Backburning Continues On Large Bushfire Near Karuah

 BY IAN CROUCH

A bush fire near Karuah has now burnt through more than 940 hectares after it broke out late on Saturday afternoon.

Fire crews remain on high alert ahead of another day of hot and dry conditions, with northeasterly winds expected to pick up by the middle of the day.

The Rural Fire Service says crews have spent the night back burning along the Bucketts Way, which remains closed this morning.

Residents living at Limeburners Creek and Karuah are being advised to monitor conditions.

 

Crews continued backburning through the night Picture: Zayne Phillips 

 

Anna Bay Bushfire Brought Under Control

 BY IAN CROUCH

A bush fire which at one stage threatened homes at Anna Bay, has now been brought under control.

The fire broke out off Fishermans Bay Road just before 3.30pm on Monday, sending a large smoke haze across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie suburbs.

Several RFS crews and a water-bombing helicopter managed to stop the flames from reaching homes.

Firefighters had the blaze burning within containment lines just before 10.00pm.

The fire, which has burnt through 12 hectares, is now listed at Advice level.

Firefighters have brought the bushfire at Anna Bay under control. Picture Tilligerry RFS

 

Bushfires Threaten Homes In The Lower Hunter

 BY IAN CROUCH

More strike teams are heading to the Lower Hunter on Friday morning to relieve weary firefighters battling a huge bushfire near Cessnock.

Three separate fires joined to create a dangerous fast-moving fire which threatened the townships of Abermain, Kurri Kurri, South Weston and Pelaw Main.

The fire has burnt through more than 600 hectares leaving Teasdale Tyres at Weston in ruins along with a number of homes.

Although the fire is listed at Advice level, work is continuing to bring the blaze under control.

Inspector Ben Shepherd from the Rural Fire Service says the exact number of properties lost is yet to be determined.

"We have what we call building impact assessment teams. They'll move across the fire ground today just trying to establish what exactly has been lost," he said.

Six schools are closed on Friday due to the fire threat.

They include Abermain, KurriI Kurri, Edwards, Pelaw Main and Weston Public Schools as well as Stanford Merthyr Infants School.

Almost 1600 properties remain without power around Abermain, Weston, Sawyers Gully and Neath. Ausgrid hopes to have complex repairs competed by 10.00am on Friday.

Meanwhile, a fire which threatened homes at West Wallsend has also been downgraded to Advice level overnight and is now under control after burning through more than 60 hectares.

Many residents were forced to flee their homes but there are no reports of property damage.

Both the M1 Pacific Motorway and Leggetts Drive at Richmond Vale have re-opened to traffic.

Crews will again be on alert on Saturday, with an elevated fire risk expected.

Teasdale Tyres and a car on fire at the height of the blaze. Picture Sky News

Upper Hunter MP Joins Calls for Better Public Land Management Following Scone Bushfire

 BY BELLA MIDDLETON 

 Photo Credit: ABC Newcastle 

There are calls for the Minister for Environment and Climate Change and the Minister for Regional NSW to undertake an urgent audit of public land management at Scone following a recent grass fire in the area. 

State Member for Upper Hunter, Dave Layzell, is joining the calls, saying the public needs to have faith in the State Government's work with grass and bush fire threats ahead of summer.

"The Barton Street Scone fire from Sunday 22 October must serve as a serious warning to all landowners and land managers, public and private, that preparedness for the current bushfire danger period has to be a priority," said Mr Layzell. 

The fire burned over 1,000 hectares east of Scone and required waterbombing aircraft to finally rein in the blaze and extinguish it. 

Mr Layzell says the amount of dry vegetation on the ground can contribute heavily to a thriving bushfire. 

"There was rural firefighters there, trying to protect properties, they were trying to protect equipment, but most importantly that fire was right down in one of our prime agricultural areas where we had some of our best horse studs at risk because of the lack of maintenances on the soil conservation.

