Information current as at 16.09 AEDT
The airpace around Newcastle Airport in New South Wales (NSW) Australia has been closed by the Royal Australian Airforce (RAAF). RAAF Williamtown is on the northern edge of the airport with the runway shared. The closure comes after the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) issued an Emergency Warning Message (EWM) for an out of control bushfire heading in the direction of the airport. An EMW is the highest of 3 alert lervels for bushfires within Australia. An EMW indicates “you may be in danger and need to take action immediately. Any delay now puts your life at risk.”
This video shows the fire advancing toward the airport.
Emergency Warning– Masonite Road, Tomago: Fire burning near Masonite Rd, approx 10km N of Newcastle. Fire moving in E direction towards Newcastle Airport. Sth’ly wind change in area soon. Residents should monitor conditions & take advice from firefighters #NSWRFS pic.twitter.com/mny0xRmZcY
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 13, 2018
All flights have been cancelled for today and passengers should not got to the airport. The airport also says people should delay non-essential travel. Residents around the airport area have been advised to shelter in place as it is now too late to leave.
BREAKING: Fire burning in the Williamtown area. Airport terminal remains open, but flights disrupted. Check w. your airline for fly status.
— Newcastle Airport (@NTLairport) January 13, 2018
BREAKING: Newcastle Airport advises the closure of the airfield to all flights today. Pls delay all non-essential travel to the area.
— Newcastle Airport (@NTLairport) January 13, 2018
Newcastle Airport is the 12th busiest airport in Australia. Airlines operating at the airport include Jetstar, Virgin Australia, QantasLink and REX. JQ483 from Brisbane to Newcastle was diverted to Sydney due to the closure. A DC10 tanker has been called in to help try to contain the fire.
#NewcastleAirport closed. Just had to disembark because #RAAF has closed airspace till “further notice and deLayed indefinitely”. Great to see most people didn’t go all whiny and accepted #bushfires in Aussie are part of summer. #Safety first pic.twitter.com/s4BAhufY27
— Paul Scott (@paul_scott_) January 13, 2018
THIS IS A MAJOR #nswfires ALERT
NEWCASTLE AIRPORT IS NOW CLOSED
(as at 13:00, 13Jan2018).
If you are heading to the airport TURN AROUND – DO NOT PROCEED— NSW fires (@nswfire) January 13, 2018
The warning message as of 15.44 AEDT 13 January 2018:
Major Fire Updates
A bush fire is burning in the Tomago, Williamtown area and is out of control.
Current Situation
The fire continues to move in a easterly direction under strong westerly winds. The fire has reached Barry Close and continues to move along Cabbage Tree Rd towards the Newcastle Airport.
Residents in Barry Close, Cabbage Tree Rd and Massonite Rd and areas close to Newcastle Airport along Williamtown Drive, Technology Place, Kindler Way, Cresswell Way, Slades Road, Sandeman Street and Moxey Close are advised to shelter in place as it is to late to leave.
Firefighters from the NSW RFS, NPWS and FRNSW are working in the area with a number of waterbombing aircraft a including the very large aircraft ‘Nancy Bird’.
There are a number of road closures in the area including sections of Cabbage Tree Rd and Massonite Rd.
A southerly change if forecast late this afternoon. This will push the fire in a northerly direction away from Cabbage Tree Rd towards Richardson Road.
Advice
Residents in Barry Close, Cabbage Tree Rd and Massonite Rd and areas close to Newcastle Airport along Williamtown Drive, Technology Place, Kindler Way, Cresswell Way, Slades Road, Sandeman Street and Moxey Close are advised to shelter in place as it is to late to leave.
Check and follow your Bush Fire Survival Plan and prepare for a bush fire in your area.
If your plan is to leave, or you are not prepared, leave early.
Well prepared and actively defended homes can offer safety during the fire.
Other Information
If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Continue to stay up to date with the bush fire situation by checking http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au, listening to your local radio station or by calling the NSW RFS Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737.
If you live in the area but are away from home, it may not be safe to return to your property.
For information on road closures, check http://livetraffic.rta.nsw.gov.au. Roads may be closed without warning.