Bushfire near Edgeworth being treated as Suspicious

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A bushfire burning near Minmi Road at Edgeworth is now within containment lines.

The fire has is being treated as suspicious, started by a car fire on Saturday.

"The car fire is looking like it may have been lit on purpose so fire investigators both from the Rural Fire Service and NSW Fire and Rescue will work with police to obtain what evidence they can to determine if it was actually malicious and follow up as required," said Superintendent Josh Turner from NSW Fire and Rescue.

At its peak, the fire burnt through more than 150 hectares.

Around 20 Fire and Rescue NSW and the Rural Fire Service stayed on the ground overnight and this morning bringing the fire into containment lines.

"Doing a controlled back burn from containment lines which were put in around Link Road and Minmi Road,"

"Senior officers will inspect the site and get some new information this morning to make further strategies on what should be done today to fully extinguish this fire," said Superintendent Turner.

The fire poured heavy smoke over the area late yesterday afternoon and a westbound lane of the M1 had to be closed.

The fire is listed as being at Advice level by the RFS.

Looking north towards the blaze from Edgeworth.

NSW RFS crews are assisting Fire & Rescue NSW at a fire burning near Link Rd, Edgeworth (Newcastle). Smoke will be visible in the area, however no properties are currently at threat. One lane of Link Road is currently closed. Please monitor conditions in the area. pic.twitter.com/cRWfuburLP

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 28, 2018

Bush goes up in Flames in Cameron Park

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Fire crews have extinguished a blaze at Cameron Park early this morning.

Firefighters were called to Springvale Circuit at 4am, after half an acre a bush went up in flames.

No properties were threatened and it took about an hour to extinguish the flames.

Tomago Bushfire update Tuesday 16th January

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Fire crews are continuing back burning operations today at the Tomago bushfire in a bid to bring the blaze into containment lines before the hot weather strikes again at the end of the week.

"Crews continue backburning on the northern side of Newcastle airport, between the airport and Richardson Road. Residents will notice an increase in smoke as aerial (so-called fire-bombs) are dropped from helicopters to burn any remaining bush," said RFS Inspector Ben Shepherd.

Richardson Road has now reopened, but there is reportedly a 40km/hr speed limit in place.

Image MJF Productions.

"We are moving to hopefully have the fire contained by today or tomorrow and that's ahead of some potentially warm and windy weather across the weekend where we could start to see temperatures drive towards the 40 degrees mark so we're working to have all of this work done ahead of that potentially increased fire risk," said Inspector Shepherd.

The blaze has now burnt through more than 2,300 hectares of land.

Due to the strong southerly winds smoke from the fire continues to blow across to the Medowie area.

The RFS is also advising residents in the vicinity of Richardson Road, Grahamstown Road, Harvest Road, Pastures Drive, Medowie Road and Wade Close, Campvale to continue to monitor the situation and take the advice from fire crews on the ground.

The Rural Fire Service is reminding residents not only in the area but across the state that we are in peak fire season and it's pivotal to have your Bush Fire Survival Plan ready or make one if you don't have one.

UPDATES: Tomago bushfire at EMERGENCY level once again

BY JESSICA ROUSE

For the latest update Monday 15th January: Masonite Road Fire updates

UPDATE 7:30PM

Thanks to some easing conditions on the fire ground, crews are gaining the upper hand so the bushfire at Tomago has been downgraded from EMERGENCY to WATCH AND ACT.

It's still labelled as being OUT OF CONTROL.

The blaze continues to burn to the north of Newcastle Airport in the vicinity of Wade Close, Campvale, Richardson Road, Grahamstown Road, Harvest Road, Pastures Drive and Medowie Road. Residents are being advised to continue to monitor the situation and take the advice from firefighters on the ground.

Strong southerly winds are expected to continue through the night pushing the blaze north.

Residents in the area are being advised to make sure they have a Bush Fire Survival Plan in place and know how to use it if necessary.


UPDATE 6:50PM

The Rural Fire Service has just issued an EMERGENCY WARNING to residents on Masonite Road. Fire crews are on the ground working to protect homes and the Very Large Air Tanker 'Nancy Bird' is helping crews as well to slow the spread of the blaze.

The fire is also being fought close to homes in Wade Close as the fire continues to burn north fanned by southerly winds.

The latest advice from the RFS at 6:26pm:

"Monitor conditions in your area.

Residents in the vicinity of Richardson Road, Grahamstown Road, Harvest Road, Pastures Drive, Medowie Road and Wade Close, Campvale, are advised to seek shelter as the fire approaches.

