We’ll be back in the morning as the firefighting effort in the Hunter continues.

9.01pm – Journalist Michael McGowan has filed this report about residents Leanne and Paul Fray

Leanne and Paul Fray, with their 18-year-old son Ethan, woke up in the early hours of Monday morning to find the fire lapping at the edge of their property, off Medowie Road.

“It was howling through, it was an inferno, we were in bed and just heard the wind start to pick up,” Mr Fray said. 

“It was gnarly … you don’t expect to wake up at midnight and see that,” Ms Fray said. 

8.56pm – Journalist Brodie Owen filed this report on what’s expected tomorrow

VICTORY over the Hunter blaze is still a long way off, with challenging weather conditions on Tuesday expected to again have firefighters under the pump.

Firefighting efforts will be concentrated north of Medowie and west of Swan Bay, where the southern edge of the fire continues to rage.

While wind conditions are expected to be moderate in the morning, an afternoon change of direction, combined with forecast temperatures in the low to mid-30s, could prove challenging.

The Rural Fire Service’s Inspector Ben Shepherd said firefighters were hunkering down for a tough day, even though the fire was downgraded late Monday night thanks to favourable conditions.

“There’s still a lot of work to do,” Inspector Shepherd told the Newcastle Herald.

“They’ve still got to lock in that southern edge of the fire, and once that is done they’ll start to look at the northern parts of the fire because it’s still burning uncontrolled in some remote parts.”

Hundreds of firefighters will be kept at the fire front on Tuesday, with the majority situated near the towns of Medowie and Swan Bay.

The southerly wind change is expected to arrive about 2pm. Its effect on the fire is unpredictable.

Weatherwatch meteorologist David Sercombe expected the southerly to drop the temperature by up to 10 degrees by late-afternoon, but warned a sudden change of direction might widen the fire front.

“The wind change can provide some relief, but it could also complicate things,” he said.

Scattered showers – potentially between five and 10 millimetres – are forecast for Wednesday. 

“We’ll have a rest on Wednesday, and then we’ll get aggressive on Thursday,” Inspector Shepherd said, adding that damage assessment inside the Medowie State Forest would follow.

8.40pm – Lone Pine Fire at Advice level

The Lone Pine Fire has been downgraded from Watch and Act to Advice level.

The fire has burnt a large area of bushland north and south of the Pacific Highway.

Firefighters have today attacked fire activity to the north of Medowie and north of Karuah and Limeburners Creek. Throughout the day crews have used heavy plant equipment to construct containment lines and are continuing to undertake backburning where conditions allow. Water bombing aircraft have assisted firefighters throughout the day.

Firefighters will use easing conditions overnight to their advantage establishing containment lines on the southern and eastern perimeters of the fire.

There are several isolated rural properties in the area along Taylors Road and Pipe Clay Creek Road, north of Medowie. People in this area should continue to monitor conditions overnight and be aware of smoke and embers.

There is also fire activity on the north side of the Karuah River Bridge. Firefighters are continuing to work on containing the fire on the eastern peninsular just north of the bridge. No properties are currently under threat in this area.

People in the area of Karuah, Limeburners Creek, Medowie, Nine Mile Creek and Swan Bay and should continue to monitor the situation overnight and be alert to burning embers. Residents should take advice from firefighters in the area.

There is no immediate threat to the townships of Karuah, North Arm Cove and Carrington.

Medowie Road is currently closed between the Pacific Highway and Federation Drive due to smoke in the area.

The Bucketts Way is currently closed between the Pacific Highway and Limeburners Creek Road.

Advice

5.50pm

The Salvation Army has done its bit to help the hard working firefighters.

5.25pm – evening preparations

Firefighters are preparing for the evening’s battle, in the hope that cooler weather provides more favourable conditions.

The NSW RFS has reported the Lone Pine Fire has now stretched to 8047 ha.

5.20pm – fire danger rating update

Lower Hunter RFS has advised that the fire danger rating for Tuesday, November 8 is very high with permits remaining suspended.

