The Pacific Highway has been closed in both directions near Raymond Terrace and Swansea to allow firefighters access to two out-of-control bushfires in the region.
The Ruttleys Road fire, near Wyong, has burnt out more than 1,500 hectares and an emergency warning has been issued for people in its path.
The Hanks Street fire at Port Stephens has burnt out more than 4,570 hectares and a watch-and-act alert has been issued for people in that area.
Closer to home, the highway is also restricted the turnoff to Iluka, where an accident between a car and two trucks at around 8am has resulted in traffic being reduced to a single-lane stop-slow operation until the vehicles are cleared.
At least one of the vehicles is believed to have caught alight and fuel is thought to be involved.
Local fires
Three fires are burning in our region but so far none of them are believed to affect residents.
The Mulgum Creek fire has burnt out 12 hectares 10km northwest of Nimbin near the Mount Nardi communications towers. The fire has been brought under control by NPWS crews.
The Red Gum Fire at Bungawalbin State Conservation Area has been brought under control by NPWS after burning out 30 hectares.
And the Camira Creek fire, near Whiporie, has been brought under control by the Rural Fire Service after burning out 169 hectares.
A hazard-reduction operation at Mebbin National Park, 15–20km northeast of Tyalgum – beyond the western end Cutters Camp Road – is burning within containment lines.
NPWS deliberately burn’t old growth brushbox forest + warm temperate rainforest calling it Dry Shrubby Sclerophyll in the heart of Mulgum creek catchment this is stupid irresponsible + reckless NPWS should be punished for this crap, changes are urgently needed to stop this rednecked approach to this MIS managment of World of World heritage rainforests. Is this a government directive or just a stuff up? we need to know now before anymore rainforest is destroyed. Nightcap action group.