A Total Fire Ban is in force across the Greater Hunter today, with hot and windy conditions forecast for the region.
The ban, which started at midnight, covers the Cessnock, Dungog, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Singleton and Upper Hunter council areas. It has also been declared for the Greater Sydney region.
The Greater Hunter has been given a High fire danger rating. Under High fire conditions, the NSW Rural Fire Service says there is a heightened risk and residents should be alert for fires in their area.
Residents are being urged to be ready to act and to decide what they will do if a fire starts. The Rural Fire Service says that if a fire does start, lives and property may be at risk, and the safest option is to avoid bushfire risk areas.
During a Total Fire Ban, fires cannot be lit in the open. Residents can find the latest information and a map of affected areas on the NSW Rural Fire Service website.
