Media Response Newcastle

06/09/2026

05/09/2026

CALGA

FIRE IS NOW 100% CONTAINED.

UPDATE 4.40PM: Firefighters have gained the upper hand and fire has now been downgraded to Advice level.

UPDATE - FIRE UPGRADED TO WATCH AND ACT - https://www.facebook.com/nswccincidentalerts/posts/pfbid0DRrT7Hn7xVGgaGQC9oYNQoeEHce91foN2AEBgbniLQ6cH7AHyGraDauLA3QwB3Wpl

INITIAL REPORT:
A grass fire has been reported in the vicinity of Bandaroo Road at Calga.

NSW Rural Fire Service are on scene. The fire has spread into the bush towards Jones Road.

Further updates to follow.

UPDATE: Crews are positioning themselves to protect the veterinary practice and surrounding buildings as firefighting efforts continue.

FURTHER UPDATE: Fire has spotted onto the median on Peats Ridge Road. Peats Ridge Road may be closed to allow safe firefighting activities. Please use alternative route.

FURTHER UPDATE 1.30pm: Aerial appliance now on scene assisting firefighting activities.

UPDATE 2.15PM: Crews, along with aerial appliances, continue to work on the north/western side of Peats Ridge Road. Road to remain closed until further notice. Two more aerial appliances requested.

UPDATE 2.30PM:

The fire has grown to approximately three hectares and is moving in a south-easterly direction towards the Pacific Motorway.

The Pacific Motorway remains open at this stage, however smoke from the fire may affect visibility. Motorists should slow down, drive to the conditions and take extra care through the area.

Firefighters are working to contain the fire and slow its spread, with waterbombing aircraft assisting crews on the ground.

If you are in the affected area, fire may threaten your property. Complete your final preparations now.

• Fill buckets, sinks and bathtubs with water to help extinguish spot fires.
• Block downpipes and fill gutters with water where possible. Do not climb onto your roof.
• Move outdoor furniture, doormats and other combustible items away from your home.
• Have any firefighting equipment ready for use.
• Wear sturdy footwear and protective clothing made from natural fibres that covers exposed skin. Keep plenty of drinking water available.
• If you and your property are not prepared, leaving early is the safest option.

04/09/2026

A hazard reduction burn is planned to be undertaken at 2 Lookout Road New Lambton Heights (Newcastle City Council LGA) on Monday 7th September 2026, between the times of 0900-1600

If you live nearby, please consider doing the following:
- Keep doors and windows closed to prevent smoke entering buildings.
- Outdoor items such as outdoor furniture, trampolines, playground equipment etc should be either taken inside or covered. Where this is not practical, items should be hosed down regularly to prevent ember damage.
- Retract plastic or synthetic pool covers to prevent ember damage
- Remove washing from clothes lines.
- Ensure any outdoor pets have a sheltered area.
- 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.
- If you are driving a vehicle, slow down, keep windows up and turn headlights on.

Never fly drones or Remote Piloted Aircraft near bush fires or hazard reductions, where other aircraft may be operating. Penalties apply.

For more information check the Hazards Near Me NSW App or visit
https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fires-near-me

04/09/2026

A Total Fire Ban will be in place tomorrow, Saturday 5 September for the Greater Sydney Region, with Extreme fire danger forecast.

Warm, dry and windy conditions are forecast across parts of the state, with much of northeast NSW experiencing High fire danger.

Take action now. Know your fire risk and what you will do if fire threatens. Remember to report all unattended fires to Triple Zero (000).

For more information on Total Fire Ban rules, visit the website: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fdr

31/08/2026

Hazard reduction burns are taking place across NSW this week where favourable conditions allow, to reduce bush fire risk and help protect communities ahead of the next fire season. Today, RFS crews are assisting the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service with the Blaxland Ridge East Stage 2 hazard reduction burn in the Hawkesbury region of the Wollemi National Park.

Smoke from this burn may be visible locally and in areas of western Sydney this afternoon, settling overnight in to tomorrow morning before clearing through the day.

Please only call Triple Zero (000) if you see an unattended fire. For more information, visit the Hazards Near Me app or the RFS website: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/hr

19/08/2026

UPDATE
We wanted to share a quick update on what’s happening behind the scenes at Media Response Newcastle.

Fleet & Operations Update
Our vehicle is back on the road after being out of service for the past few months due to mechanical repairs.

Staffing & Coverage
I have recently accepted a full-time secondment in my primary career, which I hope to transition into permanently.

What does this mean for MRN? We aren't going anywhere. While our primary focus has always been providing weekend and after-hours coverage when major news outlets have limited staffing, we will continue to cover local incidents whenever possible.

Team Expansion
We are excited to announce that our team is growing! We have officially on-boarded a second team member who has been working closely alongside us. She has recently completed her fireground safety sign-offs, allowing her to deploy in the field to support operations. While she has effectively been managing our communications for some time, we are thrilled to make her role as Communications Officer official.

Looking Ahead
As we approach the upcoming fire season, we remain cautious. Observing current global weather patterns, there is a real possibility of severe conditions similar to the 2019/2020 season. While we are preparing for the busiest scenarios, we are hoping for a safe and manageable season for our community.

Thank you for your ongoing support! - Michael

12/08/2026

🔥Hazard Reduction - Cessnock LGA🔥

Firefighters will be taking advantage of favourable conditions to conduct a Hazard Reduction Burn on Thursday 13th August 2026.

Residents in the area may see or smell smoke and those with asthma or other respiratory problems are advised to keep clear of the area, stay indoors with your windows closed and to activate your health plan if required.

A reminder to please only call Triple Zero (000) if you can see an unattended fire. For more information, visit the Hazards Near Me app or the website: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/hr

30/07/2026

This weekend, the will deploy its CH-47D Chinook helicopter and a Bell 412 support aircraft to fight fires in France. This will mark the Service’s first-ever European deployment.

The aircraft will be accompanied by 24 highly skilled aerial and ground crew, and transported to France in partnership with the Australian Defence Force.

The Chinook, equipped with an 11,300-litre belly tank, has the largest payload of any firefighting helicopter in Australia. Working with the Bell 412, it is also capable of conducting waterbombing missions at night. Should it be tasked to do so in France, it will be the first time night-time waterbombing has been undertaken in the country.

Commissioner Trent Curtin says the deployment is a testament to the expertise of our aviation crews.

“We're proud to share that expertise with our international partners while strengthening the relationships that are so important when disasters occur around the world."