7.45PM: One last update for the evening.
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The Hunter Expressway has re-opened as firefighting efforts continue at Kurri Kurri.
Smoke remains a hazard, so drivers are urged to remain cautious and allow extra travel time.
The Coalfields fire has also been downgraded again to the Advice level, which indicates there is no immediate danger.
At Barnsley, a bushfire that devoured about 31 hectares is being controlled. It is also listed as at the Advice level.
Residents are urged to avoid complacency despite the downgraded alerts, with the potential for circumstances to change quickly.
6PM: That’s it from our live blog – full stories at our website soon.
The Kurri Kurri fire has been downgraded from Emergency to Watch to Act, a significant reduction although the risk has not entirely passed.
Ausgird also confirms power is back on at Cliftleigh, Kurri Kurri and other areas after the bushfires torched power poles and lines through the area.
More than 250 firefighters continue to work at extinguishing the blaze, that threatened homes but does not appear to have claimed any residences.
Thanks for reading – we’ll keep you informed if the risk rises again.
5.50PM: Karen Matthews shared this video from the Kurri Kurri TAFE campus:
Heddon Greta Drive-in remains shut tonight.
“The drive-in itself is not affected but there are road closures and we don't want to interfere with the free flow of RFS and Fire & Rescue vehicles,” the company told its followers on social media.
Here’s an update from the Rural Fire Service about the 60 people who took shelter there:
5.45PM: BRODIE OWEN
THE immediate threat in Kurri Kurri has eased, with the emergency taking a turn for the better after a welcome dumping of rain.
The bushfire had raged on multiple fronts as residents sought shelter in many areas - particularly Old Maitland Road, Sawyers Gully Road and Northcote Street.
Those areas are several kilometres apart but bushland is wedged between them, limiting access.
The wind’s regular direction changes kept firefighters scrambling from one location to the next.
Several water-bombing aircraft helped their efforts.
Shortly before 6pm the fire was downgraded to Watch and Act alert level from Emergency, the highest.
250 firefighters are still working to bring it to heel.
Sawyers Gully Road resident Justin King watched the ordeal unfold from his front yard.
As he spoke to the Herald, a water-bombing helicopter was extracting water from the dam on his property.
"It is going in all different directions - we've been told just to wait here and watch," Mr King said.
"The firies have it pretty well under control.
"You hope this wasn't deliberately lit. Who would do such a thing?"
Firefighters were being sent to different locations for "intelligence gathering" as they work out a way to extinguish the fire.
Motocross superstar Chad Reed also sent his wishes back to his home town, sharing a video of a water-bombing helicopter dipping into his parents’ dam.
5.40PM: Good news – both the Heddon Greta and Kurri Kurri fires have been downgraded to Watch and Act.
While this means they remain serious and conditions can change quickly, it is a promising sign from firefighters.
Watch and Act means there is a heightened level of threat. The RFS explains the alert: “Conditions are changing and you need to start taking action now to protect you and your family.”
The Rural Fire Service estimates the Heddon Greta and Kurri Kurri fires have scorched 650 hectares.
5.30PM: While Wednesday offered firefighters little respite as bushfires began sparking, the rest of the week looks more inviting.
Weather conditions are expected to ease tomorrow (25 degrees, possible showers in Cessnock) before a possible thunderstorm on Friday.
5.15PM: Anecdotal report the 60 people who sheltered at Kurri Kurri TAFE are safe and leaving since the fire turned north:
5PM: More than 130 firefighters are working in the Kurri Kurri area.
Ausgrid reports about 800 properties at Cliftleigh and Loxford have lost power.
Separately, smoke from the Northville Drive fire near Barnsley is hindering visibility on the M1.
The issue is near O’Donnelltown Road.
4.55PM: An out of control bushfire has emerged at Barnsley.
Fire crews are battling the fire near Northville Drive, which is rated at a Watch and Act level.
This indicates a heightened level of threat with changing conditions.
