On Saturday, police launched an investigation into the circumstances behind the devastating grassfire, as crews continued to battle the blaze with the aid of afternoon storms.

Having worked throughout the night to protect properties from the fire burning at Captains Flat Road between Carwoola and Hoskinstown, firefighters said they were monitoring for lightning strikes closely on Saturday.

"[The fire] has not been fully contained, but the rain is helping," a spokesman for NSW Rural Fire Service said around 2pm.

"Firefighters are working extremely hard to bring that fire under control...We can't put an end time on the fire just yet...it would be great if it was today, to at least have it under control." 

On Saturday morning, the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council launched an appeal to help those affected by the grass fire.

It was set to kick off later in the day at the NRL trial between the Raiders and the Knights at Seiffert Oval in Queanbeyan, with volunteers roaming the crowd to collect donations.

Council administrator Tim Overall was touring the fire grounds on Saturday morning with Rural Fire Service representatives.

"This is heartbreaking for our community and, while we will never be able to replace what has been taken from these families, the establishment of the Carwoola Bushfire Appeal fund will allow the community to come together and support those who have been affected," Mr Overall said.

Earlier

Firefighters have worked throughout the night to protect properties as the fire at Carwoola continues to burn. 

On Saturday morning, NSW Rural Fire Service said firefighters were working to contain the fire located at Captains Flat Road between Carwoola and Hoskinstown to the west of the old railway line.

Nearly 200 firefighters, 50 fire trucks and at least 10 aircraft worked to establish containment lines on Friday, but the blaze had burnt 2700 hectares by 7pm, and taken at least 15 homes.

A spokesman for the NSW RFS confirmed two firefighters had also been injured while fighting the blaze and taken to hospital.

As of 9:15am Saturday, the fire had burnt more than 3500 hectares of land around Captains Flat Road. The alert level is currently set at advice, after being downgraded from emergency overnight.

"Firefighters are working extremely hard to bring that fire under control," the NSW RFS spokesman said.

"It would be great if it was today, to at least have it under control, probably not contained, but at least under control." 

Power has been cut to the Braidwood area as electricity crews work to redirect power and repair powerlines in the area.

Following hot, dry temperatures on Friday, conditions now look set to favour those efforts. A rainy 28 degrees is forecast for Queanbeyan and across the ACT.

"Temperatures are a lot lower and the humidity is higher which will hopefully help firefighters slow that fire," the spokesman said.

People in the area of Hoskinstown, Rossi and Forbes Creek should continue to monitor situation.

The ACT Emergency Service sent a further three taskforces to the fire front on Saturday morning, including two bushfire helicopters.

Building Impact Assessment teams will also move into the area to confirm and assess the property losses.

Meanwhile, the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council has launched an appeal to help those impacted by the devastating bushfire.

“All funds received will be used to provide direct assistance to victims of the Carwoola bushfire,” the council said in a statement.

“Council will not use any donated funds for administration or other council purposes (e.g. infrastructure repairs).”

Donations can be made by direct deposit to the following Westpac account, or in person at a branch.

A statement from NSW RFS urged residents to decide now what to do if the fire reaches their property.

"If you are the area of Primrose Valley, there is no immediate threat to the area but the road is cut to the north."

"Roads in the area are affected by fire and may not be safe." 

There are a number of roads closed due to safety reasons and a total fire ban remains in place across the ACT.

A 24-hour evacuation centre has been established at The 'Q' - Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, 253 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan. 

Horse owners requiring assistance can take their horses to Exhibition Park's Equestrian Centre, located at 10 Flemington Road Mitchell ACT. 

There are currently around 90 fires burning across the NSW, 40 of which are understood to be uncontained.

For more information contact the EPIC 24-hour duty phone on 0466 419 099.

with Sherryn Groch