Hundreds of firefighters will be working across the Hunter tonight, battling 14 blazes, including the Lone Pine fire and the Racecourse Road Fire at Cessnock. 

On Sunday evening, the two fires alone had already razed over 7500 hectares of bushland across the region and had caused some damage to property, although the exact toll was unclear. 

Firefighters have been praised for their tireless work throughout the day. It is thanks to their efforts that the townships of Karuah, Limeburners Creek, Kitchener and Abernethy were spared from the fire’s fury. 

Calm conditions are expected overnight, but the temperatures will pick up again tomorrow and blustery winds are forecast. The threat has not passed, according to the Rural Fire Service. 

That’s it for tonight but we will have a full wrap of the weekend’s events in tomorrow’s Newcastle Herald. 

8:30pm:

For those wanting to use the Pacific Highway, you are back in business. But closures still in place at Tarean Road and The Bucketts Way. 

7pm:

An extraordinary effort by fire crews has seen Limeburners Creek emerge virtually unscathed, after the fire front charged in its direction this evening. 

Paul Best from the Lower Hunter Fire Control Centre tells us he has just been advised from the scene that firefighters have managed to save all homes in the village. 

“It was a really hard fight but a great result,” he said.

The Racecourse Road fire at Cessnock has also dropped back to ‘Advice’ status. 

“We are not out of the woods by any stretch of the imagination, but certainly the situation is a lot better than a few hours ago,” he said. 

6:45pm:

Some good news tonight, with the Lone Pine fire just downgraded to Watch and Act. 

Easing conditions have assisted crews, who are now fighting the blaze on the northern side of Karuah near the township of Limeburners Creek. 

People in Limeburners Creek, Karuah, Swan Bay, North Arm Cove, Nine Mile Creek and Carrington should all continue to monitor the situation and take advice from firefighters on the ground.  

The Pacific Highway remains closed.

6:26pm:

Diversions have been lifted at Kearsley. 

6:05pm: 

For parents around Cessnock – local schools will be open tomorrow, except for Kitchener Public School, which will be closed for the safety of staff and students.

6pm:

The biggest concern this evening is for the village of Limeburners Creek, which has a population of just over 300 people and is just west of the Bucketts Way. 

It narrowly escaped the fire front yesterday but the blaze has had a second go this evening, driven by a south westerly change. 

Residents are being told to shelter in place as the fire front hits. 

Residents of North Arm Cove and Carrington are also being told to monitor the situation. 

5:50pm: 

An update for drivers in the Kearsley area. 

5:35pm: “It was a near miss” 

Our reporter at the Lone Pine fire, Ian Kirkwood, has confirmed that there have been property losses on the southern outskirts of Karuah, east of the Pacific Highway. 

While no homes were taken, several outbuildings and sheds have been destroyed – and a tyre on the Herald car. 

5:30pm:

We’ve had word from the Karuah and District RSL Club, where club supervisor Wayne Patterson has been since early this morning. 

He tells us most of the town appears to have pulled through okay. 

“The fire hasn’t affected the town itself, but because we’re surrounded by fire, we’re all locked in,” he said. 

“People have been stuck here and they’ve had nowhere else to go. A bus of tourists ended up stranded in town, but I think they’ve enjoyed themselves.” 

Meanwhile, this video was taken by Herald photographer Marina Neil of the Lone Pine fire, looking out from the shore at Karuah. 

5:25pm:

Word has come through from the Rural Fire Service that the Racecourse Road fire at Cessnock is at Watch and Act status. 

A south westerly change has moved across the fire ground, however the fire is still burning behind the areas of Abernethy and Kitchener.

Residents in those areas are advised to monitor the conditions and take advice from firefighters on the ground.

Kearsley residents are also advised to continue to monitor the situation.

5:15pm:

Bushfire near Cessnock has cut power to about 1350 customers in parts of Ellalong, Paxton, Millfield and surrounding areas. Ausgrid crews working to inspect transmission lines and restore when safe. 

5:08pm:

The Cessnock fire appears to have been downgraded to “Advice” level, but we are still waiting for a full update on the situation there from the Rural Fire Service. 

In the meantime, this photo was taken by Herald photographer Marina Neil who is stationed at Karuah. 

