In light of recent conditions, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has closed the Watagans National Park to keep the public safe from bushfires.
The closure will give firefighting staff a safe space to undertake suppression activities such as back-burning, if required.
Despite a small reprieve from rain on Wednesday 4 October, and the coming cooler weather, Thursday’s fire danger rating on 5 October will reach Extreme levels in some parts of the Hunter and Central Coast.
NPWS put a fire ban in place throughout the Watagans National Park, just one hour from Newcastle, across the long weekend due to the elevated risk.
But, on Sunday 1 October, a blaze was reported at Monkey Face and has since been named the Gap Creek fire, stretching across 83 hectares.
Investigators are looking into its cause… and it may be linked to a campfire.
Crews have also been actively fighting this fire with aircraft and Remote Aerial Firefighting Team (RAFT) teams from both NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) and NPWS as well as fire tankers.
A second occurrence was reported on the morning of Tuesday 3 October after starting in Congewai Valley.
Again, it’s suspected to be from a campfire and is under investigation.
Known as the Click Creek fire, and extending 211 hectares, NSW RFS and NPWS crews have been actively fighting it with aircraft and fire tankers.
Heavy plant machines are currently maintaining existing containment lines and fall-back options.
“We implore everyone to heed Total Fire Bans and other restrictions to help keep all of us safe,” an NPWS spokesperson said.
“Authorities are busy enough in the current conditions without heedlessly-lit fires causing more issues.
“Depending on weather, operations are expected to continue for a further week or more.
“After a risk assessment of smouldering grounds and weakened trees has been conducted, the park will reopen.”
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