Residents in the Williamtown and surrounding areas have been urged to monitor fire conditions ahead of further hot, dry weather this weekend.
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Fire burned through more than 2500 hectares between Tomago and Campvale in the past week, with only minimal damage to property, before fire fighters were able to bring it under control.
Their efforts have since turned to mopping up before temperatures are expected to hit the high 30s and into the 40s on Monday.
"We're going to have some warm weather over the weekend and less humidity, which is a cause for concern,” NSW RFS Lower Hunter regional fire district acting manager Martin Siesmen said.
“I know it sounds silly but while the weather has been hot there was at least some moisture in it”.
Mr Siesmen said there was also cause for concern with instability in the atmosphere. In the event of another flare up he said a convection column could drag wind up in the atmospher, down into fire.
"These are some of the risks we face,” he said.
The fire began with a lightning strike near Masonite Road, Tomago, on January 8. One of 14 “ignitions” that day in the Lower Hunter that fire fighters responded to.
As many as 50 firefighters had been monitoring the Tomago fire throughout the week and it was under control until wind gusts of up to 80 kmh fanned flames and escalated the fire threat from advice to emergency.
Firefighters spent most of Saturday afternoon battling to save rural properties along Cabbage Tree Road, Masonite Road and Barrie Close. Some damp and cool nights hampered back burning but with the fire under control again, efforts turned to the mop up on Wednesday.
This involved a coordinated response from the air. Using thermal imaging to detect hotspots the GPS coordinates were transferred to volunteers on the ground, with their own heat sensing cameras, to find and extinguish smouldering logs.
Some logs on Wednesday were detected at 300 degrees.
Mr Siesmen said volunteers had already put a lot of work into preparation for the weekend.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald MLC took a tour through parts of the fire ground on Thursday.
“I really want to thank all the agencies, RFS, Police, Ausgrid, everyone,” he said.
“I’m really grateful there wasn’t any real damage to property.”
Ahead of another hot weekend with temperatures in the high 30s to low 40s Mr MacDonald said people should be vigilant.
“It’s really important that people listen to the public warnings and be ready to implement their bushfire action plan and listen to the directions of emergency services,” he said.
Fire fighters at one point had to contend with motorbike riders on the fire ground.
“It’s a real concern when there’s motorbikes on the fire ground and our firefighters are working to control the fire,” Mr MacDonald said.
