Southern inland fire situation

A Bungendore resident has praised the efforts of Rural Fire Service crews who have worked tirelessly to protect properties threatened by a fierce blaze in the area.

The Sand Hills fire is still burning 13km east of Bungendore near the Kings Highway and is currently being controlled by fire fighters.

Bungendore resident and Lake George Hotel employee Nathan Sillis said the fire was one that “got out of control pretty quickly” but fire crews were quick to defend it .

“I went for a drive last night with my father because it could have approached one of our properties, but it wasn’t that close,” Mr Sillis said. “We went for a bit of a drive and checked it out, it was pretty powerful last night still. Even with the wind it was really kicking off.”

Mr Sillis said fortunately the fire was two or three valleys away from his family property.

“Bungendore was lucky in a way because the westerlies were so strong it was pushing it [the fire] back towards the coast.

"If it changed direction slightly east we would have been in a lot of trouble.

“It’s still bad, it put a lot of homes at risk along the way.”