Fire Erupts in Gateshead Fields
Firefighters have spent Wednesday afternoon combating a bushfire that ignited in fields at Gateshead, within the Lake Macquarie region. The blaze was first reported just after midday on November 12, prompting an immediate response from emergency services.
Firefighting Efforts and Containment
By approximately 4:00 PM, Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews had successfully brought three sides of the fire under control. A spokesperson for FRNSW confirmed that the eastern and southern boundaries had been extinguished and were in the process of being blacked out. The northern boundary of the fire was also reported to be nearly out.
The response involved a significant deployment of resources to the area near the Willow Road fields at Gateshead. Four fire appliances were dispatched to the scene, including three tankers and a pumper, supported by a duty commander from Newcastle.
Western Flank Presents Challenge
The western side of the fire presented a unique challenge for ground crews, as it was deemed inaccessible to fire trucks. Two tankers were stationed to monitor this volatile flank. In a strategic move, firefighters prepared to call in a waterbombing aircraft if the situation on the western side escalated and the fire flared up again.
The exact size of the area burned has not yet been officially confirmed. The affected zone is understood to be located near the private hospital, behind Hunter Sports High School and the Mick Middleton Fields. The fire is situated between the Inner City Bypass and the Pacific Highway, in the vicinity of Johnsons Creek.
Authorities continue to work at the scene to ensure the fire is fully extinguished and to prevent any further spread.