The RFS recommends when a fire is rated Watch and Act “you need to start taking action now to protect you and your family.”
The fire at Summerhill waste depot is growing due to wind, Fire and Rescue NSW reports, but there is no danger to property.
Twitter’s @bigmattandshell shared these shots of the Phoenix Park grass fire from the air:
4.50PM: To recap so far:
Two major fires continue to burn at Kurri Kurri and Heddon Greta.
Emergency warnings have been issued for both.
A southerly that arrived late in the afternoon has pushed both fires north towards Wentworth Swamp and relieved pressure on firefighters working to protect property at Heddon Greta.
Firefighters also received a welcome dash of rain.
The Hunter Expressway is shut between Branxton and Buchanan as one of the fires, the Harts Road blaze, moves towards the freeway and Sawyers Gully Road.
Residents in Sawyers Gully, Bishops Bridge, Loxford, Heddon Greta, Cliftleigh and Gillieston Heights are urged to monitor conditions and follow the directions of firefighters.
The Rural Fire Service said shortly after 4.30pm there were unconfirmed reports of property destroyed.
Home owners and workers have been fighting spot fires around the region as water-bombing continues.
Heddon Greta resident Phil Parrey said he saw thick black smoke about 100 metres from his Trenchard Road early on Wednesday afternoon.
"In less than five minutes it was on top of us,'' Mr Parrey said.
"I think we were lucky there was not as much bush, it was not as thick as what it has been.''
He said residents worked to put out spot fires and protect their homes as the 10-metre flames licked their properties.
All homes were saved.
Kurri Kurri’s Lachlan Bromage watched the fire approach his opposite neighbours’ back fences from his Acacia Street property.
“We started hosing down still because there was a lot of ash,” he said.
“I was more worried about the houses across the street.”
Mr Bromage said he had gone to assist some elderly neighbours when he was unable to tell how close the fire came to their property.
He estimated the flames came within 100 metres of the quiet street backing onto bushland.
“It’s still roaring over there near the TAFE,” he said.
“[In Kurri Kurri] it’s just the heat, you get almost 40 degrees and you can almost bet there will be a fire.”
Mr Bromage said it was frustrating to watch people from outside the area flood in when the fires emerged from the bushland to threaten the Coalfields towns.
“You aren’t helping anyone,” he said.
“All you’re going to to do is get in the way of fire trucks.”
4.45PM:
4.40PM:
The RFS says there are unconfirmed reports of properties being destroyed.
Rain has fallen over some parts of Kurri Kurri and Heddon Greta as firefighters continue to battle two major blazes.
4.35PM:
4.30PM:
Fire crews have been protecting about 60 people who took shelter at the Kurri Kurri TAFE campus.
The bushfire was licking at the campus but Fire and Rescue NSW reports everyone is safe.
The weather also seems to have swung behind the firefighting effort.
4.25PM: Houses are being impacted on Old Maitland Road as the Hart Road fire shifts north.
The RFS reports that fire is burning along Sawyers Gully Road, the Hunter Expressway and towards Wentworth Swamp.
The Mcleod Road fire is also being pushed north towards the swamp.
Here’s the latest picture of the firegrounds from the Rural Fire Service:
4.20PM: The southerly change’s arrival, as seen from Windella.
4.05PM: Matt Carr:
Kurri Kurri’s Lachlan Bromage watched the fire approach his neighbours from his Acacia Street property.
“We started hosing down still because a lot of ash,” he said.
“I was more worried about the houses across the street.”
Mr Bromage said he had gone to assist some elderly neighbours when he was unable to tell how close the fire came to their property.
He estimated the flames came within 100 metres of the quiet street backing onto bushland.
“It’s still roaring over there near the TAFE,” he said.
“[In Kurri Kurri] it’s just the heat, you get almost 40 degrees and you can almost bet there will be a fire.”
Mr Bromage said it was frustrating to watch people from outside the area flood in when the fires rose.
