UPDATE: 5:30pm
If you are in the area of Salt Ash, particularly Salt Ash Ave, Hideaway Drive and Shady Ave, it is too late to leave. Seek shelter as the fire front arrives and protect yourself from the heat of the fire.
If you are not in the area, it may not be safe to return. Richardson Road and Medowie Road is closed.
Put your Bush Fire Survival Plan into action. If you do not have a Bush Fire Survival Plan, know what you will do if the fire threatens your property.
Strong winds are expected to continue in the area through until this evening.
UPDATE 4:30pm
There is now no access by road to Nelson Bay because of the Campvale blaze.
The fire has now burnt through around 94 hectares.
If you live in Salt Ash, particularly Salt Ash Avenue, Hideaway Drive and Shady Avenue, it is too late to leave.
RFS crews say properties in these areas could by threatened by the fire.
They’re warning locals to seek shelter and protect yourself from the heat of the fire.
If you are in an emergency situation, please call 000.
UPDATE 4:15pm
A blaze burning along Hospital Road at Weston has now been upgraded to an Emergency level.
The flames are currently burning south-easterly towards Leggetts Drive and Pelaw Main.
Air bombers are working with crews on the ground to stop the fire from spreading.
Residents are being told to seek shelter and keep an eye on the conditions.
Locals should put their bush fire survival plans into action.
There’s also an emergency level blaze currently burning out of control at Campvale, just north of Newcastle Airport.
Stay up to date with the latest: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fires-near-me
UPDATE 3:35pm
The blaze is now burning at an Emergency level.
Fire crews say the flames are moving towards Salt Ash and they could start to threaten properties within the next hour.
Large air tankers are working with firefighters on the ground to control the inferno which has currently burnt through around 94 hectares.
Residents are being warned that it is now too late to leave and they should take shelter, and put their bush fire survival plans into action.
Richardson Road and Medowie Road remain closed.
Stay up to date with the latest: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fires-near-me
Fire crews are currently battling an out of control blaze at Campvale, just north of of Newcastle Airport.
The blaze has burnt through around 8 hectares and is currently at a Watch and Act Level.
Water bombers are now on their way to the scene to help out ground crews, but today’s strong winds are fanning the inferno.
RFS crews say that some of the flames have reached up to 5 metres high.
Thankfully, there is no threat to homes at this stage.
Richardson Road is now closed in both directions between Nelson Bay Road and Grahamstown Road.
Medowie Road is also closed.
For the latest information, visit https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fires-near-me
Images: NSW RFS