I am concerned about a lack of on-ground preparation that potentially put lives, property, equipment, and high-value livestock at risk.

The NSW Government can call for the community to be prepared for the bushfire danger period but the taxpayers also expect that their public land manager is doing its share of the work," said Mr Layzell.

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. 

Crews Working To Contain A Bush Fire At Scone

 BY IAN CROUCH

Firefighters are still working to contain a bush fire which is still out of control at Scone.

The fire off Barton Street has burnt through almost a thousand hectares since it broke out in scorching conditions on Sunday afternoon.

At one stage, the fire went to Emergency Warning level but has since been downgraded to Advice.

Police say there are no reports of property losses or serious injury.

Another bush fire off the Thunderbolts Way at Bretti north of Gloucester has burnt out more than 930 hectares and is being controlled.

The bush fire off Barton Street at Scone on Sunday night. Picture: Hunter Valley News

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. 

UPDATE - 5.00pm Kearsley Fire Downgraded to Watch And Act

BY OLIVIA DILLON and IAN CROUCH

UPDATE 5.00pm

Exhausted firefighters are gaining the upper hand on a large bushfire burning near Kearsley, with the alert level dropped to Watch and Act.

Improving weather conditions have allowed crews to slow the spread of the blaze, which has burnt through more than 195 hectares since it broke out near Allandale Street and Lake Road early this afternoon.

Although the flames threatened around 50 homes, scores of RFS and Fire and Rescue crews have managed to prevent any major property losses.

An evacuation centre is in place at East Cessnock Bowling Club, while residents with livestock can take them to Cessnock Showgrounds in Mount View Road at Cessnock.

The Australian Red Cross has also opened a register for people separated from their family, friends and loved ones.

People can go to the redcross.org.au website and take advantage of the Register. Find. Reunite service.

 

UPDATE 4.40pm

An Emergency Warning remains in place for a large bushfire burning south east of Cessnock.

The fire broke out in bushland near Allandale Street and Lake Road at Kearsley at about 12.30pm and quickly spread southeast fanned by strong winds gusting up to 30 km/hr.

It's now burnt through 195 hectares, with the emergency warning now extended to Ellrington as well as Abernethy due to spot fires starting to the east of the main fire front.

Several residents in Lake Road fled their homes as the flames approached their backyards.

The RFS says around 50 homes are under threat but there are no reports of property losses at this stage.

A strike force from Sydney is being supported by water-bombing helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.

Another strike force made up of Fire and Rescue crews from Mayfield West, Lambton, Tarro and Belmont have now joined the firefighting effort.

The RFS says residents of Abernethy and Ellrington who have not left their homes, it's too late to do so.

Meanwhile an evacuation centre has been set up at East Cessnock Bowling Club in Neath Street Cessnock.

Also, residents with livestock can take them to Cessnock Showgrounds in Mount View Road at Cessnock.

Lake Road remains closed in both directions between Leggetts Drove and Allandale Street.

Another fire burning in the Wattagan National Park has burnt through 19 hectares and remains at Watch and Act for residents in the area of Mount Nellinda Road at North Cooranbong.

UPDATE:

An emergency warning is now in place for two townships in the Cessnock LGA, as a bushfire continues to threaten homes. 

Embers from a fire which broke out at Kearsley earlier today are being blown ahead of the blaze and are starting spot fires in Elrington. 

It means residents in Aberneathy and Elrington are in danger, and are being told to seek shelter in a solid structure. 

The fire is now burning in around 113 hectares of bushland.

At least four Hunter Fire and Rescue crews have been tasked to join the strike force working to control the blaze. 

EARLIER:

A major bushfire burning near Kearsley south of Cessnock has been elevated to Emergency Level Warning,.

The RFS says residents of Abernethy to shelter in place as it is too late to leave your home.

Dozens of fire crews are in the area around Kearsley Road and Kersley Selections Road.

It's understood at least one strike force force team is being deployed from Sydney.

