Hunter blaze closes Newcastle Airport and threatens homes

  • Residents near Newcastle Airport have been warned to stay put and take shelter 
  • A fast-moving blaze is burning out of control and closing in on the airport
  • The airport was closed Saturday afternoon, with all flights cancelled or diverted
  • Water bombing aircraft and almost 70 firefighters are working to fight the blaze

Residents have been told it’s too late to leave their homes as a fast-moving fire burns out of control and closes in on Newcastle Airport.  

The airport was closed on Saturday afternoon, with all flights cancelled or diverted due to the fire that is being fanned by strong westerly winds. 

Residents in parts of Williamtown and Campvale, north of Newcastle, have been told by emergency services to take shelter and not attempt to leave. 

 

Residents north of Newcastle have been told it’s too late to leave their homes as a fast-moving fire burns out of control and closes in on Newcastle Airport

The airport was closed on Saturday afternoon, with all flights cancelled or diverted due to the fire that is being fanned by strong westerly winds

The airport was closed on Saturday afternoon, with all flights cancelled or diverted due to the fire that is being fanned by strong westerly winds

Water bombing aircraft and almost 70 Rural Fire Service personnel are working to contain the fire that is threatening homes in the area.  

A RFS spokesman said the airport had been closed due to the heavy smoke in the area.

Footage from a helicopter hovering over the fire area – uploaded to Facebook by the RFS – shows large plumes of smoke moving over the airport.

The video appears to show the fire just several hundred metres away from the airport.

Footage from a helicopter hovering over the fire area - uploaded to Facebook by the RFS - shows large plumes of smoke moving over the airport

Footage from a helicopter hovering over the fire area – uploaded to Facebook by the RFS – shows large plumes of smoke moving over the airport

Water bombing aircraft and almost 70 Rural Fire Service personnel are working to contain the fire that is threatening homes in the area

Water bombing aircraft and almost 70 Rural Fire Service personnel are working to contain the fire that is threatening homes in the area

A RFS spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that a local southerly wind change has pushed the fire in a northerly direction, and split it into two separate blazes

A RFS spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that a local southerly wind change has pushed the fire in a northerly direction, and split it into two separate blazes

A RFS spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that a local southerly wind change has pushed the fire in a northerly direction, and split it into two separate blazes.   

‘The two areas we are concerned by and providing service to is the Richardson Road, Campvale area and on the south-eastern side of Raymond Terrace. 

‘Residents should shelter as the fire approaches, follow advice from firefighters and follow their survival plans.’

The spokesperson said a stronger southerly breeze is expected to arrive at 7pm, which will lead to crews reassessing the firefighting effort.  



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