Farmers have frantically moved livestock and horses to safety as an out-of-control blaze threatened rural properties near Canberra.
A grass and bush fire near Tarago, NSW is now 3290 hectares in size.
Water bombing helicopters and firefighting ground crews pounced on flare ups and spot fires on Wednesday as the mercury soared to 37 degrees and conditions deteriorated throughout the day.
One rural homestead has been lost so far.
The NSW Rural Fire Service urged residents around the Mount Fairy and Boro areas to implement their bushfire survival plans.
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The blaze burnt through Kevin Williamson's 160ha farm near Mount Fairy.
"I wasn't there when it came through. It happened so quickly, I couldn't get to the sheep," he told AAP.
He was forced to put down 20 of his lambs and is moving 60 others, which survived, to a paddock outside the danger zone.
Mr Williamson estimated his losses, including damaged fences, could total about $100,000, but he's hopeful of a quick recovery.
"If it rains it won't be a problem. If it doesn't, we'll have to buy in feed," he said.
It's the second fire Mr Williamson's faced in two weeks after another property of his near Boro was burnt out.
Meanwhile, Kelly Pulbrook and her family were busily moving their three horses out of harm's way.
"We have two more loads to do," she told AAP, as she drove off with a horse float on the back of her vehicle.
Crews took advantage of more favourable conditions, including some rain overnight, to strengthen containment lines and hold the fire to the western side of Goulburn Road between Boro Road and Barnet Drive.
* Anyone who has relocated due to the fire should register with Queanbeyan Police Station on (02) 6298 0558.
* Residents who need to relocate horses from the area can take them to Goulburn Showground.
