11:11

My last report from Nowra had the divisional commander reporting the southerly would hit about 9pm-9.30pm. It showed up about 7pm.

The sky changed to dark, deep, brown and the wind roared in through the very tall and thick forest where we are, whipping up dirt and ash and smoke.

Strike teams rushed to Milton down south. A short time later there were intakes of breath as a team was told they were going to Kangaroo Valley.

Kangaroo Valley is now under serious threat from the Currowan fire.

Earlier today, one firefighter described to me their strategy for the day: we can’t stop the fire, so we’re just trying to direct it as best we can. Strike teams were sent across the state on Saturday, moved around like chess pieces against an opponent that’s ignoring all the rules.

A short time ago I heard from the group who stayed to defend their places at Longreach. That southerly came just in time to push the fire away from them. But as we keep encountering out in these fires, the relief is pretty tainted for people by the fact that a fire moving away from them means it’s moving towards someone else instead.