A bush fire near a Port Macquarie driving range is still burning, and caused traffic problems near the base hospital this morning, Friday July 19.
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The blaze broke out yesterday, (Thursday July 18) near the Port Macquarie Driving Range and Mini Golf on Lindfield Park Road, beside the Oxley Highway.
The bush fire is across 34 hectares and is being controlled.
Crews from Sancrox/Thrumster Rural Fire Brigade were among those at the scene from noon on Thursday.
They said that even though it is July, this fire spread unbelievably quickly over traditionally swampy areas that with the lack of rain are now very dry. Access to control the fire is very limited in the area it is burning.
"We had 'crown' fires at times, which is where the fire climbs trees and moves through the canopy of the forest, fire behaviour that is normally only seen in much worse conditions during summer," said a spokesperson.
The smoke could be seen from Port Macquarie airport yesterday.
The Oxley Highway between the base hospital roundabout and the donut was closed from 4am this morning (Friday) until around 9am, causing traffic congestion. Drivers heading to Wauchope and beyond had to find alternative routes.
To stay up to date with the situation, please download the Fires Near Me App, or visitwww.rfs.nsw.gov.au
Remember, now is the time to start thinking about preparing your property for the summer ahead. Go to www.myfireplan.com.au
A spokesperson for Fire & Rescue Port Macquarie said people in the Port Macquarie area can expect more smoke over the weekend.
Meanwhile the Forestry Corporation of NSW are carrying out a hazard reduction fire, which is under control, over 100 hectares at Bago, eight kilometres south of Wauchope.
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Letitia Fitzpatrick
Worked as a journalist and assistant producer for BBC news and current affairs in the UK, Ulster Television, Q Radio and the Irish News in Northern Ireland. Moved to Australia and joined Fairfax Media in 2016. Won a Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship award in 2018 for reporting the Pappinbarra bushfires and the subsequent Rotary appeal which raised $30,000.
Worked as a journalist and assistant producer for BBC news and current affairs in the UK, Ulster Television, Q Radio and the Irish News in Northern Ireland. Moved to Australia and joined Fairfax Media in 2016. Won a Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship award in 2018 for reporting the Pappinbarra bushfires and the subsequent Rotary appeal which raised $30,000.