4:45pm:

For people trying to get back to Newcastle from the Foster/Tuncurry area, Facebook user Kylie Ambrose has this advice:

“We just got back to Newcastle from Tuncurry. We avoided the Pacific Hwy by going out to Gloucester, then Dungog, then Clarence Town, then Newcastle. Only added an hour to our trip and we are safely home.”

4:40pm: 

Some more photos out of Cessnock. 

Racecourse Road fire, taken by Felicity Robbs.

Both the Lone Pine fire and Cessnock fire remain at Emergency warning status. 

4:32pm:

Locals in Tanilba Bay are taking to the water to escape the heat and smoke. 

These haunting shots taken by Herald reader Ben Adams. 

4:13pm

The fire near Karuah has cut the Pacific Highway and continues to burn out of control on the northern side of the township.

A south-westerly change has moved across the fire ground in a northerly direction towards Limeburners Creek.

Crews are in the area and large air tankers are being sent to help firefighters on the ground.

Residents of Karuah and Swan Bay are advised to monitor the situation closely and take advice from firefighters on the ground.

Residents of North Arm Cove and Carrington should continue to monitor the situation.

Residents of Nine Mile Creek Road and Nine Mile Creek are advised that firefighters are in the area and to take advice from those on the ground.

The Pacific Highway remains closed.

Residents are warned to be alert to burning embers.

3:50pm

This image was taken from in Kearsley on Sunday afternoon. Residents there are advised to continue to monitor the situation.

3:30pm

These images by Chris Hunt from Quorrobolong reveal the worsening situation in the Hunter Valley. His aerial photographs, taken on Saturday and again on Sunday, demonstrate how big the challenge facing firefighters is.

The Cessnock fire on Saturday.

And on Sunday.

3:10pm

Firefighters battling the Racecourse Road fire in the Cessnock area are being supported by aircraft. 

Due to strengthening of winds and an increase in fire activity, crews have stressed that it is now too late to leave for people in Abernethy and Kitchener and residents should shelter in place.

2:55pm

Another traffic update from our reporter at the Lone Pine fire, Ian Kirkwood. Medowie Road has been closed heading towards the Pacific Highway. 

2:45pm:

According to the Transport Management Centre, there are reports of gridlock on the Pacific Highway approaching Bulahdelah from the north. 

It appears to be a similar situation to what we had at Karuah earlier in the day, where the town reached capacity as drivers attempted to travel as far south as possible before they reached long queues and road blocks. 

Drivers are still advised to avoid all non-essential travel, and if they are already on the road heading south, to stop at Taree or to take the Oxley Highway at Port Macquarie so they can link up with the New England Highway. 

Road closures will be updated as they happen on this website: https://www.livetraffic.com/desktop.html

2:38pm:

A shot of the Racecourse Road, Cessnock fire by Maitland Mercury reporter Perry Duffin. 

2:25pm:

An emergency warning has just been issued for residents in the Abernethy and Kitchener areas. 

An emergency alert message is being sent to phones in the area.

Because of strengthening winds and an increase in fire activity, residents are being advised it is too late to leave and they should shelter in place. 

Kearsley residents are advised to continue to monitor the situation.

2:20pm:

Tough conditions for fire crews in Swan Bay. 

Images from Herald reporter Ian Kirkwood.

2:15pm:

Herald photographer Marina Neil is on the ground in Karuah. Looking west towards the Pacific Highway.

1:55pm:

Authorities are stressing that people should not leave their homes if they are in Swan Bay, after rumours circulated that people were being evacuated this afternoon.

The confusion is believed to have stemmed from a resident who received a phone call from someone claiming to be from the Rural Fire Service and telling them to evacuate.

“It’s very disappointing if that’s the case,” a spokesperson said. 

“There are definitely no evacuations in Swan Bay. People should absolutely be staying where they are. It is too dangerous to be out on the road at the moment.” 

The fire is now burning on the eastern side of the Karuah River and firefighters are waiting for a southerly change that could cause it to head back towards Limeburners Creek. 

At Cessnock, there have been some significant flare-ups this afternoon as the fire has reached unburnt vegetation. 

1:40pm: 

Some more photos rolling in from our reporter Ian Kirkwood, who is on the ground near Nine Mile Creek. 

Spot fires near Nine Mile Creek. 

Spot fires blacken vegetation. 

