Hunter Residents Urged to 'Get Ready' this Fire Season.

BY CHARLOTTE LLOYD

The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) is urging all Hunter residents to take precautionary steps when heading into this years fire season. 

Singleton and Muswellbrook areas are of particular concern as Spring begins, with residents needing to remove fire hazards and dangers from in and around their properties. 

Residents are also encouraged to use this time during the stay-at-home orders and preferable weather patterns to follow the steps to make sure homes are safe if fires were to occur. 

The NSW RFS have outlined five ways in which residents can reduce risk. 

1. Trim overarching trees and branches. 

2. Mow lawns and dispose of cuttings making homes accessible. 

3. Remove hazardous material that can be found around homes e.g., mulch, wood piles etc.

4. Clear grass and debris from certain areas such as gutters. 

5. Prepare a hose that will reach to each area of your house. 

There will be a 'Get Ready' weekend on the 11th and 12th of September in order to set aside time to provide safety accessibility and precautionary measures as the seasons and weather patterns begin to change. 

The NSW RFS is also telling residents to contact their local fire brigades in order to confirm the fire risk  in their area and use this time to protect both themselves and the local firefighters. 

The RFS is urging Hunter Valley landowners to prepare now
for the fire season Picture: Singleton Argus

 

Hazard reduction burns taking place across the Hunter from today

BY JARROD MELMETH

Lower Hunter residents are being urged to hold off on hanging the washing out this weekend as the NSW Rural Fire Service conducts a number of hazard reduction burns.

NSW RFS and NPWS crews are carrying out important controlled burns in preparation for the upcoming Bush Fire Danger Period. 

From Thursday Heddon Greta will be experiencing some smoke around Errol Crescent as firefighters burn off two hectares of bushland.

Across Thursday and Friday 44 hectares will be burnt off in National Park land behind properties of Lings and Browns Road at Buttai and Stockrington.

Mount Simpson Track at Laguna will see five hectares burnt off on Friday.

90 hectares will be burnt off in the Warakata National Park at Abermain off Bathurst Street on Saturday and Sunday.

While, another six hectares will be burnt off at the Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard at Pokolbin on Sunday.

NSW RFS Inspector Dave Millsteed says controlled burns help protect properties and assets and also assist firefighters to control any future bush fires.

“Given the forecast for increased winds on Saturday and Monday we are asking landholders to ensure they have adequate and functioning firefighting equipment on hand and follow the rules.

“Ensure you have adequate and functioning firefighting equipment on hand and follow the rules.

“Each year there is only a small window of opportunity where weather conditions are conducive to completing controlled burns,” Inspector Millsteed said.

“For a hazard reduction burn to be successful we require the right wind and temperature conditions and for ground fuels to be sufficiently dry.

Inspector Millsteed advises local residents to take appropriate precautions during the hazard reduction operation.

“This includes keeping doors and windows closed, removing washing from clothes lines and making sure pets are kept in a protected area,” Inspector Millsteed said.

Image: DPIE Environment, Energy and Science

Bush Fire Danger Period Brought Forward In The Hunter

BY JARROD MELMETH

The Hunters Bushfire Danger Period has been brought forward and will commence on Saturday 1st September 2018, one month ahead of the usual commencement date.

Guy Baddock from the Rural Fire Service said the early start to the Danger Period is a result of the current drought conditions and elevated fire risk being experienced across the state.

"There are a number of fires in the Lower Hunter at the moment and we are seeing some erratic fire behaviour which is certainly uncommon for this time of the year.

The Bushfire danger period will run through to Sunday 31st March 2019, where fire safety permits are required for open burning activities including pile burning and hazard reduction burning activities.

Mr Baddock said significant penalties apply to those who light fires in the open without a permit.

"If you don't have a permit, lighting a fire is essentially an illegal act and you can face a penalty, a walking infringement notice or an infringement penalty," Mr Baddock said.

Whilst it is not the first time the Bush Fire Danger has been brought forward due to weather conditions, the RFS is urging people to be cautious and prepared during the bushfire season.

Recent fires at Salt Ash which burnt through over 2000ha.
Image: ABC.

Mechanics Workshop At Lochinvar Goes Up In Flames

BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has destroyed a mechanics workshop at Lochinvar overnight.

Six fire trucks were called to Simply Works on the New England Highway just after midnight to find a large shed well alight.

Several gas cylinders inside the shed hampered firefighting operations.

It's taken firefighters about 2 hours to extinguish the blaze.

Fire investigators will comb though the rubble this morning to determine the cause of the fire.

Mount Tomaree On Fire

BY IAN CROUCH

A spectacular bush fire has lit up the night sky on the Tomaree Peninsula at Port Stephens.

The fire broke out at about 5.30 yesterday afternoon and has burnt through about 200 square metres of bush to the top of Mount Tomaree.

It's understood no properties are under threat, with the fire listed at Advice level and being controlled.

Police say two helicopters are being brought in this morning to help fight the blaze.

The Tomaree Headland has been closed to the public.

The cause of the fire is not known at this stage.

Mount Tomaree Ablaze Last Night Picture:Facebook

Masonite Road Fire Updates

BY IAN CROUCH AND JESSICA ROUSE

UPDATE 12:30PM

Newcastle Airport has closed to flights again due to fire activity in the area.

UPDATE: Newcastle Airport is closed to flights until 3pm due to bush fire activity in the area. Some airlines are diverting flights, some have replacement bus services. Check with your airlines directly about these arrangements.

