Updated
The Rural Fire Service is warning tourists to leave
the New South Wales South Coast region ahead of more dangerous bushfire
conditions this weekend.
A so-called tourist leave zone has been
declared for the more than 180 kilometre area stretching between
Batemans Bay and the edge of Victoria's northern border.The RFS is also warning those planning on heading to popular holiday spots in the area to stay away because it won't be safe.
Dangerous conditions are predicted for the weekend, possibly the same as — or worse than — those on New Year's Eve, when a firestorm devastated villages and major centres.
The RFS said tourists needed to leave before Saturday.
It comes as the total number of homes lost this bushfire season in NSW rose to 1,298, with 381 homes destroyed in the South Coast region, according to the RFS.
The blazes have already killed seven people since Wednesday.
A father and son died in Cobargo on Wednesday, it is thought while defending their property, and volunteer firefighter Samuel McPaul died after his truck flipped in Jingellic.
Another three bodies were found at Lake Conjola, and one man was found in a burnt-out car at nearby Yatte Yattah.
The Princes Highway has been opened between Milton and Nowra, allowing traffic to move between Ulladulla and Nowra at the discretion of emergency services.
The major highway between Falls Creek at Jervis Bay Road and Corks Lane at Milton is open, but under a reduced speed limit.
Transport Minister and Bega MP Andrew Constance said the speed of the fire on New Year's Eve should be a warning to locals and visitors about the dangers of the poor fire conditions forecast for Saturday.
"I think the fire moved at a pace that no-one expected. It shot round the back of Nelligen to Runnyford, hit Mogo pretty hard and then just burned through to the beach," Mr Constance said.
"It's devastating. But we'll pull together, great community."
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