16 December 2019

Kings Highway reopened near Bungendore after new fire breaks out

| Dominic Giannini
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Kings Highway

Kings Highway near Bungendore. Photo: File.

The Kings Highway has been reopened after a grass fire that broke out near Bungendore earlier this afternoon caused the closure of the Highway between Bungendore and Braidwood.

Live Traffic NSW reported that the Kings Highway had closed in both directions at about 3:30 pm.

The Highway has since reopened with a reduced speed limit of 60km/h between Goulburn Road, east of Bungendore and Mecca Lane, west of Braidwood.

Several properties are in danger and NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) crews are undertaking property protection measures in the area.

The fire is at an advice level and had burnt 62 hectares as of 4:10 pm.

Darren Marks from the NSW RFS Lake George Zone said the fire moved quickly in a north-west direction after it started.

“The fire has started north of the highway and is heading in a north-west direction up towards the Mount Fairy area,” Mr Marks told Region Media.

“I have around 10 trucks already there, and another 20 on their way,” Mr Marks said.

Fire map. 4:00 pm, 16 December 2019

A grass fire to the east of Bungendore has closed the Kings Highway between Bungendore and Braidwood. Image: NSW RFS.

The fire is also moving towards Tarago Road.

The RFS has also sent three helicopters, including the new Firebird 100 from the ACT which has increased surveillance capabilities and an infrared camera to help spot even the smallest embers through low visibility and smoke haze.

The Kings Highway between Braidwood and Nelligen between Narranghi Road and Reid Street also remains closed due to fire.

Motorists are urged to avoid the area and keep up-to-date on https://www.livetraffic.com.

Original Article published by Dominic Giannini on The RiotACT.

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