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TODAY
Emergency services are warning people to travel carefully between Cowra and Boorowa as firefighters may still be working in the area.
The Lachlan Valley Way between Cowra and Boorowa was reopened earlier today after it was closed due to bushfire yesterday afternoon.
"Firefighters have strengthened control lines to the north and south, and completed a backburn to prevent the spread of fire east toward properties on Kenyu Road," an RFS update said.
"Conditions have now eased across the fireground allowing firefighters to begin to start controlling the fire. Backburning activities will continue throughout the day."
A west-southwesterly wind change is expected this afternoon.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16
9.50pm
NSW Police have advised motorists that Lachlan Valley Way between Boorowa and Cowra will remain closed overnight, as will Kunyu Road, due to smoke and fallen trees.
"The fire is now under control and people who were earlier advised to evacuate in surrounding areas are safe to return to their houses," police said.
9.25pm
Firefighters have begun establishing containment lines as weather conditions eased, allowing emergency services to take control of the situation.
"A strong south to south westerly wind change crossed the fire ground at around 7pm and pushed the fire in a north and north easterly direction," the latest RFS update said.
"Conditions have now eased across the fireground allowing firefighters to begin to start controlling the fire.
"Firefighters will identify and establish containment lines overnight and may undertake backburns in an effort to contain the fire."
While the fire is burning close to some rural properties, no homes are currently under threat.
9.15pm
Conditions are easing and the emergency warning has been lifted, NSW RFS has announced via Twitter.
8.50pm
More than 150 Rural Fire Service firefighters and five aircraft are still battling the out of control blaze between Murringo and Boorowa.
The fire has spread to 10 kilometres north of Boorowa near the Lachlan Valley Way, which is expected to remain closed until at least 11am tomorrow.
"A strong south to south westerly wind change has now crossed the fire ground and is pushing the fire in a north and north eastlery direction," an update from the RFS said.
More than 4600 hectares of land has burned since the bushfire started near Murringo this morning.
5.25pm
A NUMBER of homes have been evacuated as a fire burns out of control near Boorowa.
The bushfire started eight kilometres east of Murringo earlier this afternoon and has spread towards Boorowa as firefighters battle to contain the blaze, which is likely to spread as weather conditions change.
"A strong southerly change is expected to reach the fire this afternoon," an update on the RFS website said.
"Winds may become erratic during the change and spread the fire in other directions."
Rural Fire Service brigades and aircraft have fought the fire in Young and Boorowa shires.
Emergency services are believed to be establishing an emergency operations centre in Boorowa.
Access to Cowra from the Lachlan Valley Way has been cut since 3.10pm, with more roads closing as the fire front travels.
Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) has closed the road between Boorowa and Cowra and is urging motorists to avoid the area and take an alternate route to their destination.
RMS advises there is smoke in the area that may reduce visibility.
Residents within the area affected by the fire have advised to follow their bush fire survival plan and to protect themselves from radiant heat from the fire.
At least one person is believed to have required medical attention after becoming trapped in their vehicle.
The fire size was 90 hectares at 3.15pm, according to the RFS website, and is located on along Geegullalong Road.
The temperature in Young was 28.6 degrees at 4.05pm, with westerly winds blowing at around 17km/h.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
- If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
- Continue to stay up to date with the bush fire situation by checking http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au, listening to your local radio station or by calling the NSW RFS Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737.
- If you live in the area but are away from home, it may not be safe to return to your property.
- For information on road closures, check www.livetraffic.com. Roads may be closed without warning.