Check and follow your Bush Fire Survival Plan. If you do not have a plan, decide what you will do if the situation changes. Leaving early is your safest option.

Residents in the vicinity of Benjamin Lee Drive, Raymond Terrace, are advised to continue to monitor the situation and take advice from firefighters on the ground."

Emergency Warning: Masonite Rd, Tomago fire. Linescan image displays active area of fire. The image shows the fire has reached the area near Wade Cl, Campvale. Firefighters in position to protect homes & Very Large Air Tanker is working on fire front to slow its spread. #NSWRFS

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 14, 2018

UPDATE 5:30PM

The blaze is now burning OUT OF CONTROL and the RFS has issued a warning to residents in Wade Close, Campvale as the fire is expected to reach them in the next 30 minutes. Fire crews are in position to protect homes.

The advice still stays in place for residents in the Campvale area around Richardson Road, Grahamstown Road, Harvest Road, Pastures Drive, Medowie Road, Wade Close are advised to SEEK SHELTER as the fire approaches.

Check and follow your Bush Fire Survival Plan.

UPDATE: 4:40PM

There are currently 136 fire fighters on the ground battling the Tomago blaze.

The Very Large Air Tanker has been assisting as well as other air tankers.

Greg Allen from the Rural Fire Service said there is a strong, gusty southerly expected to come through tonight and fire crews are planning to accommodate for those changing conditions.

Residents in the Campvale area around Richardson Road, Grahamstown Road, Harvest Road, Pastures Drive, Medowie Road, Wade Close are advised to SEEK SHELTER as the fire approaches.

Greg Allen said that seeking shelter means doing what you can to stay safe - staying in your home making sure the bathtub, buckets, anything you can find is filled with water so if you need to put out spot fires you can and actively protect your home.

The Rural Fire Service (RFS) is urging residents to follow their Bush Fire Survival Plans and keep an eye on the potentially changing conditions.

If your life is at risk call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

For the latest update from RFS head to: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fires-near-me

There are reports Newcastle Airport is now closed to all flights in and out of the airfield.

Residents in Medowie are being told ash and embers could reach them from the blaze.

Emergency Warning: Masonite Rd, Tomago fire. This infrared imagery is looking south east over the Newcastle airport. The video shows the location of spot fires to the north of the airport runway. https://t.co/o5vERBAR4L #NSWRFS pic.twitter.com/f5Fi4U9DBc

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 14, 2018

UPDATE: 4PM

There are some backburning operations underway in the fire area and residents in Medowie are also being told ash and embers may fall in the area from the blaze.

The 'Skycrane' water bombing aircraft has flown in and is helping fire crews battle the blaze.

Winds continue to fan the blaze heading north.

UPDATE 3:45PM

The bushfire continues to burn at an EMERGENCY level.

The advice to residents in the vicinity of Richardson Road, Grahamstown Road, Harvest Road, Pastures Drive, Medowie Road, Wade Close and Campvale are advised to SEEK SHELTER as the fire approaches.

It's now burnt through more than 1,500 hectares of land.

For the latest updates head to: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fires-near-me

Jetstar has cancelled all remaining flights in and out of Newcastle Airport.

The airport is asking passengers to check the status of other flights with their airlines.




There are road closures in the area as well, Richardson Road is closed between Benjamin Lee Drive and Medowie Road.

For the latest head to: https://www.livetraffic.com/desktop.html

EARLIER: 2PM

The bushfire at Tomago has again been upgraded to an EMERGENCY level.

The blaze spotted north of Newcastle Airport just south of Richardson Road near Grahamstown Road and is heading north towards Campvale.


If you are in the vicinity of Richardson Road, Grahamstown Road, Harvest Road, Pastures Drive, Medowie Road and Wade Close, Campvale, are advised to seek shelter as the fire approaches.


The advice from the Rural Fire Service is to continue to monitor the conditions in your area and stay alert. If you don't have a Bush Fire Survival Plan decide what you will do if the situation changes, leaving early is your safest option. If you have a plan be ready to put it in action.


Residents in the vicinity of Richardson Road, Grahamstown Road, Harvest Road, Pastures Drive, Medowie Road and Wade Close, Campvale, are advised to seek shelter as the fire approaches.

Residents in the vicinity of Benjamin Lee Drive, Raymond Terrace, are advised to continue to monitor the situation and take advice from firefighters on the ground.

