Firefighters are struggling to contain an out of control bushfire that has broken out in the Royal National Park, in Sydney's south.
The fire is burning near Waterfall and has prompted the closure of McKell Avenue in both directions between Lady Wakehurst Drive and east of Waterfall train station. Access is still available to the train station and eastern car park.
![An out-of-control bushfire is threatening homes in Nowra.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170926163738im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/y/o/5/p/9/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gyo5el.png/1506338188780.jpg)
The NSW Transport Management Centre says motorists should exercise caution due to heavy smoke in the area.
Thor, the Rural Fire Service's large air tanker, is making its way to the fire front from West Nowra, where it spent much of Monday waterbombing out of control fires that were threatening homes in the South Coast town.
![Firefighters tackle an out-of-control bushfire in Nowra.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170926163738im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/y/o/5/p/a/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gyo5el.png/1506338188780.jpg)
#NSWRFS crews are currently responding to a fire in the Royal National Park in the Sutherland Shire. #nswfires pic.twitter.com/iQfXG4cBki
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) September 25, 2017
Firefighters have managed to get the upper hand on the South Coast fires. They were being brought under control on Monday evening.
At lunchtime, the RFS issued an emergency warning for the fires burning near Filter Road, Depot Road, West Street, Shoalhaven Street and Plunkett Street in West Nowra.
Residents received telephone warnings, instructing them to take shelter, before the fire was later downgraded. They have now been told to monitor the situation.
![The fire on Filter Road, West Nowra.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170926163738im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/y/o/5/8/y/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gyo5el.png/1506338188780.jpg)
More than 20 hectares of bush have been burnt, with some properties suffering unknown damage, according to ABC News.
Motorists were directed away from the area and students at the University of Wollongong's Shoalhaven campus were told to reconsider travelling there. Those already on campus were told to remain calm and stay alert.
@NSWRFS battle a bushfire coming within metres of homes in #Nowra. Residents urged to get their fire action plan in place @9NewsIllawarra pic.twitter.com/hy8mCKXUHN
— Natassia Apolloni (@NApolloni) September 25, 2017
Rural Fire Service crews were called to bush that was alight off Filter Road on three occasions on Friday and over the weekend.
Local resident Stephen Nugent told ABC News the fire was the third near his house in the past fortnight.
Mr Nugent said he would not be evacuating.
"I'm not going to but the missus might, she's a bit worried," he said.
Police have been investigating if the fires were deliberately lit.
Fairfax Media