Deliberately Lit Fires Cause Headaches For Hunter Firefighters

BY IAN CROUCH

Officers from Fire and Rescue NSW say they're shocked and dismayed by the number of deliberately lit grass fires across the Hunter in recent days.

Crews from the Hunter and Central Coast were called to the decommissioned Munmorah Power Station on Monday morning to find two conveyor belts had been set alight which subsequently spread to nearby bushland.

RFS crews are still monitoring the fire which has burnt though more than 50 hectares.

It's believed a firebug is also responsible for lighting several grass fires in the early hours of the morning around Windale, Gateshead and Bennetts Green.

Crews are busy trying to mop up several fires before hot and windy conditions arrive on Wednesday.

Munmorah Power Station

Abermain Fire Deliberately Lit

BY IAN CROUCH

Fire authorities say a bushfire at Abermain which threatened dozens of homes and destroyed a truck appears to have been deliberately lit.

Fire crews have spent the night backburning in a bid to strengthen containment lines around the fire, which has burnt out around a thousand hectares and is currently burning in the vicinity of Hebburn Road.

Although the fire has been downgraded to the advice level, Greg Allen from the Rural Fire Service says residents need to remain vigilant ahead of another hot day today.

"High temperatures, strong winds of course are going to be of concern. Our firefighters will do all they can, but of course residents need to do all they can to assist firefighters as well by preparing their properties in case fire threatens by clearing gutters, removing items from around their properties which could burn, and having a bushfire survival plan made and discussed with families as well," he said.

Firefighter Battles Abermain Fire Picture: smh.com.au

A Truck Is Destroyed In The Blaze Picture: Cessnock Advertiser