— Newcastle Airport (@NTLairport) January 15, 2018

The fire continues to burn at the advice level today as fire crews work to

"Today we have around 130 firefighters from the Rural Fire Service assisted by Fire and Rescue NSW and the National Parks and Wildlife Service and also the RAAF Base Williamtown. These crews are doing an amazing job to protect our community and will continue to work as hard as possible to contain this fire hopefully by this afternoon," said Greg Allan from the RFS.

The main focus is in the north east corner around Richardson Road and Wade Close.

There are still gusty winds hampering crews efforts, but they are continuing to monitor the situation and changing their strategies depending on the weather and the wind.

"It looks like towards the end of this week the temperatures are going to increase, it's looking like the mid 40's in some parts so it's important that you may not have been affected by that fire in the Tomago region, but coming into the latter part of this week with those high temperatures it really is important, we can't stress enough, that you make or update that Bush Fire Survival Plan," said Greg.

The blaze has now torn through 2,296 hectares.

Backburning efforts by @NSWRFS underway at Campvale near Raymond Terrace. Full story with @meredith_gibbs on @nbnnews tonight pic.twitter.com/COOQhKG4NA

— David Threlfo (@David_Threlfo) January 15, 2018

UPDATE 8:30AM

Residents living around Campvale are being advised to remain vigilant despite easing bushfire conditions overnight.

The Masonite Road fire has burnt through more than 2200 hectares since Saturday and has now been downgraded to Advice level after threatening homes around Richardson Road,
Grahamstown Road and Wade Close overnight.

Image MJF Productions.

There are no reports of property damage.

Richardson Road remains closed in both directions between Grahamstown Road and Medowie Road.

Around 140 firefighters are backburning in a bid to strengthen containment lines.

However, Greg Allan from the Rural Fire Service says strong winds are again forecast for today.

"Today we've got a very high fire danger rating for the Greater Hunter area with wind gusts getting up to around 50 kilometres per hour. So, firefighters will assess the situation - through the morning things could change but we'll certainly work on strengthening those containment lines and with the assistance of water bombing aircraft hopefully this fire will be brought to containment as soon as possible," he said.

There is nothing but praise for the hundreds of firefighters who have been working on the fire ground getting it under control.

 "Not only the Rural Fire Service but also the assistance of Fire and Rescue, National Parks and Wildlife and the Williamtown RAAF Base there as well, everyone getting together to do what they can. Currently, we have around 140 firefighters, we have certainly seen hundreds of firefighters do what they can over the last couple of days to protect the area and our communities and keep them safe," said Greg.

Image MJF Productions.

Newcastle Airport has reopened today with flights as usual after two days interruptions.

The Rural Fire Service is warning residents in Medowie they may experience smokey conditions throughout the day.

Image MJF Productions.

UPDATE 1PM: Fire Breaks Out on Ash Island

BY JESSICA ROUSE and IAN CROUCH

UPDATE: 1pm The fire burnt through 11 hectares and is now under control.

Crews still on the scene.

UPDATE: 10:37am The fire is now within containment lines at Ash Island.

Around 40 crew and a dozen trucks are still on the scene.

Fire and Rescue NSW say the fire should be out in the next couple of hours.

UPDATE: 9:37am Eight hectare of grass is now well alight and still moving.

Nine Fire and Rescue trucks, as well as one each of Rural Fire Service and National Parks are on the scene trying to extinguish the blaze.

A shed was under threat at around 9 o'clock, but is now being protected by fire fighters.

There's a fair bit of smoke hovering over Hexham and there is some traffic affected both directions on Maitland Road at Millams Road.

UPDATE: 8:10am Four hectares of grass is well alight on Ash Island

Four crews working to extinguish the blaze.

EARLIER:

Fire crews are trying to extinguish a blaze on Ash Island, Hexham which broke out this morning.

Four Fire and Rescue NSW trucks were called to reports of a car being set alight in bush off Maitland Road at Hexham just after 6 o'clock.

The car fire spread to some grass.

It comes after a car fire is thought to have started the massive blaze near Richmond Vale around Leggetts Drive which burnt through around 920 hectares this week.

Man charged with lighting Kurri Kurri fire

BY JESSICA ROUSE

There is a lot of anger among Kurri Kurri residents this morning after confirmation overnight the bushfire which raged through part of the area yesterday was deliberately lit.

A 26 year old man spent the night behind bars at Maitland Police Station after he was arrested at a home in Weston and charged with intentionally cause fire and be reckless as to its spread.

He was refused bail to appear in Maitland Local Court today facing a possible maximum of 14 years behind bars.

Meanwhile, overnight rain has aided crews in containing what remains of the fire in Kurri Kurri.

The blaze ripped through 33 hectares of bush near the indoor swimming pool and crews remained on the scene until midnight mopping up what remained.

The clean up will continue today in both Kurri Kurri and Camberwell, with a cooler day on the way.

Investigations are continuing into fires in the region, including fires in the Hunter last week, and throughout the year.

Image Courtesy of MJF Productions Facebook page.

Kurri Kurri fire downgraded to ADVICE level

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A bush fire is continuing to burn in Kurri Kurri near Lang and Mulbring Streets and has now been downgraded to ADVICE level.

Firefighters from the Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue NSW and multiple water bombing aircraft are at the scene working to contain the blaze.

The fire has burnt through 33 hectares of land and was threatening properties in the area, but at this stage there aren't any reports of any property damage. 

Conditions have significantly eased and crews are hoping to get on top of the blaze before a southerly change moves through later today.

Police have issued a statement confirming a 30 year old man has been arrested and is assisting police at Maitland police station in relation to the fire.

Meanwhile the fire out in Camberwell near Singleton is now being controlled and is at ADVICE level.

For the latest updates and information go to the Rural Fire Service website: http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/