1pm, Monday, August 21:
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The Pacific Highway has reopened in both directions and diversions have been lifted.
Continue to exercise caution as visibility remains low in some sections of the highway.
8.30am, Monday, August 21:
The Pacific Highway has closed this morning north of Kempsey due to smoke in the air.
Live Traffic NSW advises smoke in the area may affect visibility. Motorists should drive to the conditions.
Diversions are in place via Macleay Valley Way in both directions. This diversion is suitable for vehicles up to 25/26m B-double.
8am, Sunday, August 20: The Pacific Highway has been re-opened in both directions between Frederickton and Eungai Rail and diversions have been lifted.
Multiple grassfires and bushfires in the area are now under control or being controlled by RFS crews through strategic backburning.
If travelling, continue monitoring the Live Traffic website or app. Specific information about local fires can be found on Fires Near Me.
Multiple NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) crews along the East Coast have joined firefighting efforts in the Kempsey and Port Macquarie-Hastings LGAs since strong winds whipped up the fires on Friday.
Favourable weather is predicted today, Sunday, August 20.
5pm, Saturday, August 19: Lower North Coast RFS district manager Superintendent Liz Ferris said crews are continuing to get on top of the fires.
"The weather has been a lot more favourable than predicted, which is great," she said.
"That has allowed our crews to get that bit of an upper hand and do a bit of backburning and strengthen our containment lines."
Crews are on the scene of new fires at Clybucca, the Burnt Bridge area at Kempsey and Taylors Arm.
Supt Ferris said those fires are not of any concern at the moment.
Crews are strengthening containment lines at the Collombatti and Kundabung fires.
Backburning will create more smoke but people shouldn't be concerned.
Meanwhile, further south in the Port Macquarie-Hastings local government area, most of the fires are under control.
RFS crews have been busy working on the Upsalls Creek Road fire, with help from the Forestry Corporation of NSW.
4.15pm, Saturday, August 19: The Bureau of Meteorology has cancelled the strong wind warning for the Macquarie Coast and Coffs Coast.
The cancellation was issued just after 4pm.
The forecast is for sunny conditions and light winds in the Port Macquarie and Kempsey areas on Sunday, August 20.
3.30pm, Saturday, August 19: Bushfire is still having an impact on part of the Pacific Highway.
The highway between Frederickton and Barraganyatti remains closed in a northbound direction.
One of the two southbound lanes is cut. Smoke may affect visibility.
Motorists are advised to use diversions and plan their journeys.
The northbound diversion is the Macleay Valley Way to rejoin the highway at Barraganyatti.
For more information, go to livetraffic.com
1pm, Saturday, August 19: Three out of area strike teams are assisting local crews at the fires at Collombatti and Kundabung.
Lower North Coast RFS district manager Superintendent Liz Ferris said there is a "heavy weight of attack" on those fires.
Local firefighters are being assisted by out of area crews, other agencies and aircraft.
"We are working on containment strategy plans ahead of more favourable weather expected tomorrow," Supt Ferris said.
She urged people to remain vigilant.
11am, Saturday, August 19: There is a strong wind warning in place for the Macquarie Coast and Coffs Coast.
The warning is current for Saturday, August 19.
Weatherzone meteorologist James Rout said strong winds are flowing off the ranges.
A trough and cold front crossed the state on Friday, August 18, leaving strong, dry winds behind it.
Mr Rout said the winds will gradually ease during today.
The winds are expected to be weaker tomorrow.
9am, Saturday, August 19: A Rural Fire Service spokesperson said there had been some really good work done on Friday, August 18 and overnight to get the majority of fires on the Mid Coast and lower North Coast RFS areas under control.
"There are better conditions today but there is still work to do," the spokesperson said.
The fires at Collombatti and Kundabung are those of most concern, the spokesperson said.
Firefighters will be focusing on the Collombatti, Kundabung and Upsalls Creek Road areas on Saturday, August 19.
Aircraft will also be actively working the fires at Collombatti and Kundabung.
The spokesperson said the RFS still wanted people to be aware of the situation in the region.
Keep up to date with the Fires Near Me website and app. and call Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.
8am, Saturday, August 19: The highway between Frederickton and Barranganyatti remains closed to traffic in northbound, with one of the two southern lanes cut.
Check livetraffic.com for diversions, or click the following image and enter your location.
7pm, Friday, August 18: Motorists are being warned to delay travelling north with the M1 cut in both directions between Frederickton and Barraganyatti.
Traffic on either side of this section of highway is heavy and smoke may be affecting visibility.
Traffic diversions are in place. They are:
- Southbound: Macleay Valley Way to rejoin the M1 Pacific Mwy at Bellimbopinni.
- Northbound: Macleay Valley Way to rejoin the M1 Pacific Mwy at Barraganyatti.
This diversion is suitable for all vehicles if driven to the conditions.
For more information, go to livetraffic.com or click on the following image.
5pm, Friday, August 18: Kempsey Shire Council has closed the Waste Management Centre on Crescent Head Road until further notice due to fires in the vicinity.
Council will provide updates on reopening once this information is available.
3pm, Friday, August 18: In the Kempsey LGA there are a number of fires listed as out of control including one at Kundabung, Maria River Rd, Collombatti, Cooperabung and Point Plomer Rd.
RFS crews are also working to bring under control fires in the Port Macquarie-Hastings LGA at Bellangry and Black Creek.
A spokesperson from the Mid Coast RFS said crews are responding to a number of "fast moving fires".
"The conditions today, with the wind and dry grass, means these fires are fast moving," the spokesperson said.
"At this stage there are no threats to property, but we are urging residents to be aware of what's going on."
![RFS crews respond to a bushfire at Kundabung on Friday, August 18. Picture by Emily Walker RFS crews respond to a bushfire at Kundabung on Friday, August 18. Picture by Emily Walker](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/ruby.pascoe/4834ae5b-cba2-4c7d-9d89-bdd14db59940.JPG/r0_482_4928_3264_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
All of the fires are currently at Advice level and there are no emergency warnings.
There is a high fire danger for the North Coast throughout today, Friday, August 18.
Keep up to date with the Fires Near Me website and app. and call Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.
*This story will be updated if the situation changes.