Wednesday, 13 September 2017

Heaton State Forest Being Evacuated as Fire Approaches UPDATED 5:11pm

BY JESSICA ROUSE

UPDATE: 5:11pm Most roads around the perimeter of Watagan Forest boundaries are closed.

Freemans Drive is closed at the base of the hill.

The wind has subsided in the area, but the Forestry Corporation fear the small fire in Heaton at Hickory Road could have been deliberately lit.

There's no immediate threat to homes at this stage.

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Heaton State Forest and Watagans National Park near the massive Freemans Waterhole blaze has been evacuated.

The Forestry Corporation of NSW is asking all visitors to leave the Watagan Mountains area immediately, and vice versa do not attempt to enter the area.

A bushfire in Heaton State Forest is spreading north of Mt Faulk Road, Heaton Road and Watagan Forest Road towards the Watagan National Park and along the Heaton end of Leggetts Drive.

There's also a small bushfire out of control on Hickory Road in Heaton

Extra crews from the Forestry Corporation have been dispatched to the area.