Emergency bushfire warning shifts north as blaze burns next to Newcastle Airport
Updated
An emergency warning has been issued for an out of control bushfire burning near Masonite Road, Tomago, just north of Newcastle.
The fire is approximately 472 hectares in size and is now heading in a northerly direction, after a couple of hours heading quickly east towards the Newcastle Airport.
The airport has been closed and all flights cancelled for this afternoon and this evening.
The strong southerly change means the fire is now moving in a northerly direction away from Cabbage Tree Road and towards Richardson Road.
Residents in the Richardson Rd area are advised by the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) to seek shelter as the fire approaches.
Residents in Barry Close, Cabbage Tree Rd, Masonite Rd and areas close to the southern end of Newcastle Airport should continue to monitor the situation.
"Check and follow your bushfire survival plan and prepare for a bushfire in your area," RFS advice said.
The RFS said the firefighters on the scene were assisted by waterbombing aircraft including the large Nancy Bird.
Greg Allan from the RFS said there were no reports of loss of property.
Topics: bushfire, fires, disasters-and-accidents, tomago-2322, newcastle-2300
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