A fire that burnt out approximately 10 hectares of bushland near Anna Bay last weekend may have been caused by sparks from arcing power lines due to the strong wind gusts which prevailed on Saturday morning.
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While the exact cause remains under investigation, NSW Rural Fire Service's public liaison officer Leanne Bell said the area of the blaze located between Gan Gan Road, Eucalyptus Drive and Reflections Drive at One Mile remains on the 'Fires Near Me' app due its propensity to flare up again.
"First reports of the fire came in at 7.30am on Saturday. Around 30 firefighters from RFS crews in Port Stephens, including Anna Bay, Fingal Bay, Soldiers Point and TIlligerry, as well as Fire and Rescue and two water bombing helicopters, worked for a number of hours to contain the fire," Ms Bell said.
"The fire came within about 300m of the nearest homes. Fire crews door knocked the area to alert residents of the situation but no evacuations were necessary."
Police also arrived, closing traffic on Gan Gan Road for a short period.
Ms Bell said that a bobcat has to be used to mark out a line to the north for firefighters to undertake a tactical backburn.
"A lot of work had to be done due to the large amount of decomposed vegetation (peat). This is usually wet and boggy but due to the dry conditions it acts as a fuel for the fires to feed on."
The fire was contained by 3.50pm but had flared up again on Sunday morning, where again fire crews managed to contain the fire due to the easing conditions.
In Raymond Terrace on Monday afternoon, three fire units from Raymond Terrace and Medowie were called to a grass fire near Boomerang Park.
Ms Bell said that the fire posed no threat to persons or property and was quickly contained.
The NSW RFS says that there is an increased risk of grass and bush fires this summer and it was important for residents to protect themselves, their families and their property from the threat of fire.
"It is important that everyone prepares their home and ensure it is ready for any potential bush or grass fire. There are simple things you can do around your home, like keeping the grass low and having a cleared area around your home.
"People should also know the meaning of the different bushfire alert levels. If there is a fire in your area you will find its alert level on the NSW RFS website and in the 'Fires Near Me' app.
"You need to keep track of the alert level so you know what you should do. People are urged to keep all the bushfire information numbers, websites and Smartphone apps handy.
"In a bushfire it is vitally important that you stay up to date on conditions in your area."