In Minmi a scrub fire is still uncontained around Stockrington Rd near the M1.
However, the fire's progress has slowed significantly and it's still burning 1km west of the M1, which has reopened to southbound traffic.
An emergency warning remains in place for a fire which began at Gateshead near the Fernleigh Track and is now burning in the Awabakal Nature Reserve towards the coast.
It jumped Oakdale Rd and Redhead Rds, but the threat to properties in Dudley and Redhead now appears to have eased.
Lighter winds and a change in direction have improved conditions, but the Rural Fire Service urges residents to remain vigilant.
More than 70 firefighters are working in the area, and water-bombing helicopters have been assisting.
Meanwhile, the Hank St fire at Heatherbrae flared up in Elizabeth St at Raymond Terrace but has now been brought under control.
Evacuation centres: Evacuation centres have been set up at Charlestown Leagues Club, Redhead Bowling Club and Redhead Surf Club.
Road closures: Northbound southbound lanes of the M1 Motorway (F3) are closed at George Booth Drive, Seahampton but southbound lanes have reopened. Redhead Rd, Ocean St Dudley and Oakdale Rd Gateshead are all closed. The Pacific Highway is closed northbound at Masonite Rd, Heatherbrae.
Power: Power has been interrupted to 1300 homes and businesses in parts of Dudley and Whitebridge, mostly affecting homes along Ocean St. It's hoped electricity supply will be restored to the majority of households soon. Power is out to about 380 homes and businesses in Branxton as a result of the Rusty Lane fire, while about 60 properties around Lenaghans Drive are blacked out due to the Stockrington Rd fire.
A grass fire at Rusty Lane, Branxton had threatened two houses, but was contained and crews are mopping up.
A total fire ban is in place and today's forecast for the Hunter is for temperatures up to 36 degrees, with northwesterly winds up to 50km/h and the possibility of isolated showers and thunderstorms.
With only 10 percent humidity and wind gusts up to 100km/h predicted, the entire Hunter region was expecting a day of extreme fire danger.
Rural Fire Service superintendent, Jason McKellar, told Aaron Kearney from 1233 ABC Newcastle Breakfast that some of the fires from last week are still burning and have to be watched carefully.
"There could be a single ember smouldering away inside a hollow log, and you get these winds and it can push it out," he warns.
"We certainly have concerns, however the work that the guys have done should put us in the best possible stead for the conditions we face."
The RFS has been using thermal technology to help detect problem areas.
"We've been using our thermal imagery equipment from helicopters over all the fires, so that gives us an idea of where the hot spots are within the fire that you just can't pick up with the naked eye," Jason says.
"And obviously there's numerous hot spots on all of the fires because we just haven't had the rain or cooler conditions to douse them."
The superintendent says outside help has given local firefighters the chance to have a "bit of a breather" over the past few days, and today there are five strike teams on standby throughout the Hunter, along with local crews and aircraft.
He says there are still fires active in the Upper Hunter around Hungerford Creek and Blackjack Mountain, with the Hungerford fire burning over 18,000ha.
"That's a large fireground and in these conditions, these winds, any sort of spot that gets out can just escalate so quick," he says.
Crews have also been working for days on a fire over 1000ha at Mt Tangory near Singleton, and extensive back-burning has been done.
And firefighting teams are on standby all around the Port Stephens fire at Heatherbrae.
Continue to follow fire warnings and updates on your local emergency broadcaster, 1233 ABC Newcastle, and keep an eye on our Facebook page and Twitter feed @1233Newcastle.
You can check the RFS website for fire updates, and get information on road closures at this live traffic site.
You can also call the Bushfire Information Line on 1800 679 737.
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