NSW fires: Emergency warning for Port Stephens, Cessnock as crews battle bushfires across the state

Firefighters are working to manage more than 50 fires across NSW, as their focus turns to blazes in Port Stephens and Cessnock in the Hunter region where emergency warnings have been issued.

Firefighters are working to contain the Cessnock fire, which is burning in bushland around the towns of Kitchener, Kearsley and Abedare.The fire jumped a containment line at Kitchener at about 3:00pm, moving within metres of homes.

Authorities have told residents of Abernethy and Kitchener told to shelter in place, as it is now too late to leave.

Kearsley residents have been advised to monitor the situation

Port Stephens fire closing in on Karuah

The Port Stephens fire is closing in on the township of Karuah and has jumped the Karuah river in two places.

Hundreds of firefighters are working to control the blaze and water-bombing aircraft have joined the battle.

The Pacific Highway has been closed in both directions between Bulahdelah and Twelve Mile Creek

Residents in the Karuah township have been told to shelter in place, and firefighters are assessing some rural properties in the area.

“If people have a home that is defendable then obviously making sure your gutters are clear, removing combustibles from around your home, having a hose that will go right around your property,” NSW Rural Fire Service deputy commissioner Rob Rogers said.

“If people are uncomfortable and don’t feel safe where they are they should leave now while they still can, but those people in Karuah we’re saying shelter in place, don’t try to leave now because we can’t guarantee their safety travelling on the roads in that immediate area right now.RFS spokesman inspector Ben Shepherd said there was significant risk to properties.

“Obviously we will see homes in this general area come under threat,” he said.

Commissioner Rogers told ABC News 24 winds were currently gusting up to 50 kilometres an hour but they are expected to drop off later this afternoon.

He said the Pacific Highway would likely be closed for some time.

“We’re doing our best, we understand it’s Sunday afternoon and people want to get home but their safety is our number one priority,” Commissioner Rogers said.

The fires threatened properties and forced evacuations yesterday.

Residents prepare for the worst

PHOTO: A fire at Port Stephens is threatening homes. (Twitter: Joshua Drake)

Fire crews spent the night fighting dozens of bushfires across the state.

There are 52 fires across NSW with 17 of them yet to be contained.

A watch and act is in place for a fire at Cessnock, where a thick blanket of smoke is hanging over the area.

Crews are back burning around the towns of Kitchener, Kearsley and Abedare and residents are out in force preparing their properties for the worst.

Crews yesterday managed to contain a blaze at Castle Cove, on Sydney’s lower north shore, that threatened a number of homes.

Firefighters are yet to pinpoint the cause of a fire that began in a car wrecking yard at Revesby, near Bankstown, destroyed two buildings and caused the evacuation of nearby businesses and homes before it was brought under control.

A man was hospitalised with burns to his arms while two people were treated for smoke inhalation.

Superintendent Paul Johnson said crews remained on the site overnight.

“As we got these cars stacked on top of each other it was quite hard to get all our hose lines onto all the fires that would have been protected by either building or other cars,” he said.

PHOTO: The fire was very volatile because of the strong winds and high fuel load at the car yard. (Twitter: @FRNSW)

Teens whose campfire caused bushfire ‘did not act maliciously’

Police arrested two teenage boys yesterday after they lit a fire that spread out of control on the mid north Coast.

Just after midday, the two 16-year-olds lit a camp fire at Shoal Bay near Port Stephens, while a total fire ban was in place.

RFS were called after the fire spread uncontrollably into neighbouring bushland.

The boys were spotted moving away from the fire by two members of the public who detained them until police arrived.

Police said the boys did not act with malicious intent and would be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act abc news