3-year-old boy missing from Singleton

BY JARROD MELMETH

Police are still searching for a 3-year-old boy who went missing from a property at Putty south of Singleton on Friday.

AJ, who lives with Autism was last seen at the property on Yengo Drive about 11:45am.

Hunter Valley Police were called to the rural property at about 12:30pm after receiving reports the child was missing.

A coordinated search has been underway since with the assistance of police on trail bikes, PolAir, State Emergency Service and Rural Fire Service. Emergency services continued the operation through the night.

Anyone with information about AJ is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Pictured: 3-year-old AJ.

Firefighter Injured While Battling Massive Bushfire At Putty

BY IAN CROUCH

A firefighter has been injured while fighting the massive 695 bushfire at Putty.

The Hunter's Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called to the fire ground just after 4pm yesterday to reports the National Parks & Wildlife firefighter had been knocked unconscious after a tree branch fell on him.

A doctor and paramedic team were winched down to the man where they treated him before he was winched out and flown to the John Hunter Hospital where he remains in a serious but stable condition.

Massive Bushfire At Putty Remains Out Of Control

BY IAN CROUCH

Fire crews battling the massive bushfire in the Wollemi National Park near Putty are preparing for another day of hot and dry conditions.

A Total Fire Ban has been extended until midnight tonight, with a very high fire danger expected.

The fire has burnt through more than 8,000 hectares.

Crews have worked overnight to strengthen containment lines, with heavy earthmoving equipment and water-bombing aircraft helping in the effort today, especially on the northern edge of the fire.

The fire remains out of control and The Rural Fire Service still has it listed at the Advice warning level.

Residents living on rural properties in the area are being advised to monitor conditions.

A Water-Bombing Helicopter Heads Back To The Massive Fire Picture: theherald.com.au

Firefighters gain the Upper Hand on Bushfire near Howes Valley

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Fire fighters are gaining the upper hand on a blaze burning in remote bush southwest of Singleton.

The fire near Howes Valley was upgraded to Watch and Act yesterday evening, but thankfully was downgraded late last night as fire activity subsided.

The blaze has now burnt through more than 3,500 hectares in difficult terrain, and the Rural Fire Service says there are a couple of isolated properties within the fire area, but at the stage no homes are under threat.


"The winds haven't been too bad but its certainly been really hot and dry in the area," said an RFS spokesperson.

Crews remain on the fire ground monitoring the conditions.

The advice from the RFS is to follow the advice of firefighters in the area and check and follow your Bush Fire Survival Plan.

Image MJF Productions.