2.52pm: POLICE have reopened the Pacific Highway in both directions after it was earlier closed due to a bushfire.
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Motorists were advised to avoid Medowie Road as the firefighting effort continues.
2.06pm: FIREFIGHTERS have downgraded the bushfire burning near the Pacific Highway at Ferodale.
The Rural Fire Service said there was no immediate danger but urged residents to monitor conditions.
The RFS had earlier rated the fire “watch and act” on its warning scale.
The Pacific Highway remains closed in both directions.
Earlier
AUTHORITIES have closed the Pacific Motorway in both directions at Ferodale, near Medowie, as an out of control bushfire flares up.
The bushfire has reportedly jumped the motorway, with the Rural Fire Service upgrading its safety advice to “watch and act”.
The motorway is closed between The Bucketts Way and Medowie Road.
Detours were in place but motorists were advised to delay their journey.
Meanwhile, fire investigators have been called up to the Hunter after separate blazes tested firefighters on Tuesday morning.
Firefighters responded to a blaze at Freemans Waterhole, near Cessnock, and another at Cameron Park, which sent a plume of smoke over the Newcastle Link Road.
The Cameron Park fire was contained to five hectares, while the Freemans Waterhole blaze spread to 100 hectares on state forest land.
Those fires were under control.
A cause for the fires were yet to be determined but fire investigators were en route to the Hunter, the RFS said.
The weather bureau says the fire danger rating is “very high", with the wind speed between 25 to 40 km/h.
