A BUSHFIRE at Bendemeer has closed the New England Highway in both directions.
Emergency services and traffic control crews blocked the highway in both directions, after a fire jumped the highway.
RFS district assistant Barry Gehrig said the blaze started near the rodeo ground and jumped across to the opposite side of the highway.
Mr Gehrig said there were six RFS units on hand to hep contain the fire.
He said crews were also working on a second fire which had broken out on the Bendemeer-Woolbrook Road as well.
He said it was too early to tell what sparked the fire.
Local diversions have now been put in place, however these diversions are not available for heavy vehicles. Heavy vehicles are being held on either side of the closure.
Both fires are now contained and the highway has been reopened.
For the latest information regarding this closure and others on NSW state roads visit www.livetraffic.com before travelling.
Earlier, the Gwydir Highway was also closed in both directions between Glen Innes and Jackadgery due to a bushfire.
Emergency services and traffic control crews are at both closure points.
Motorists should consider using either the Bruxner Highway or Waterfall Way as an alternative.
Motorists were urged to stay away and avoid the closure.
Jacob McArthur
Jacob McArthur is opinions editor for The Canberra Times and Australian Community Media. As part of the Canberra Times' production team, he helps the people of Canberra and beyond get the stories they need, when they need them across a range of platforms, while helping maintain a high editorial standard. Before moving to Canberra in 2020, he started with Australian Community Media in 2015 as a journalist for The Northern Daily Leader in Tamworth where he kept a close eye on Tamworth Regional Council. Jacob was also the co-host of ACM's Water Pressure podcast where he and Jamieson Murphy took a deep dive on issues and key decisions arising during one of the region's worst droughts on record.
Jacob McArthur is opinions editor for The Canberra Times and Australian Community Media. As part of the Canberra Times' production team, he helps the people of Canberra and beyond get the stories they need, when they need them across a range of platforms, while helping maintain a high editorial standard. Before moving to Canberra in 2020, he started with Australian Community Media in 2015 as a journalist for The Northern Daily Leader in Tamworth where he kept a close eye on Tamworth Regional Council. Jacob was also the co-host of ACM's Water Pressure podcast where he and Jamieson Murphy took a deep dive on issues and key decisions arising during one of the region's worst droughts on record.
