Sky News understands New South Wales Transport Minister Andrew Constance is currently unaccounted for in the state fires.

Mr Constance is the Member for Bega on the embattled NSW South Coast.

Sky News understands he was this morning defending his property South of Batemans Bay but hasn't been heard from for several hours.

Pictures: Australia's bushfire emergency

Mr Constance's office does expect though to hear from him shortly, with communication currently impacted by several mobile phone towers that have been knocked out by the fires.

At Microsoft News Australia we've partnered with the giving platform Benevity to raise funds for Australian Red Cross, St Vincent De Paul Society and The Salvation Army; these organisations are helping communities across the country devastated by bushfires. You can help these organisations by donating here and for the latest news and RFS links visit Bushfire emergency.