Fires break out in parts of the Hunter as temperatures climb

HOT conditions are keeping firefighters on their toes with small fires popping up around parts of the Hunter.

Fire and Rescue NSW were called to a small fire in Cameron Park just before 3.30pm on Thursday afternoon behind Pasterfield Oval.

The bushfire broke out on Billabong Drive and was being controlled by crews shortly before 4pm.

A grass fire started just 45 minutes later over at Gateshead, with crews heading to Bulls Garden Road.

In the Upper Hunter a grass fire ignited around lunchtime in Singleton on Mitchell Line of Road which was being controlled by the Rural Fire Service.

The temperature gauge peaked at 4.04pm to mark the last day of summer, recording 38.8 degrees in Newcastle, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

The lowest temperature was just 22.5 degrees around 7am this morning.

In Maitland a high of 40.1 degrees was recorded at 4.20pm and 40 in Singleton.

A thunderstorm warning has been issued which could affect the Hunter. Picture sourced Bureau of Meteorology

Though scorching conditions may relieve, with a severe thunderstorm warning issued for the Greater Newcastle area.

The Bureau of Meteorology warned that around 6.45pm a severe thunderstorm is likely to produce damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding.

Affected areas may include Belmont, Swansea and Lake Macquarie. The thunderstorm is moving northeast and is due to hit Warners Bay by 7pm and Charlestown and Redhead by 7.15pm.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall in parts of the Hunter, Metropolitan, Central Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains, Lower Western and Upper Western Forecast Districts.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:

• Move your car under cover or away from trees.
• Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
• Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.
• Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.
  
• Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.
  
• Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
  
• Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
  
• For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.