Cessnock and Singleton Shire Councils have advised their Christmas events due to go ahead on Friday night (December 6th) have now been cancelled.
There are a number of significant bushfires burning across both Local Government Areas and heavy smoke is blanketing the region, forcing the cancellation of Cessnock's Carols in the Park event and Singleton's Christmas on John Street.
Cessnock City Council’s General Manager, Lotta Jackson said it’s difficult to cancel such a wonderful community event at such late notice but Council must put community health and safety first.
“The bush fire rating for today is severe, so conditions in the Cessnock Local Government Area are not expected to ease. We have a number of large fires burning in Yango National Park which is impacting on residents in Paynes Crossing, Wollombi, Laguna and surrounds. There is also a blaze continuing to burn in Pelaw Main.”
Singleton Council General Manager Jason Linnane echoed the statement, advising the hot, windy and smoky conditions are not conducive to a fun, family friendly event and the event's cancellation was the only appropriate decision.
Residents with heart and lung conditions are advised to stay indoors as much as possible to avoid the thick smoke and ash fall currently being experienced across the entire Hunter region.
At this stage, the events have not been rescheduled.
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| Heavy smoke hangs over the University of Newcastle's Callaghan Campus |
