UPDATE January 14, 6.20pm:
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If you’re in the Williamtown and Campvale area, keep up to date with the latest information and advice from the Rural Fire Service through the night here.
UPDATE January 14, 3.40pm:
According to the RFS, the current situation is that southerly winds have pushed the fire north of Newcastle airport, south of Richardson Road, near Grahamstown Road.
Residents in the vicinity of Richardson Road, Grahamstown Road, Harvest Road, Pastures Drive, Medowie Road and Wade Close, Campvale, are advised to seek shelter as the fire approaches.
Crews will continue to mop up and black out in the area of Barry Close, Cabbage Tree Road and Massonite Road and areas close to the Newcastle Airport along Williamtown Drive, Technology Place, Kindler Way, Cresswell Way, Slades Road, Sandeman Street and Moxey Close.
Residents should continue to monitor the situation and take advice from firefighters on the ground.
Residents in the Medowie township should also monitor conditions and be aware that ash and embers may fall within the area.
Richardson Rd is closed between Benjamin Lee Drive and Medowie Road.
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.
Residents in the vicinity of Benjamin Lee Drive, Raymond Terrace, are advised to continue to monitor the situation and take advice from firefighters on the ground.
UPDATE January 14, 3.20pm:
The NSW Rural Fire Service has issued an emergency warning for Campvale residents.
Anyone in the Richardson Road, Grahamstown Road, Harvest Road, Pastures Drive, Medowie Road and Wade Close are being advised to seek shelter as the fire approaches.
January 13:
An emergency warning has been issued as an out-of-control bushfire threatens homes at Williamtown, near Newcastle Airport.
Do you know more? Email: carrie.fellner@fairfaxmedia.com.au or simon.mccarthy@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Advice from the Rural Fire Service for residents (current as at 5pm):
Residents at Campvale and the south-east of Raymond Terrace have been advised to seek shelter as the fire approaches.
A southerly change has pushed the fire away from Cabbage Tree Road and into dense bushland to the north. The fire ground has swelled to around 472 hectares.
A NSW RFS spokesperson has said that the greatest risk now is to Campvale to the north of the fire front, with southerly winds expected to pick up around 7pm and push the blaze toward homes on Richardson Road.
66 firefighters from the RFS, Fire and Rescue and the National Parks and Wildlife Service remain on the fire ground, with the assistance of a very large air tanker called 'Nancy Bird', a crane and a number of other small aircraft.
Newcastle Airport remains closed, but the RFS spokesperson confirmed that was due to smoke impact rather than to direct risk from the fire.
Advice for residents:
Residents in Barry Close, Cabbage Tree Rd and Massonite Rd and areas close to Newcastle Airport along Williamtown Drive, Technology Place, Kindler Way, Cresswell Way, Slades Road, Sandeman Street and Moxey Close are advised to shelter in place as it is to late to leave.
Check and follow your Bush Fire Survival Plan and prepare for a bush fire in your area.
If your plan is to leave, or you are not prepared, leave early.
Well prepared and actively defended homes can offer safety during the fire.
If your life is at risk, call triple zero immediately.