Temperatures expected tomorrow:

Williamtown: 33 degrees, relative humidity 24 per cent, wind WNW 20 - 45km/h

Cessnock: 34 degrees, relative humidity 15 per cent, wind WNW 15 - 35km/h

5.10pm – Aberdare property trapped by fire

An Aberdare family is counting their lucky stars after fire surrounded their home on Saturday afternoon.

Sindy and Raymond Pickering’s home is the only house in the bushland on the opposite side of the railway tracks on Cessnock Street. More here.

5pm – updates on fires across the Hunter

Racecourse Road – Advice level, being controlled

Heaton Road Onley – Advice level, under control

Bingleburra Road, Bingleburra – Advice level, under control

Lone Pine fire – Watch and Act level, out of control

Mt Ebsworth – Advice level, out of control

4.55pm

Can you help stressed wildlife as a result of the bushfires? Call the Port Stephens Koalas rescue line on Call our rescue line 0418 628 483.

The Hunter Valley is currently being affected by bushfires and we have received many enquires about what people can do to help. So here is a list of things YOU can do to help our native wildlife.

1) DO NOT go into fire zones to try and rescue animals it is extremely dangerous. Follow the directions of the NSW Fire Services, NSW RFS and police at all times.

2) Leave shallow water stations around your property, so that animals can access clean drinking water. Take care to add a shallow point in the water containers so our little animals can climb out.

3) Take extra care on the roads, be alert and slow down. Wildlife will be fleeing from the fires and will likely come into contact with busy roads making the risk of collision with cars very high 

4) if you find an injured or orphaned animal please call our hotline on 0418 628 483 or take the animal to your nearest vet

4.45pm 

Pacific Highway update.

4.40pm – Medowie update

There is no evacuation order for Medowie.

Medowie Road is closed at the Kirrang Drive roundabout due to smoke and some roadside fire at the Old Swan Bay Road end.

4.30pm – weather update

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the highest wind gust today in Port Stephens was 44km/h at 12.43pm.

There is still 32 per cent humidity in the air and the wind is coming through in an east north-east direction.

There is a 20 per cent chance of rain tomorrow afternoon in Medowie, increasing to 40 percent in the evening.

4.20pm

Port Stephens MP Kate Washington thanks RFS volunteers for their hard work since Saturday.

4.10pm

Paramedics are supporting their NSW Rural Fire Service and emergency service colleagues on the firefront as multiple bushfires continue to burn in NSW.

4pm – be prepared, have a plan

When firefighters say 'leaving early is your safest option for survival during a bush fire', they mean it. This video is from the Port Stephens fire on Monday. Firefighters were faced with such intense fire activity, they were forced to evacuate. 

WARNING: This video contains offensive language.

This is a timely reminder to all residents, to make sure you have a bush fire survival plan this fire season.

Visit www.myfireplan.com.au for more information.

Maitland City Council has also urged residents to be bushfire ready.

3.45pm – vandals damage Cessnock RFS office

Volunteer firefighters from Cessnock’s Central Rural Fire Brigade thought they would arrive back to a nice cool office on Saturday night after 12 hours battling bushfires.

But the office was steaming hot instead.

The firefighters discovered the building’s air-conditioning unit on top of the building had been kicked in and was no longer working. More here.

3.35pm – road updates

All northbound lanes of the Pacific Highway have reopened at Karuah after emergency repairs due to a bushfire in the area.

Northbound motorists were being diverted onto Tarean Road through the township.

Diversions have been lifted, and traffic through the area is back to normal.

Meanwhile, the following roads remain closed in the following areas due to bushfires:

At Medowie, Medowie Road is closed in both directions between the Pacific Highway and Federation Drive/Kirrang Drive while fire crews strengthen containment lines around a bushfire.

Motorists can use Richardson Road and the Pacific Highway instead.

At Twelve Mile Creek, The Bucketts Way is closed between Limeburners Creek Road and the Pacific Highway.

Motorists can travel via Clarence Town, Seaham and Raymond Terrace instead.

