Scone Bushfire Upgraded to Watch and Act

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A fire which has been burning through bushland around Scone has been upgraded to Watch and Act level. 

The blaze is burning to the east of Scone, north of Gundy Road in the area of Segenhoe.

It's now burned through 1144 hectares of bushland. 

Firefighters, and aircraft have established containment lines on the fire's perimeter, however, residents in the vicinity of Gundy Rd and Glen Creek Rd are being told to prepare now.

It means residents should put in place their Bushfire Survival Plans by preparing their homes and families for the threat of fire. 

Those who aren't prepared are being urged to leave their homes early. 

Cessnock Bushfire Upgraded To Watch And Act

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Residents around Old Maitland Road in Cessnock are being told to implement their Bushfire Action Plan now, as an out of control fire burns though bushland in the area. 

The blaze, which broke out in the Werakata State Conservation Area at about 9:30am, and has been upgraded to Watch and Act level. 

Residents in the area are being urged act now, as the fire burns in a southerly direction towards Old Maitland Road, which is currently closed to traffic. 

Residents in the vicinity of Quarry Road, Lavender Street and Tunnel Road, should monitor conditions.

Emilie Koek from the RFS, says leaving early is the safest option. 

"The message to those residents along Old Maitland Road is that they should prepare now and act out their Bushfire Survival Plan. 

If you don't have a plan, decide what you'll do if the situation changes," she said. 

Homes Destroyed In Girvan Bushfire

BY OLIVIA DILLON

There's been mixed reactions among Girvan residents today, after a major fire tore though bushland Southeast of Stroud overnight. 

RFS crews have been carrying out a fire ground assessment off Booral Road today (Tuesday the 17th of October, 2023), as they work to determine how many homes were damaged or destroyed by the blaze. 

The fire has now burned through more than 700 hectares of bushland and was at one stage upgraded to Watch and Act level. 

Although it's since been downgraded to Advice level, it's still yet to be extinguished by firefighters. 

Local Cheryl Graves, says some residents were given 5 minutes to evacuate their homes last night, as the fire started threatening properties.

She says while her home was able to be saved, others nearby weren't so lucky. 

"A lady up the back, we were standing up the road with her yesterday... their house is gone, she's lost her house," she said. 

"It's just on the ground; it's burned to the ground."

As crews continue battling the blaze, Mrs. Graves, says her home wouldn't have been saved without the help and dedication of local firefighters. 

"When you see the devastation around our house, you just realise how close it was to going into our house; although our house is brick it's just unreal.

You just look out into the yard and think how lucky we are to have a house to sleep in tonight at least," Mrs Graves said. 

It's not yet been confirmed how many homes have been lost in the fires.