NSW fires: premier warns of ‘horror summer’ as three homes destroyed in Bega Valley bushfire

Emergency downgraded but RFS warns residents near Bermagui not to be complacent amid fire across more than 5,000 hectares

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Three homes have been destroyed by fires on the New South Wales south coast, prompting warnings from Anthony Albanese and Chris Minns for Australians to prepare for a horror summer".

The NSW Rural Fire Service confirmed the property losses on Wednesday afternoon after the Coolagolite blaze ripped through the Bega Valley late on Tuesday night.