3.30pm – Twelve Mile Creek resident describes the situation on Sunday

Owen Davis who lives on a 10 hectare property at Twelve Mile Creek on the coastal side of the Pacific Highway just north of the Bucketts Way talks to reporter Ian Kirkwood on Sunday.

The Lone Pine fire came through his property on Sunday afternoon, setting fire to a wood shed and other things in his yard, but sparing his house, which was protected by the Rural Fire Service.

3.15pm – updates on fires across the Hunter

Racecourse Road – Advice level, being controlled

Heaton Road Onley – Advice level, under control

Stanford Street, Pelaw Main – Advice level, out of control

Bingleburra Road, Bingleburra – Advice level, under control

Lone Pine fire – Watch and Act level, out of control

Mt Ebsworth – Advice level, out of control

3pm – Work to contain the fire at Medowie

2.40pm –  Current situation near Medowie

Firefighters are continuing to work on a bush fire burning in the area of Karuah, Balickera, Limeburners Creek and Swan Bay. The fire has burnt 6,500ha and is not yet under control.

The fire has burnt a large area of bushland north and south of the Pacific Highway.

Fire activity has increased on the southern edge of the fire, which is to the north of Medowie. Crews are using heavy plant equipment to construct containment lines and may backburn where conditions allow. Residents may see an increase in fire and smoke when backburning operations commence. Firefighters are being assisted by water bombing aircraft in this area.

There are a number of isolated rural properties in the area along Taylors Road and Pipe Clay Creek Road, north of Medowie. People in this area should monitor conditions and be aware of smoke and embers.

There is also fire activity on the north side of the Karuah River Bridge. Firefighters with the assistance of water bombing aircraft are working to contain the fire on the eastern peninsular just north of the bridge. No properties are currently under threat in this area.

Temperatures today with north westerly winds may send the fire towards the communities of Swan Bay and Medowie. People in this area should monitor the situation and be alert to burning embers.

Residents of Limeburners Creek, Karuah, Swan Bay and Nine Mile Creek should continue to monitor the situation and take advice from firefighters in the area.

There is no immediate threat to the townships of Karuah, North Arm Cove and Carrington.

Medowie Road is currently closed between the Pacific Highway and Federation Drive due to smoke in the area.

The Pacific Highway is open, however motorists are advised to use caution when driving through the area as firefighters may be working near the road. Check www.livetraffic.com for updates.

Advice

Enact your bush fire survival plan, if you do not have a plan know what it is you will do if the fire threatens.

2.20pm – Medowie Road is now closed between the Pacific Highway and Federation Drive. The RFS is building a containment line for the existing bushfire.

2.15pm – message from Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon 

Our fire fighters, emergency services personnel, ambos & police are doing a fantastic job. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Stay safe everyone

2.00pm – video updates from Medowie

Can you see smoke from your house? Send your photos and information to jessica.brown@fairfaxmedia.com.au

1.55pm – Ausgrid update

The Cessnock bushfire damaged part of Ausgrid’s network on Sunday, cutting supply for about 2100 customers. Emergency crews worked late into the night to replace a severely damaged pole and two nearby cross arms, so power could be restored to the Wollombi Valley safely.

These photos show the extent of the damage they were dealing with - two poles were burned and 33,000 volt transmission lines were brought down.

1.35pm

An out of control bushfire at Ravenswood Road, Kundabung is now the second fire in NSW to be at Watch and Act level.

The fire is burning to the west of Wortley Road and has burnt across containment lines.

The fire has burnt across containment lines in the area to the west of Wortley Drive at Beranghi. The fire is currently burning to the west of Wortley Drive and is burning in a south-easterly direction. There are a small number of isolated rural properties in the area.

Firefighters are working in the area. They are being assisted by waterbombing aircraft.

People in the area of Wortley Drive should monitor the situation and be alert to burning embers. These embers may start spot fires ahead of the main fire front.

The Pacific Highway is now open. C

Advice

People in the area of Wortley Drive should monitor conditions and be alert to burning embers. These embers may start spot fires ahead of the main fire front.

If the fire impacts on your property, protect yourself from the heat of the fire.