There are reports from the fire ground suggesting flame heights are 20 metres high and through the tree tops in surrounding bush.

The fire has grown to 12 hectares in size.

MORE TO COME.

Two bushfires in the Hunter have been updated to Watch and Act status on Tuesday afternoon.

Residents around Mount Nellinda Road at Cooranbong are being urged to prepare their homes and families now, as a blaze on Gap Creek Road at Martinsville threatens nearby homes

The fire is currently 8 hectares in size and can be seen from the M1 Pacific Motorway, moving in a south easterly direction towards Morisset.

Meantime,

Several RFS crews are working to contain a two hectare bushfire near Allandale Street and Lake Road at Kearsley.

Winds between 25 and 30 kilometres per hour are reportedly sending the flames in a south westerly direction towards Abernethy.

A water-bombing helicopter is helping RFS crews to control the blaze. 

Kearsley Road has been closed to traffic.  

Lovedale Bushfire Threatens Homes

BY OLIVIA DILLON

More than 70 firefighters and 27 trucks worked to contain a bushfire which broke out at Lovedale yesterday.

The blaze on Talga Road was updated to "Watch and Act" at about 2:10pm when it began threatening nearby properties.

A spokesperson from the NSW Rural Fire Service has told The Newcastle Herald, at its peak, there was a truck positioned at every neighboring home around the then 21-hectare fire. 

It's since been upgraded to a 48-hectare blaze.

It was one of six fires which burned across the Hunter yesterday (Tuesday the 26th of September, 2023) and was brought back to "Alert" level just before 4:00pm. 

BREAKING! Firefighters Called To Bush Fire At Summerhill Tip

 BY IAN CROUCH

Firefighters have been called to a fire at the Summerhill Waste Management Centre at Fletcher.

Newcastle Fire Command says crews from Wallsend, Charlestown, Cardiff and Minmi were called to bushland adjacent to the tip just after 11 o'clock on Monday morning.

It's understood 5 separate fires were found when crews arrived and trail bike riders were seen in the area.

Crews have since managed to extinguish 4 of the fires - one is in a hard-to-reach area.

Police have also been notified.

Strong Winds Whip Up Bush And Grass Fires Across The Hunter

 BY IAN CROUCH

Firefighters were kept busy at the weekend dealing with several bush and grass fires which broke out across the Hunter.

The most serous was at Heddon Greta on Saturday afternoon, where a fire at one stage threatened homes off Main Road, fanned by strong winds gusting up to 70km/h.

Residents along Young Street were advised to prepare to leave their homes, with a Watch and Act alert issued.

Crews managed to contain the fire to 5 hectares,

Elsewhere, grass fires at Jerrys Plains and Clydesdale near Singleton burnt through 6 hectares and 2 hectares respectively, while another grass fire off Hez Drive at Abermain has also been brought under control.

All fires are now at Advice level.

Several Fire & Rescue and RFS crews were called to a bush fire off Main Road at Heddon Greta on Saturday.

Crews were supported by a water-bombing helicopter Pictures: Kearsley Fire & Rescue

Crews Tackling Bush Fire At Eraring

 BY IAN CROUCH

Firefighters has been called to reports of a bush fire at Eraring.

Newcastle Fire Command says they received more than a dozen calls to an area of bush alight off Wangi Road at Muddy Lake at about 7.45am on Friday.

Several RFS and Fire and Rescue crews are now on scene and working to control the blaze.

No properties are under threat but motorists are being advised of smoke in the area.

Bush Fire At Dudley "Deliberately Lit"

 BY IAN CROUCH

Quick work from firefighters has prevented an early-morning bush fire at Dudley.

Newcastle Fire Command says they received two triple-oh calls from passers-by at 4.40am on Thursday to a large area of bush reserve alight at the corner of Ocean Street and Redhead Road.

A crew from Charlestown arrived to find a 50 X 20 metre area of bush alight, taking about 15 minutes to douse the flames.

