The fire emergency heightened in the face of dreadful conditions on Thursday afternoon.
Communities on the NSW South Coast, having already gone two rounds with fires, are again under threat and two fires have merged and are threatening homes and buildings in Canberra's east and Queanbeyan.
People in Beard, Oaks Estate and West Queanbeyan including Crestwood are being warned to seek shelter immediately, as the fire is travelling in an easterly direction.
The live blog below can take a moment to appear.