1.30pm – updates of fires across the Hunter

Racecourse Road – Advice level, being controlled

Heaton Road Onley – Advice level, under control

Bingleburra Road, Bingleburra – Advice level, under control

Lone Pine fire – Watch and Act level, out of control

Stroud Hill Road, Nooroo – Advice level, under control

1.05pm – Medowie update from reporter Brodie Owen

Firefighters on Pipeclay Creek Road near Medowie are on standby, preparing themselves in case the blaze suddenly changes direction. 

Wind conditions are good with barely a breeze, but this could change suddenly. Residents are taking no chances.

Fort Zara, who moved to Pipeclay Creek Road just six months ago, said he would leave if the fire came any closer. 

Thick smoke is visible from the man's backyard porch. 

"You've just got to do it," Mr Zara said. 

"One minute the wind is blowing in one direction, and the next it completely changes, so nobody really knows what will happen." 

Mr Zara has many animals, including a litter of new puppies, on his property. 

Firefighters are also burning a containment line between the southern flank of the fire and Medowie Road. 

Flames are visible from Medowie Road. However, firefighters have been assisted by the slow speed of the burn. 

There are about 30 firefighters on Medowie Road building containment lines. 

The wind is beginning to pick up. 

12.50pm

Cessnock Mayor Bob Pynsent has thanked everyone involved in keeping the community safe over the weekend as fire’s broke out across the Hunter.

“It was a challenging couple of days for the entire community as a number of blazes ignited forcing some residents to evacuate their homes,” Cr Pynsent said.

“A huge thank you to the Rural Fire Service and all the emergency services for their tireless work, in the face of tough conditions, especially on Racecourse Road.

“I’d also like to thank everyone who went above and beyond. The Salvation Army for supporting the crews on the ground, the Cessnock Basketball Stadium for opening its doors and the many other local people and businesses who lent a hand.”

12.30pm

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has taken to the airwaves to thank the Hunter’s firefighters as they battle blazes across the East Coast. More here.

12.15pm

Watch the video of a large air tanker dropping a retardant line on the Pacific Highway, south of Karuah. 

11.45am – Racecourse Road and Lone Pine update

The Racecourse Road fire has now burnt about 900 hectares of bushland in the area between Racecourse Road, north of Kitchener and west of Kearsley.

Conditions have eased and there is no immediate threat to properties in the area.

Crews remain on scene and are blacking out burning material and checking on hot spots. They will be assisted by aircraft again.

The Lone Pine fire has burnt a large area of bushland north and south of the Pacific Highway.

Fire activity has increased on the southern edge of the fire, which is to the north of Medowie. Crews are using heavy plant equipment to construct containment lines and may backburn where conditions allow. Residents may see an increase in fire and smoke when backburning operations start.

There are a number of isolated rural properties in the area along Taylors Road and Pipe Clay Creek Road, north of Medowie. People in this area should monitor conditions and be aware of smoke and embers.

Temperatures today are expected to reach the low 30s with north westerly winds. This may send the fire towards Swan Bay and Medowie. People in this area should monitor the situation and be alert to burning embers.

Residents of Limeburners Creek, Karuah, Swan Bay and Nine Mile Creek should continue to monitor the situation and take advice from firefighters in the area.

There is no immediate threat to the townships of Karuah, North Arm Cove and Carrington.

The Pacific Highway is open, however motorists are advised to use caution when driving through the area as firefighters may be working near the road.

11.40am – Medowie update

Winds from the North West and high temperatures mean the fire direction will be trying to move towards Medowie and Swan Bay if it was to break current containment lines.

The fire has been in the Medowie Forest since early Saturday but crews have worked hard overnight establishing containment lines.

Local crews have been working hard through the night to try and contain the Lone Pine fire before conditions worsen today with high temps and strong winds. Back burning, dry firefighting and heavy earth moving machines are being used. Medowie brigade is back out there this morning with many other local brigades.

11.35am 

11.30am – Racecourse Road

Here’s a picture of the Racecourse Road fire, which is being controlled and is still on advice level.

