Fire remnant is downgraded

The fire that affected parts of the Peninsula on New Year's Day was downgraded to a class 1 fire by January 10.

The fire destroyed three homes, and seven vehicles belonging to volunteers fire fighters.

Fires, assisted by a southerly and 44 degree heat, burnt Umina, Pearl Beach, Patonga, Phegans Bay, Horsfield Bay, Woy Woy Bay, Little Wobby, Mullet Creek, Hawkesbury River, Kariong, Tascott and Koolewong.

Two of the properties were lost at Phegans Bay and one at Horsfield Bay.

Recent NSW Rural Fire Service reports stated that the main fire, believed to have begun at the Bulls Hill Quarry, had burnt between 2100 and 2600 hectares in the Brisbane Water National Park.

A report from January 3 stated that at the time 45 crews and 10 helicopters, including "Rocky" the skycrane, were operating on the Woy Woy, Spencer and Mt White fires.

Rain had helped minimise fire activity during last week, but had also hampered fire crews' ability to complete planned back burning operations, according to the report.

The Rural Fire Service had reported that there was potential for hot spots to continue smouldering within the area, and that the fire was not considered out until the hot spots no longer presented a concern to the incident management team.

At the time of writing, crews were still patrolling the area, continuing to monitor fire-affected areas.

Aircraft were also being used to monitor fire-affected areas using infrared heat detection.

Community Liaison Officers from the NSW Rural Fire Service had been in the area, visiting residents.

They met with more than 750 residents, providing current fire information as well as information of fire preparedness and prevention.

The Australian Red Cross also door knocked residents within the affected areas offering counselling services and other assistance.

Meetings to discuss fire preparedness issues were also held on January 9 at the reserve on the corner of Phegans Bay Rd and Central Rd and the Bays Community Centre, as well as at the Woy Woy Progress Association Hall on January 10.

The Rural Fire Service has encouraged residents to continue their property preparedness during the bushfire danger period.

Press release, January 9 The NSW Rural Fire Service Lyle Stone, January 13