FIREFIGHTERS called in support from the air as a huge blaze near Armidale continued to burn through the weekend.
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The bushfire at Bees Nest near the Guy Fawkes National Park has grown to more than 97,000 hectares in size with a 912 kilometre perimeter.
The fire is listed as under control, but New England Rural Fire Services crews were assisted by water bombing aircraft on the weekend.
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Total fire bans were in place across the weekend in the New England North West.
A number of planned backburns were implemented during the week at Bees Nest, to strengthen containment lines.
It is possible that areas of previously benign fire activity could increase, pushing smoke towards the coast and there is a risk that containment lines could be challenged.
Trees damaged by fire might continue to impact a number of local roads.
People in the areas of Billys Creek, Tyringham, Marengo, Moonpar, Dundarrabin or Bostobrick, are advised to monitor to situation.
The water bombing aircraft was also deployed to assist with fires in the Glen Innes area.
The fire at Kingsgate Red Range has blazed through more than 30,000 hectares.
The northern edge of the fire continues to burn in Mann and Brother State forest in the vicinity of Wytaliba.
The eastern edge of the fire is currently being held along the Old Grafton-Old Glenn Innes Rd.
Elsewhere in the region, there was 60 hectare fire burning near Waterfall Way at Wollomombi.
Fire activity is likely to increasing across the fire-ground as the day warms up.
Firefighters are bracing for difficult conditions with high winds and low humidity forecast.
The fire at Raspberry Road, Jeogla is under control and has burnt out more than 5200 hectares.
Firefighters estimated it was between two to six hours from properties.
The large fires burning in the region have also promoted a smoke-related health warning from authorities.
Areas that are likely to be affected include Glen Innes, Armidale, Tamworth and the Coffs Harbour region.
This smoke is likely to persist for the next few days while wind conditions remain relatively stable.
NSW Health said children, older adults and people with heart and lung conditions are most susceptible to the effects of air pollution and excessive smoke.
If you have asthma or a lung condition, reduce outdoor activities if smoke levels are high and if shortness of breath or coughing develops, take your reliever medicine or seek medical advice.
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.