“You aren’t helping anyone,” he said.
“All you’re going to to do is get in the way of fire trucks.”
4PM: From Brodie Owen:
3.55: NSW Rural Fire Service strike teams from Sydney and the Central Coast are heading to the Hunter to assist with bushfires.
The primary dangers remain at Kurri Kurri and Heddon Greta but other fires are emerging across the Hunter.
Firefighters are tackling a fire on Cabbage Tree Road, Tomago and an out of control grass fire is underway at McFaydens Road, Phoenix Park.
3.50PM: The Newcastle Herald’s Brodie Owen reports the main threat to Northcote Street has eased.
Emergency warnings remain in place for both bushfires.
3.45PM: Here’s a glimpse at exactly where the fires are.
3.40PM: The Hunter Expressway is shut due to fire and smoke.
3.35PM: DAN PROUDMAN REPORTS: Heddon Greta resident Phil Parrey said he saw thick black smoke about 100 metres from his Trenchard Road early on Wednesday afternoon.
"In less than five minutes it was on top of us,'' Mr Parrey said.
"I think we were lucky there was not as much bush, it was not as thick as what it has been.''
He said residents worked to put out spot fires and protect their homes as the 10-metre flames licked their properties.
All homes were saved.
3.30PM: Properties are under threat at Mcleod Road, NSW Rural Fire Service said.
Emergency alert phone messages have been sent to Heddon Greta residents.
A southerly change due across the firegrounds may push the blazes north.
3.25PM: The fire has reached Cox Bros Timber Yard in James Street, Kurri Kurri.
Crews are on scene battling fire sparking in timber in the yard.
3.20PM: Emergency warnings are now in place for two fires – one near Mcleod Road at Kurri Kurri, and the other near Hart Road.
The NSW Rural Fire Service said the fire near Mcleod Road was “being pushed in a south easterly direction towards Heddon Greta.”
Residents are urged to seek shelter as the fire arrives and protect themselves from the heat of the fire.
At Hart Road, a grass fire is moving towards Northcote Street.
3PM: An emergency warning is in place for the fire at Weston for residents on the Kurri Kurri edge of the blaze.
The fire is burning near Hart Road at Weston is moving towards Kurri Kurri, specifically Northcote Street.
Crews are now fighting blazes at Loxford, Weston, Kurri Kurri and Heddon Greta.
A separate blaze near McLeod Road is burning towards Main Road.
Crews are working to slow the spread of the fires.
Water-bombing aircraft are also on scene.
Residents are urged to monitor conditions.
If the fire impacts on your property, seek shelter as the fire arrives. Protect yourself from the heat of the fire.
Check and follow your Bush Fire Survival Plan. If you do not have a plan, decide what you will do if the situation changes. Leaving early is your safest option.
The Hunter Expressway remains shut, with motorists urged to avoid the area and use the New England Highway instead.
Westbound motorists already on the Hunter Expressway are being diverted onto Main Road in Heddon Greta.
While, eastbound motorists are being diverted onto Wine Country Drive in Branxton.
Traffic on the Expressway is heavy, so motorists are advised to allow additional travel time and exercise caution due to the smoke in the area.
Cessnock Advertiser reporter Krystal Sellars sent this photo from Testers Hollow.
Update 2.55pm:
The Hunter Expressway is shut in both directions between Main Road and Hart Road.
Reader Sam Burns sent in this video of the fire’s early stages.
Instagram’s @conor_wade22 also shared this footage:
Update 2.50pm
Lower Hunter Rural Fire Service said the Loxford fire is spotting and moving fast.
A spokesperson said residents in the area of Mitchell Street need to be aware and keep an eye on the situation.
INITIAL REPORT
A bush fire has broken out at Mitchell Avenue, Loxford, near Kurri Kurri on Wednesday afternoon.
Lower Hunter Rural Fire Service confirmed that a number of RFS and NSW Fire and Rescue crews were on scene just before 2.30pm.
More to come.
