Goulburn overcome by smoke from district blazes

A large area of the city has also experienced a power outage. Essential Energy's website shows a large section of south and west Goulburn, stretching out to Gurrundah and Wheeo Roads, has been affected.

Essential Enegy has not returned calls regarding its cause. However power went out at 5.15pm Tuesday and impacted 1176 customers.

Meantime, smoke is pouring in from the Currowan fire burning on the eastern side of the Shoalhaven River. Residents in Tallong and Marulan have reported huge plumes of smoke over the other side of Bungonia Gorge, over the river, but those communities have not been impacted by fire.

Bungonia resident Greg Callander, who lives 15km south of the village, told The Post at 7pm that he and the property were fine and heavy drops of rain were falling.

READ MORE: Communities on alert as Currowan fire reaches 'emergency' level

The RFS also said it had received several reports of fire but most were "false alarms." Residents were seeing smoke from other fires, zone manager, Peter Alley said.

Just after 5pm, a fire on the Hume Highway, near South Goulburn, erupted in two places. This is being controlled. Several travellers stopped through Goulburn, diverted from the highway, to wait out the blaze or rejoin the highway in the city's north.

READ MORE: Fire on Hume Highway near Goulburn

The Green Wattle fire burning near Wombeyan Caves and the Southern Highlands, has also burnt through 246,852 hectares. It is at 'watch and act' status.

Meantime, Department of Industry and Environment data from Goulburn's air quality monitor showed the index at 1247 between 5pm and 6pm. Anything above 200 is considered hazardous.

The RFS has put a very high fire danger rating in place for Wednesday, carrying a total fire ban.

While calmer conditions are predicted for New Year's Day, Southern Tablelands zone says the threat from the Currowan and Green Wattle fires has not passed.