There is a total fire ban in place across the Greater Hunter today. The NSW Rural Fire Service has the ban in place across the Greater Hunter Region including Cessnock, Dungog, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Singleton and Upper Hunter. In the Greater Hunter it is severe due to the warm and dry conditions.

Please remember that no fires may be lit in the open and all fire permits are suspended today. Gas and electric barbeques may be used provided certain conditions are met. You can find out more here.

Rural Fire Service volunteers in our region are on high alert and are rostered in strike teams in preparation for the need to respond. Thank you to all of our brave and committed emergency service volunteers!