Police say an unregistered trailer carrying a hot water system was found in the centre of the fire ground, suggesting the blaze was deliberately lit.

Firefighters Called To Bush Fire At Hamilton South

 BY IAN CROUCH

Firefighters have been called to reports of a bush fire at Hamilton South overnight.

Newcastle Fire Command says they responded to a call to Henry Park at the corner of Beamont Street and Glebe Road at about 10.00pm on Wednesday.

A Fire & Rescue crew from Merewether arrived to find 10 metres of trees and grass well alight.

They took about 20 minutes to douse the flames.

No property was under threat and the cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

UPDATE! Crews controlling bushfire at Belmont South

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Firefighters are now mopping up after an earlier bushfire at Belmont South this morning.

Several Fire and Rescue and RFS crews have managed to get the blaze under control.

It's burnt through about three hectares, but no property is under direct threat.

EARLIER

Firefighters are responding to a bushfire near the golf course at Belmont South on Thursday morning. 

The calls came in around 8:20am. 

A dozen fire trucks are now on scene, with RFS crews also on the way.

They're confident they'll be able to get the fire under control, but it is moving in a southerly direction toward Harry and Green Streets, past the cemetery.

Residents are being advised to close their windows and stay indoors.

Crews Tackle Early Morning Bush Fire At Mallabula

 BY IAN CROUCH

Quick work by Rural Fire Service crews has stopped a bush fire from reaching homes at Mallabula early Wednesday.

Crews from Medowie, Tlligerry and Williamtown/Salt Ash were called to Fairlands Road at about 4.30am to find an area of bush at the Tilligerry Board Walk on fire.

They took about an hour to bring the blaze under control, with flame heights reaching 3 metres before it was finally extinguished at daybreak.

The fire burnt through about half a hectare.

Meanwhile firefighters have extinguished three grass fires which broke out off Settlers Boulevard at Chisholm at about 4.30pm on Tuesday.

Newcastle Fire Command says no properties were under threat.

The fire burnt through about a hectare before it was put out just before 6.00pm.

Crews from Medowie, Tilligery, and Willamtown/Salt Ash tackled the blaze at Mallabula. Picture: Medowie RFS

Firefighters responding to Fingal Bay bushfire

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Firefighters responded to a bushfire at Barry Park in Fingal Bay on Wednesday morning.

The fire was believed to be around 50 metres long, across the treetops. 

Crews were able to get the blaze under control within a couple of hours.

No properties were in danger.

Strong Winds Fan Bushfires At Fullerton Cove And Thornton

 BY IAN CROUCH

Strong westerly winds have hampered efforts to contain a bushfire at Fullerton Cove.

The Cox's Lane fire has burnt through more than 160 hectares, however no properties were under threat as the fire has been burning towards Stockton Beach.

Lavis Lane was closed overnight but has since been re-opened.

Stockton Beach remains closed.

Meanwhile, crews have been called back to a grass fire at Thornton overnight.

Newcastle Fire Command says they received 16 Triple Zero calls to the fire in Haussman Drive just before 6.00pm on Monday.

Crews had the fire contained but were called back to a re-ignition just before 10.30pm.

The fire burnt out 5 hectares and has now been extinguished.

Fire crews were called back to Haussman Drive at Thornton overnight Picture East Maitland Fire & Rescue

Bushfire Threatens Homes At Salamander Bay

 BY IAN CROUCH

Rural Fire Service crews are monitoring a fire which has burnt out almost 50 hectares of bush at Salamander Bay.

The fire broke out near Mariner Crescent just before midday on Tuesday and went to Watch and Act alert level as easterly winds gusting at more than 20 km/hr fanned the flames.

Homes adjacent to the Mambo Wetlands came under threat but crews managed to stop the spread with the help of a water bombing helicopter.

The fire is now listed at Advice level and crews will continue blacking out hot spots on Wednesday.

 The Salamander Bay fire is now listed at Advice level. Picture NSWRFS