Local Rural Fire Service volunteers have been assisting with safety operations as the aircraft are hot refuelled, without stopping, at the Braidwood Recreation Ground. Further aircraft were being serviced from Krawarree.

The fire started on Tuesday 20 January during a lightning storm in the area.

The remoteness of the area has made on the ground firefighting difficult. Twenty one fire units, supported by over fifty fire fighters from the Rural Fire Service, National Parks and Wildlife Service and Forests NSW were in the field on Monday strengthening containment lines and blacking out along Western Distributor Road.

Firefighters have concentrated on containing the fire with the cooler conditions of the past few days. One priority is the protection of the control tower at Mount Budawang that services emergency radio communications for Palerang and the coastal areas.

Firefighters are continuing to work on containment strategies, including backburning operations, where local conditions allow.

Rural Fire Service personnel have been visiting properties in the vicinity of the Kings Highway, Nelligen and Mongarlowe to provide updates on the fire and advice on property protection.

Temperatures are predicted to be in the mid 30s for the next few days. Without significant rain the fire is not likely to be put out for some time.