Tomago bushfire smoke chokes Richardson Road as wind starts to pick up. @nbnnews pic.twitter.com/VfPp0HJvT2

— Meredith Gibbs (@meredith_gibbs) January 14, 2018

BREAKING! The Tomago bushfire has been upgraded to EMERGENCY due to strong winds in the area. .@2NURFMNews #nswrfs pic.twitter.com/CnArXfB5ey

— Jessica Rouse (@JessRouse95) January 14, 2018

EMERGENCY Fire on Masonite Road, Tomago downgraded to ADVICE LEVEL

BY JESSICA ROUSE

UPDATE: 8PM

The bushfire at Tomago has been downgraded to ADVICE level.

Fire crews will remain on the ground overnight to monitor the blaze and keep it under control.

The Rural Fire Service's advice to residents is to continue to monitor the situation and have your Bush Fire Survival Plan ready in case you need it.

Fire crews may conduct back burning on the fire ground if conditions allow.

All roads are now open.

UPDATE 6:30PM

The bushfire burning at Tomago has now been downgraded to WATCH AND ACT.

Conditions are starting to ease on the fire ground thanks to some light rain, a southerly change is expected to roll through at around 7pm.

The blaze is now nearly 1400 hectares in size and is still burning OUT OF CONTROL.

"There is about 115 fire fighters with the Rural Fire Service assisted by National Parks and Wildlife Service along with Fire and ResceunSW and our dedicated fire fighters have been assisted by our water bombing aircraft including our very large air tanker Nancy Bird and our other air tankers as well," said Greg Allen from the Rural Fire Service.

Residents on the south eastern side of Raymond Terrace and those in the area of Campvale, are advised to continue to monitor the situation and take advice from firefighters on the ground.

Residents in Barry Close, Cabbage Tree Rd and Massonite Rd and areas close to Newcastle Airport along Williamtown Drive, Technology Place, Kindler Way, Cresswell Way, Slades Road, Sandeman Street and Moxey Close should also continue to monitor the situation and take advice from firefighters on the ground.

"We advise all residents close to the area of the fire and also right across the state to know your bushfire survival plan, have it made, have it discussed with your family and household so that in the event that a fire does threaten you know exactly wqhat you'll be doing," said Greg Allen from the Rural Fire Service.

Watch & Act: Masonite Rd fire, Tomago. Conditions have eased across the fireground. Residents on the SE side of Raymond Terrace & in the area of Campvale advised to monitor situation & take advice from firefighters in the area. More information: https://t.co/HhU6p2U20A #NSWRFS

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 13, 2018

UPDATE: 4:30PM

A strong southerly change has now moved across the bushfire. It's now moving in a northerly direction away from Cabbage Tree Road and towards Richardson Road.

Residents in the area of Richardson Road, Campvale are being advised to seek shelter as the fire approaches.

All flights are delayed out of Newcastle airport - the Williamtown airport has closed its airfield to all flights until further notice.

Passengers are being advised to follow the advice of local authorities.

UPDATE 4:15PM

A bushfire continues to burn OUT OF CONTROL on Masonite Road being pushed further outside of containment lines by westerly winds.

Residents in Barry Close, Cabbage Tree Rd and Massonite Rd and areas close to Newcastle Airport along Williamtown Drive, Technology Place, Kindler Way, Cresswell Way, Slades Road, Sandeman Street and Moxey Close are advised to shelter in place as it is to late to leave.

NSW Rural Fire Service crews are being assisted by NSW Fire and Rescue. Crews are being assisted by the large waterbombing aircraft 'Nancy Bird'.

There are several road closures in place as well which could change at any time. At this stage Cabbage Tree Road is closed between Masonite Road and Nelson Bay Road. For the latest road closures head to: https://www.livetraffic.com/desktop.html

A southerly change is forecast for this afternoon which should help crews on teh ground get the fire under control.

For the latest information on the fire: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fires-near-me

Advice as of 4:15pm from NSW RFS:

Residents in the area of Richardson Road, Campvale are advised to seek shelter as the fire approaches.

Residents in Barry Close, Cabbage Tree Rd and Massonite Rd and areas close to Newcastle Airport along Williamtown Drive, Technology Place, Kindler Way, Cresswell Way, Slades Road, Sandeman Street and Moxey Close should continue to monitor the situation and take advise from firefighters on the ground

Check and follow your Bush Fire Survival Plan and prepare for a bush fire in your area.

If your plan is to leave, or you are not prepared, leave early.

Well prepared and actively defended homes can offer safety during the fire.

