RFS crews respond to flare up north of Wombeyan Caves

The Green Wattle fire has so burnt 22,850 hectares, following Sunday's increased activity.

RFS operations officer Lachlan Gilchrist said there had been no significant change on the fireground today and crews were still hardening containment lines.

"However we do expect more activity tomorrow in the Southern Highlands part of the fire," he said.

Update Monday noon

RFS crews had their work cut out on the Green Wattle Creek fire late Sunday and overnight as flames reached more than 20 metres high.

"It was very furious fire behaviour and was very challenging. It took crews by surprise," Operations officer Lachlan Gilchrist said.

The blaze, which has now burnt 226,462 hectares, crossed Langs Road northwest of Wombeyan Caves at mid afternoon Sunday and broke containment lines.

A total 31 trucks from Southern Tablelands zone responded and quickly made inroads into bringing a level of control. Mr Gilchrist said the flare-up spoke volumes about the fire's erratic activity.

More containment lines have been constructed but the RFS is not confident they'll hold.

"The community needs to be vigilant about the fire's erratic nature," Mr Gilchrist said.

"There was no property loss but we were in property protection mode. It illustrates the dryness of the fuel and it makes containment almost impossible, despite the best efforts of our crews."

Mr Gilchrist said some people chose to stay while others were refusing.

"Our message to those people is we cannot defend your property. By staying you are not only putting your property at risk but also your life."

Owners of wildlife sanctuary, Rocklily Wombats, Dianna and Warwick Bisset have chosen to stay. Mrs Bisset said on Monday morning the fire was "spotting and burning everywhere" and was coming down the road slowly less than 1km away, felling trees in its path. However they had put months and years into preparation.

"We are super prepared," she said.

"We know people who are staying and are not prepared. They are risking RFS volunteers' lives...We feel a bit apprehensive but we're cautious and watching it."

Twenty appliances are working on the fireground today, strengtheing containment lines.

Update Sunday 4pm

The owners of Rocklily Wombats near Wombeyan Caves say they're feeling reasonably protected despite a flare up of activity on the Green Wattle Creek fire this afternoon.

Aerial water bombers are responding to the blaze, which crossed Langs Road several hours ago.

Warwick and Dianna Bisset own the 110-acre wildlife sanctuary off Rocklily Road, 24km north-east of Taralga.

Mrs Bisset told The Post she could see smoke billowing from the top of a 2km stretch of Langs Road above her.

"It's north-east of us and appears to be going down a large hill next to us," she said.

"It's absolutely dead still so we're quite pleased about that."

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She believed it had escaped from the Range Fire Trail backburn.

The Bissets have been preparing for months for a fire. They have their own containment line, a sprinkler system and have cleared a large perimeter that Mrs Bisset referred to as a "dirt park."

Their home is also designed to fire safety standards.

"The RFS thinks it's the most prepared house they've seen," Mrs Bisset said.

She told The Post the current flare-up appeared to be travelling down towards another property in a valley, but it also had a sprinkler system and a containment line.

Aircraft are currently water bombing the area.

The Bissets provide safe haven to wildlife.

"We have five wombats is the house, six in pens and 26 kangaroos and wallabies that have been released so we just hope they can manage," Mrs Bisset said.

"It's been a nerve-wracking time. We've been watching this fire for weeks slowly coming towards us. We're not overly confident but are feeling we'll be okay with what we've done. Weve been preparing for years."

Sunday 3.15pm

Numerous RFS crews are responding to a flare of activity on the Green Wattle Creek blaze, north of Taralga.

Southern Tablelands Inspector George Shepherd said fire had jumped Langs Road, northwest of Wombeyan Caves. It's not known at this stage where it has crossed the road.

However Southern Tablelands zone inspector, George Shepherd said multiple crews were responding, including strike times. Aerial support and heavy plant to create containment lines were also being deployed.

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Operations officer Lachlan Gilchrist said it appeared fire activity was picking up around the Wombeyan Caves area.

"People need to be mindful of the fire's status, monitor it and be prepared to enact their bushfire plans," he said.

It's unclear whether any properties are under threat.

So far the Green Wattle Creek fire has burnt 226,162 hectares.

Strike teams from Southern Tablelands have been attending the blaze regularly.

More details as they come to hand.