View from the Seaham Road turnoff. 

1:31pm:

Many drivers now marooned in Buladelah as they wait for the Pacific Highway to reopen. 

They could be in for a long wait. But it’s a nice day for it. 

1:30pm

Some more details on the situation at Karuah as it unfolds: 

-A change in wind direction is expected this afternoon between 3pm and 4pm. This change will push the fire towards Limeburners Creek.

-Residents of Limeburners Creek, Swan Bay, North Arm Cove and Carrington are advised to monitor the situation closely.

-Residents of Nine Mile Creek Road and Nine Mile Creek are advised that firefighters are in the area and to take advice from those firefighters on the ground.

-Residents of Karuah are advised to shelter in place as the fire front approaches.

1:25pm:

There’s a chaotic situation on the roads with the Lone Pine fire forcing the closure of the Pacific Highway between Italia Road near Twelve Mile Creek and Bulahdelah. 

People are being urged to delay their travel unless absolutely necessary or to divert away from the Pacific Highway. 

For those headed southbound, they can divert onto the Oxley Highway at Port Macquarie and then link up with the New England Highway to take them back towards Newcastle. 

People heading northbound can divert onto the New England Highway at Beresfield. 

Be aware these diversions look set to add about an hour or more to your trip. 

The Bucketts Way is also still closed between Limeburners Creek Road and the Pacific Highway in Twelve Mile Creek. If you’re travelling to Raymond Terrace you can divert via Clarence Town and Seaham. 

Transport Management Centre spokesperson Rebecca Walsh said the closure point on the Pacific Highway had to be shifted north as far up as Buladelah earlier today. 

“What was happening was a lot of people were continuing to head south all the way down to the township of Karuah where they were stopped, and the town became completely full,” she said. 

“That wasn’t a great option when emergency services needed to get through. We don’t want people to use back roads in a situation like a bushfire because it change so rapidly.” 

She said a lot of people were asking when the road would re-open. 

“Unfortunately that’s impossible to predict. But we’re looking at a fairly protracted closure.” 

12:55pm: 

An update on the situation at Karuah from the Rural Fire Service. 

The fire has cut the Pacific Highway and is burning on the northern side of the township of Karuah.

The fire has spotted over the Karuah River and firefighters are in the area with the assistance of aircraft trying to extinguish these spots.

Residents of Karuah are advised to shelter in place as the fire front approaches.

Residents of Nine Mile Creek Road and Nine Mile Creek are advised that firefighters are in the area and to take advice from those firefighters on the ground.

Residents of Limeburners Creek, Swan Bay and North Arm Cove are advised to monitor the situation closely.

12.35pm:

Newcastle Herald reporter Ian Kirkwood is on the way to the fire ground at Lone Pine. 

Pictures of the smoke plume from the Hexham Bridge.

12:15

This Linescan image from the Rural Fire Service gives you an idea of the scale of the Lone Pine fire. 

12:10: 

Live vision from the Cessnock fire thanks to the Maitland Mercury. 

12:05: CESSNOCK FIRE UPGRADED

After a quiet morning, the Racecourse Rd fire at Cessnock has been upgraded to Watch and Act due to strengthening winds and an increase in fire activity. 

Residents of Kitchener and Kearsley are advised they may be impacted by smoke and embers.

Residents along Quorrobolong Road are advised they may be affected by fire.

Residents are advised to continue to monitor the situation.

11:55: Accidental fire at Shoal Bay 

People are being reminded about the dangers of lighting fires during total fire bans, after two teenagers appear to have accidentally ignited a small bushfire on the Shoal Bay peninsular on Saturday afternoon.

Two members of the public performed a citizens arrest after they spotted the 16-year-olds leaving the scene of the fire in Lighthouse Reserve at about 1pm. 

The fire began to spread uncontrollably in the hot conditions but was quickly extinguished by firefighters. It burnt out about an acre of bushland.  

The boys were arrested by police and taken to Nelson Bay Police Station where their parents were contacted. 

Officers determined the boys had lit a camp fire during a total fire ban which subsequently spread out of control. However it is not believed they had malicious intent.

The boys will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act

11:25: 

The main fire front is now moving in an easterly direction towards Karuah, and could reach properties on the northern side of the township within the hour.