Emergency Warning– Masonite Road, Tomago: Fire burning near Masonite Rd, approx 10km N of Newcastle. Fire moving in E direction towards Newcastle Airport. Sth'ly wind change in area soon. Residents should monitor conditions & take advice from firefighters #NSWRFS pic.twitter.com/mny0xRmZcY

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 13, 2018

Lovedale Fire Still Burning, but Under Control

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Fire crews are still on the ground in Lovedale working on the bushfire on Lovedale Road.

It's burnt through more than 260 hectares of land and came perilously close to properties yesterday afternoon.

Around 70 firefighters from RFS and National Parks are still on the fire ground this afternoon.

RFS Inspector Ben Shepherd said crews are conducting backburning this afternoon to keep the fire under control.

"Thankfully conditions are more favourable today and crews will be doing some backburning on both the southern and western sides in an effort to try and bring it under control."

"So residents are likely to see some smoke and possible flames as a result of that, but thankfully the conditions are in our favour and we're hopeful we will have the fire contained either today or tomorrow."

"It's a lot cooler, and we've got more southerly winds."

Fire Update: Thursday 14th September

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Cooler conditions and an overnight southerly change have helped firies get the upper hand on fires burning in the Hunter.

The fire near Richmond Vale in bushland around Leggetts Drive is at an Advice Level after already burning through 920 hectares since it broke containment lines yesterday.

The other fire which was causing concern at Browns Road, Black Hill is also at Advice Level this afternoon and it has burnt through 36 hectares of bushland west of the M1 .

The plan today was to strengthen the containment lines of the fire at Richmond Vale in a bid to completely contain the blaze before winds sweep through the area later this afternoon.

The advice is to keep monitoring the situation in case anything changes.

Meanwhile, volunteers at the Richmond Vale Railway Museum are counting the cost after the fire caused significant damage when it broke containment lines. It's feared the damage bill could be nearly $1 million.

Chairman of the museum Peter Meadows says the damage bill is unthinkable.

"There's three, what were operational stainless steel passenger cars, are now burnt out shells, our number one bridge is damaged. We've got hundreds and hundreds of sleepers that are burnt out and that's a considerable cost when you consider a sleeper is about $100 each or a bit more, so that's where we're at."

For all the latest updates on the fires around the Hunter head to: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fires-near-me

Leggetts Drive yesterday afternoon. Image MJF Productions.

Richmond Vale Rail Museum Damaged in Fire

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

The fire at Richmond Vale has caused significant damage to the Richmond Vale Railway Museum on Leggetts Drive.

Three railway carriages have gone up in flames and are destroyed, whilst hundreds of sleepers have been scorched, according to Museum Chairman Peter Meadows, who recently arrived at the site.

"There's three of them that have gone up in flames- they're totally gone, just a mess," he said. "Some of the stock that was out the back is written-off as far as I can see."

An emergency warning was issued by the NSW RFS in relation to the Richmond Vale fire earlier today, as it burnt through 700 hectares of bushland, however it has now been downgraded to a 'watch and act' situation.

"It looks like the majority of the fire has passed us now," Mr Meadows explains, "but there's still smouldering everywhere- there's trees and wagons smouldering ..."

He estimates the damage bill will exceed $100,000 and worries the Railway Museum will be forced to cease operation, as track repair alone will likely take several months.

"As I look down the track, all I can see for 800 or 900 metres is smoking wood and sleepers, which means every one of those needs to be replaced."

Peter Meadows commends the efforts of the Rural Fire Service, saying they've worked strenuously to contain the blaze.

A serious bushfire has impacted some rail exhibits at the Richmond Main Railway Museum near Kurri Kurri. Details on @nbnnews tonight at 6 pic.twitter.com/eQlKY3ghTM

— David Threlfo (@David_Threlfo) September 13, 2017

Over 2,000 years of service among some of the Hunter's best RFS firies

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Some of the Hunter's longest serving Rural Fire Service volunteers were recognised at a ceremony last night.

85 volunteers were presented with Long Service Medals for an impressive combined 2251 years of service.

Acting Regional Manager Chief Superintendent Jayson McKellar noted six of the recipients last night have given 60 or more years each in service to their communities. Of particular note was Alan McDougall from the Albano/Bowmans Brigade who has an impressive 75 years of service.

"I was talking to his son who is actually getting an award for 40 years service and he was saying that he's still a member, in his nineties, but I think he's involved more behind the scenes now," Chief Superintendent McKellar.

Chief Superintendent McKellar also made mention of the fact if he could award medals to the families of the fire fighters he would -

"I also make mention of the family, you know the partners and the children and the parents in some cases of these people who have, in the case of Mr McDougall, supported him through all of his years of service."