The fire that threatened homes and businesses in the Salamander Bay area on Monday night is still causing concerns for local wildlife rescuers.
Around 99 hectares of land has been claimed by the fire, with vital habitat for the local Koala population among it.
Sue Swain from Port Stephens Koalas says they have been unable to carry out a Black Walk to search for injured wildlife but have rescued at least 4 Koalas from around the edge of the fire, including a young joey and her mother.
Ms Swain is urging public vigilance, warning that Koals attempting to escape the fire could be crossing busy roads.
"They've got nowhere to go, so they'll be on the move," Ms Swain says.
"The ones that are not displaced because of the fire have now got to go and find somewhere else to live, and they're going to have to cross roads and go through backyards with dogs to do that, so if you see a sick or injured Koala call our rescue line."
Firefighters are investigating the possibility that the fire and several others in the same area in recent weeks, were deliberately lit, prompting fury from Port Stephens MP Kate Washington who says anyone committing senseless acts will be caught.
"My community is appalled and disgusted at the thought that these fires could have been deliberately lit," says Ms Washington.
"The very strong message I want people to hear is that if you are stupid enough to deliberately lite a fire, that you run the risk of facing 21 years in gaol now, so if that's not a deterrent I don't know what else would be."
Port Stephens Koalas can be contacted 24 hours a day on 0418 628 483.
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| ABC News |