Rural Fire Service Inspector Ben Shepherd has stressed that it is too late for residents there to leave their properties, and they should shelter in place as the fire arrives. 

“We have already seen spot fires ahead of the main fire front,” he said. 

“The last thing we want is a whole lot of people trying to travel up Tarean Road.” 

There are about 80 firefighters on the ground, being supported by fire trucks and water bombing aircraft. 

The fire is continuing to move alongside the Pacific Highway, to the west of people in Swan Bay. 

There is currently no threat to that area but residents are being advised to monitor conditions and to start enacting their bushfire survival plans. 

“We have seen over the course of the morning things start to warm up and winds starting to pick up,” Inspector Shepherd said. 

“There has been an increase in fire activity, but conditions are still not as bad as yesterday.” 

11:05: Emergency warning issued for Karuah 

The Lone Pine fire has just hit emergency warning level as the fire front approaches the township of Karuah. 

Residents are advised to shelter in place and enact their bushfire survival plans. 

If you do not have a plan, make sure you know what you and your family will do if the fire threatens. Be alert to burning embers. 

The fire has crossed the Pacific Highway near Tarean Rd and is moving in an easterly direction towards Scotts Road. 

Residents of Limeburners Creek and Swan Bay are advised to monitor the situation closely.

10:55: 

We’ve just checked in with Wayne Patterson, club supervisor at the Karuah and District RSL, which is usually the designated evacuation centre for the town in times of emergency. 

Staff joke that people usually make a beeline for the club because it offers the best phone reception in Karuah. 

Mr Patterson said the mood was calm, aside from traffic chaos on Karuah’s main road leading south out of the town, which has been blocked off. 

“They’re queued up over the bridge,” he said. “We’re just telling people to park in the car park and put their feet up and relax. 

“Have a cold drink and wait for the fire to go past,” he said with a chuckle. 

“We can see a very dark plume of smoke but the north-westerly wind seems to be keeping it away from the town itself.” 

10:40:

Former editor of the Newcastle Herald Chad Watson has the latest on the situation in Heddon Greta, after a third fire sparked there late yesterday afternoon:

“Houses were under threat last night at Heddon Greta. Reports said a house was taken. But firefighters on the scene said only a down pipe was damaged,” he said.

10:30: 

Winds have started to pick up in the Cessnock area, according to Weatherzone Meteorologist Kim Westcott. 

They are now gusting up to 37 kilometres an hour in a north westerly direction until a southerly change moves in from around midday. 

Temperatures are expected to climb to up to 29 degrees on the fire ground at Cessnock today, while firefighters battling the Lone Pine fire will be contending with temperatures of up to 27 degrees and similar gusty winds. 

Conditions are dry – with humidity of around 25 to 30 per cent – and the winds are not expected to ease until this evening. 

9:45am:

View of the Port Stephens fire from the air this morning. 

9:30am: 

Welcome to day two of the Herald’s rolling coverage of the Hunter’s bushfire situation. 

There was mixed news for firefighters on Sunday morning, with calm conditions at the fire ground at Cessnock. However the ‘Lone Pine’ fire, which is north of Port Stephens, appears to have flared up again. 

The situation as it stands: 

-The ‘Lone Pine’ fire has already razed more than 500 hectares of bushland, yesterday spreading from the Balickera area north-west towards Limeburners Creek, also burning in the Wallaroo State Forest and Karuah National Park. 

This morning the fire appears to have changed direction, jumping the Pacific Highway and burning in the direction of Karuah and Swan Bay. 

There are a number of fire crews in and around those areas and a very large air tanker and large air tanker are on their way to assist. 

People are being warned to be vigilant for ember attack and to follow the directions of emergency services. 

Crews conducted back-burning overnight. They will be assessing the success of those back-burns and identifying further containment options this morning. 

There may be an increase in fire activity today as temperatures increase.

-The Cessnock fire has been burning in bushland around Aberdare, Kearsley and Kitchener. 

Overnight fire activity was quiet across the fireground. This enabled crews to start back-burning in a number of areas in an effort to start controlling the fire.

This morning crews will assess the success of these burns and identify containment lines.

Building Impact Assessment teams will be on the fireground today to assess any property that has been damaged as a result of the fire.

Currently there is no property at threat however residents are advised to continue to monitor the situation.