Both that fire and the one burning at Minmi had been downgraded to advice only when conditions eased overnight.
Today the Rural Fire Service is doing backburning between the Fernleigh Track and Redhead Rd, with more than 40 firefighters on scene supported by water-bombing helicopters which are using nearby lagoons to fill up.
The crews are working on containment lines to try to control the blaze which is burning through the Awabakal Nature Reserve, and protect properties including a nursing home on Redhead Rd.
This morning the fire jumped the Fernleigh walking track.
The RFS is asking Dudley and Redhead residents to remain vigilant, check their Bushfire Survival Plan and decide what to do if conditions worsen.
They advise leaving early is your safest option.
Yesterday there were dual emergencies as fire crews battled to keep the Stockrington Rd fire from reaching the township of Minmi, and the Gateshead fire came dangerously close to properties at Dudley.
Some residents chose to leave, while others stayed to hose down their properties.
In the Dudley and Redhead areas road closures caused traffic chaos with some motorists rushing to get home, others hurrying to leave or trying to pick children up from school, while emergency vehicles needed access as well.
The Minmi fire is still uncontained but remains at advice level, and continues burning west of the M1 motorway towards Minmi.
Fire crews are working around homes in Stockrington Rd, Dog Hole Rd and Seahampton Rd.
Backburning was done overnight along the M1 to protect the road from the fire.
A total fire ban remains in place for the Hunter, which is expecting a very high fire danger today.
The weather forecast is for a sunny day with winds west to southwesterly up to 30km/h, and maximum temperatures up to 27 degrees. The UV index is predicted to reach 11, which is extreme.
Road closures: The M1 motorway is open in both directions but one northbound and southbound lane have been closed. Some local roads are closed in the Dudley-Redhead area due to backburning.
Power: Ausgrid crews are making repairs to the network around Newcastle after yesterday's fires. Overnight they replaced three poles in Dudley and are continuing to assess damage around Redhead. Supply has now been restored to all homes in the Redhead, Whitebridge and Dudley areas. Crews are also working around Minmi rebuilding damaged parts of the network, however power supply to local homes is not affected.
Continue to monitor your local emergency broadcaster, 1233 ABC Newcastle, for fire warnings and updates. And keep an eye on our Facebook page and Twitter feed @1233Newcastle.
You should also check the RFS website, and you can find the latest weather information at the Bureau of Meteorology website.
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