The burning of campfires and solid fuels has been banned in national parks and nature reserves until the end of February next year.
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The ban, which came in on September 11, means only gas, liquid fuel stoves and electric barbecues can be used.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service South Coast director Kane Weeks said "camp and cooking fires are too risky under the current conditions".
"Right along the coastal and escarpment reserves, dry conditions combined with hot, dry weather means that campfires are an ever-present risk in bushland areas throughout the region," he said.
"Under the current conditions, bushfires can start very easily from the sparks of a campfire. All it takes is a gust of wind and we could have a bushfire.
"Historically there are many examples where campfires have been the cause of major bushfires.
"The ban means all wood or solid fuel fires are prohibited in all reserves managed by the NPWS from Wollongong along the NSW south coast to the NSW border.
"Should a total fire ban be called by the Rural Fire Service (RFS) at some later stage then gas and liquid stoves will also be banned," he said.
