A total fire ban has been declared for the Illawarra and Shoalhaven as much of the state prepares for hot and windy conditions on Wednesday.
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The ban will commence midnight Tuesday and will cover Kiama, Shellharbour, the Shoalhaven, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly and Wollongong, where the fire danger is rated as severe.
The same rating applies in the Southern Ranges, Central Ranges and Southern Slopes. A ban is also in place in Greater Sydney, where fire danger is very high.
The NSW Rural Fire Service advises that well-prepared homes that are actively defended can provide safety during a fire under severe and very high-rated conditions.
Home owners are advised to follow their bush fire survival plan and stay informed of updates via area news outlets.
Forecasters expect the mercury to hit 32 degrees in Wollongong on Wednesday.
The forecast is for a sunny morning, with light winds becoming southerly 25-40kmh.
There is a chance of showers in the afternoon and evening and the chance of a thunderstorm in the early afternoon.