UPDATE: Fire burning at Lovedale now Advice Level

BY JESSICA ROUSE

UPDATE: 4:55pm

Fire crews are still on the ground battling the blaze at Lovedale.

It has been downgraded to Advice level, but has burnt through 88 hectares of land around Lovedale Road.

Wind conditions are easing in the area and the fire is now moving away from properties burning in a south to south easterly direction under north westerly winds towards Maitland Road.

The fire is producing considerable smoke in the area.

At this stage the advice is to monitor conditions and have your fire plan ready to go in case fire does threaten and the conditions change.

For the latest details from the Rural Fire Service head to: Fires Near Me

Looking out towards Lovedale from Rutherford.

UPDATE: 3:30pm

Rural Fire Service crews are continuing to battle the 5 hectare blaze on Lovedale Road.

The fire is still at Watch and Act Level at this stage.

The advice from the Rural Fire Service is that residents in the area of Barnard Road, Londons Road, Old Maitland Road, Abermain, Cessnock, Neath and Weston monitor the situation and put their fire plans into action if necessary.

Residents are also being asked to take the advice of firefighters in the area.

UPDATE 3:05pm

A fire has broken out in on Cessnock Road at Neath.

2:45pm

A bushfire is burning out-of-control at Lovedale, south west of Maitland and is at WATCH and ACT level.

It's burning near Lovedale Road at Lovedale.

Rural Fire Service crews are on the scene and are being assisted by NSW Fire and Rescue, and water bombing aircraft are on their way to help.

RFS Inspector Ben Shepherd said there are no homes directly under threat at this stage.

"It is burning in a southeasterly direction under some northwesterly winds. It is moving towards Majors Lane."

"The conditions are changing. We need people to stay alert and take advice from firefighters on the ground and make sure they know what they'll do in the even the fire threatens."

Watch & Act: Lovedale Rd, Lovedale. Fire burning approx 7km NW of Cessnock. Moving SE direction under strong NW winds towards Barnards Rd. Crews on scene with aircraft support. Residents in area should follow their bush fire survival plan & take advice from firefighters #NSWRFS pic.twitter.com/1FHAh5BT0i

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 14, 2017

Abermain Fire 'Watch and Act'

BY SARAH BARONOWSKI

NSW Rural Fire Service have labelled the bushfire at Abermain 'Watch and Act' and continue to treat the blaze as suspicious.

Fire activity is thought to be picking up near Lake Road and Neath, and people are advised to monitor changing conditions.

Anthony Clarke from RFS says at this point in time, the fire poses no threat to properties.

"It is burning close to properties at the moment and firefighters are on scene," he said. "They're also being assisted with water bombing aircraft and that includes a very large air tank.

"It is really important that people in the area continue to monitor conditions. You may see an increase in smoke and flames and also be alert to smoke and embers throughout the afternoon."

As investigations continue, Ben Shepherd from RFS urges anyone with information about the cause of the fire to come forward.

He also warns that those who start fires, will be caught.

"Just don't do it. Society doesn't accept it, we don't accept it," he said. "We will find you and ensure that you are brought before the courts."

Fire at Abermain. [Image: Maitland Mercury]