11.15am – Ravensworth fire update

Rural Fire Service crews are extinguishing a grass fire along the New England Highway, near Hebden Road. The road is not closed, but motorists are advised to exercise caution.

11.10am – Lone Pine fire update

Fire activity has increased in the area of Taylors Road and Pipe Clay Creek Road, north of Medowie. There are isolated rural properties in the area. People in this area should monitor conditions and be aware of smoke and embers.

The fire has now burnt about 6500 hectares.

Residents of Limeburners Creek, Karuah, Swan Bay and Nine Mile Creek should continue to monitor the situation and take advice from firefighters in the area.

The threat to North Arm Cove and Carrington has eased.

The north westerly winds may push the fire towards Swan Bay and Medowie.

11.05am – water bombing at Port Stephens on Monday morning

11.00am – fires throughout the Hunter

Hedon Greta fire – Advice level, under control

Racecourse Road – Advice level, being controlled

Heaton Road Onley – Advice level, under control

Macquarie Road, Fennell Bay – Advice level, under control

Sauls Road, Mandalong – Advice level, under control

Bushells Ridge Road, Wyee – Advice level, under control

New England Highway, Ravensworth – Advice level, out of control

Bingleburra Road, Bingleburra – Advice level, out of control

Wallaringa Road, Wallaringa – Advice level, under control

Lone Pine fire – Watch and Act level, out of control

Stroud Hill Road, Nooroo – Advice level, under control

9.10am

8.45am – weather forecast

Temperatures are expected to reach 33 degrees in Cessnock today with northwesterly winds between 15 to 25 km/h becoming light in the late evening. The fire danger is very high.

The mercury is expected to reach 33 degrees in Port Stephens today with those same northwesterly winds between 15 to 25 km/h and becoming lighter in the late evening. There’s a very high fire danger in the Port Stephens area.

8.35am – Lone Pine Road fire

Residents of Limeburners Creek, Karuah, Swan Bay and Nine Mile Creek should continue to monitor the situation and take advice from firefighters in the area.

The threat to North Arm Cove and Carrington has eased and at this point the fire is no longer expected to affect these communities.

Temperatures today are expected to reach the low 30s with north westerly winds. This may push the fire towards the communities of Swan Bay and Medowie.

The Pacific Highway is open, however motorists are advised to use caution when driving through the area as firefighters may be working near the road. 

NSW RFS advice:

8.30am – Racecourse Road fire

The Racecourse Road, Cessnock fire has burnt about 900 hectares of bushland between Racecourse Road, north of Kitchener and west of Kearsley.

Conditions eased overnight, which allowed firefighters to conduct backburning operations.

There is no immediate threat to homes.

Crews remain on scene and are blacking out burning material and checking on hot spots.

They will be assisted by aircraft again today.

Temperatures today are expected to reach the low 30s, with high humidity and winds which may increase the fire activity and smoke.

Local schools with the exception of Kitchener Public School will be open today. Kitchener Public School will be closed for the safety of staff and students.

NSW RFS advice: 

7.33am

The Lone Pine fire remains at watch and act and is not yet contained. Is is the only fire in the state at this level.

Crews have, however, been working hard through the night backburning and establishing containment lines. There is some 100km of fire edge that needs to be contained. This fire has grown to over 6500ha.

Crews will continue working throughout the day.

The Bucketts Way between Limeburners Creek Road and the Pacific Highway remains closed. Please avoid the area.

6.30am

Calmer conditions on Sunday night were a blessing for firefighters battling blazes in the Hunter.

The cooler conditions allowed firefighters to back burn and set up containment lines around the Lone Pine fire, which although still burning, has been downgraded to Watch and Act.

However, NSW RFS spokesperson John Redman said today they were in for another very warm day, with high humidity and winds. NSW RFS will get an aircraft out this morning to check the extent of the damage.

The weather is expected to deteriorate today with winds of up to 25km/h expected and the mercury reaching up to 33 degrees.

“It’s a pretty amazing effort that no properties were lost,” Mr Redman said.

The Racecourse Road fire in Cessnock has remained at an Advice level and is being controlled by fire crews.