2NURFM Hunter News: Emergency Warning

Wednesday, 13 September 2017

UPDATE Black Hill Fire Listed As Watch And Act: 4.45pm

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

UPDATE: 4:45pm Still at Watch and Act.

Black Hill Road is closed in both directions between John Renshaw Drive and Lenaghans Drive. Take the M1 or John Renshaw Drive instead.

It's still out of control and we're advised to continue monitoring the situation. even though there's no big threat to homes at this stage.

UPDATE: 3:10pm Parents with children from Black Hill Public School are being advised by the RFS they are able to pick children up at Lenaghans Drive on the east side of the M1 following a fire evacuation.

UPDATE: 1.45pm Browns Road has been closed, The fast-moving fire has burnt through 17 hectares of bush.

UPDATE: 1.40pm A helitanker is en route to assist firefighters at the Black Hill fire.

UPDATE: 1.30pm The fire has been downgraded to Watch and Act but is still out of control and a number of rural properties may still come under threat.

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An Emergency Warning has just been issued for an out of control bushfire at Browns Road at Black Hill.

The fire It is burning to the west of the M1 Motorway.

There is a number of rural properties along Black Hill Road which may come under threat.

The fire is spreading quickly and it's likely Black Hill Road will be closed in both directions.

The Rural Fire Service says if you are in the area of Black Hill Road and your plan is leave, leave now if the path is clear.

If the fire impacts on your property, seek shelter and protect yourself from the heat of the fire.
There is heavy smoke in the area.

Reports suggest the Richmond Vale fire is now under control.

There are reports a rail carriage at the Richmond Vale Rail Museum has been destroyed in the fire.

Emergency Warning Issued For Richmond Vale Fire: Update: 1.50pm

BY IAN CROUCH

UPDATE: 2:37pm The fire which jumped Leggetts Drive is now

UPDATE: 1.50pm The fire has jumped Leggetts Drive and is burning just to the north of the airstrip. Mount Sugarloaf Road and Sugarloaf Range Road have been closed.

UPDATE: 1.45pm The fire has burnt through almost 700 hectares. There are reports a rail carriage at the Richmond Vale Rail Museum has been destroyed in the blaze.

UPDATE: 12.50pm:
The fire is burning in the area of Leggetts Drive at Richmond Vale between Pelaw Main and Mulbring.

The fire has crossed Leggetts Drive and is spreading in an easterly direction. Leggetts Drive is closed in both directions.

A number of properties are under threat in the area round Leggetts Drive, Orchid Road, Whitebridge Road, Richmond Vale Road, and Sheppeard Road.

Elsewhere, crews have been called to a grass fire at Renwick Street and Appletree Grove at West Wallsend. Newcastle Fire Command says it's being brought under control and properties are not under any immediate threat.

UPDATE 12.15pm: The large airtanker, Thor has been sent to Richmond Vale to assist firefighters.

MIDDAY UPDATE:

Crews are working to protect protect properties on Richmond Vale Road with the fire expected to impact the area within half an hour.

An Emergency Warning has been issued for a bush fire burning in bushland at Richmond Vale between Pelaw Main and Mulbring.

A fire which broke out yesterday afternoon at the Tomalpin Link Firetrial has broken containment lines and is currently burning in an easterly direction towards Leggetts Drive.

The Rural Fire Service says a number of properties may come under threat around Leggetts Drive, Orchid Road, Whitebridge Road and Richmond Vale Road.

Crews on the ground are being assisted by three water bombing aircraft in a bid to slow the spread of the fire and protect properties.

Emergency Alert telephone messages have also been sent to people in the area.

The RFS says if the fire impacts your property you should seek shelter to protect yurself from the heat.

People in the Stanford Merthyr area should also monitor the conditions.