield Shield at an SCG blanketed by a "toxic" smoke cloud.

And also at Manuka Oval when the Thunder's BBL game against the Strikers was called off due to the smoke less than two weeks later.

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He could be back amongst it when they play the Melbourne Stars at their first home game in Sydney for the summer on Thursday night.

The smoke's also threatening to impact the third Test between Australia and New Zealand at the SCG, which starts Friday.

Gilkes said Cricket Australia had shown they were willing to make the tough call if the conditions became too bad.

"It does take it out of you a little bit, sucking in the [smoky] air while you're running," he said.

"Visibility wise it would definitely make it tougher.

"They've shown they're not afraid to do it and they're just trying to do what's best for everyone really - all the players, all the spectators.

"It definitely is a tough decision for them."

Smoke and fire aside, it's been a bumper summer for Gilkes - making his Shield and one-day domestic debuts, while also continuing his BBL career with the table-topping Thunder.

While he said he's been struggling with the bat recently, he's been happy with his glovework behind the stumps and was hoping he could take confidence from that when he next strides out to the crease.

"It's been much different compared to what I'm used to," Gilkes said.

"I'm usually playing grade cricket so I'm getting used to being on the road a lot, playing a lot more cricket than what I usually do.

"But I'm absolutely loving it at the moment. It's been awesome being around. I'm living the dream really."

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Thursday: Sydney Thunder v Melbourne Stars at Sydney Showground, 3.40pm.