Firefighters work to contain three bush fires at Crescent Head

Rural Fire Service (RFS) crews will make use of favourable weather conditions over the coming days to extinguish three major fires in the Macleay Valley.

Lower North Coast NSW RFS Superintendent Lachlann Ison said crews are currently working to contain three bush fires, one north of Crescent Head, another at Turners Flat and the third at Gilmores Gully south of Bellbrook.

“Crews are focused on a large back burn at Turners Flat today, they have already back burned around 10 kilometres and will continue into this afternoon,” Supt Ison said.

“There will be smoke in the area for the next few days because of the back burn.”

Meanwhile, Loftus Rd north of Crescent Head remains closed.

“Hopefully the road will be reopened soon, but for now it will remain closed while tree assessment takes place,” Supt Ison said.

Crews are currently working on strengthening containment lines at the fire north of Crescent Head and are being aided by aircraft and heavy machinery. Smoke in the area has reduced but will likely remain for the next 24 hours.

Crews will also work to back burn the southern end of the fire which has burnt through over 1200 hectares of bushland.