Fire crews continue to battle 60 bushfires across NSW Hunter region
Fire crews in the NSW Hunter region and further north near Port Stephens are expected to continue fighting 60 fires bushfires today as temperatures are expected to reach 32 degrees.
The blaze is burning in the area of Karuah, Balickera, Limeburners Creek and Swan Bay, and has burnt 6,500 hectares.
The NSW Rural Fire Service Inspector Ben Shepherd said 18 fires out of 60 were still out of control on Sunday evening.
NSW Rural Firefighters take part in a controlled burn along the Pacific Highway at Swan Bay in Port Stephens. Photo: AAP
Hundreds of firefighters have worked to control the blaze at Karuah. Photo: Facebook/Ingleside Rural Fire Brigade
Conditions have eased in Port Stephens and the RFS downgraded their advice to watch and act.
The Pacific Highway has reopened and motorists have been asked to use caution with firefighters in the area.
Residents in the Cessnock suburbs of Kitchener and Abernethy and those at Karuah near Lone Pine were under threat for most of Sunday as fires and they required 1,200 firefighters between them.
Conditions have eased in Port Stephens and the RFS downgraded their advice to watch and act. Photo: AAP/Dan Himbrechts
Conditions have eased and the RFS downgraded their advice to watch and act. Photo: Supplied
Hot, dry weather expected Monday and Tuesday could force firefighters to work through to Wednesday, Inspector Shepherd said.
No injuries were reported, but there were unconfirmed reports of property damage.
Earlier, RFS spokesman Paul Best told media a strike force had been brought in to protect properties.
"There was what we call a strike team positioned all through Limeburners Creek and they were able to fight that fire as it came out into grassland there," he said.
