This morning the out-of-control blaze was at the alert level as fire fighters had managed to establish containment lines in concert with aircraft.

However, fire activity has increased as it continues to burn near Bakers Road moving in an Easterly direction towards Gibbs Creek / Putty Valley Road, some isolated properties may come under threat in the next 2-6 hours.

Putty Valley residents in properties to the east of Bakers Road and to the west of Gibbs Creek are advised to enact their Bush Fire Survival Plans.

Follow advice from firefighters in the area.

Residents in Garland Valley and Howes Valley areas may come under ember attack and should enact their Bush Fire Survival Plans now.

If you do not have a plan, decide what you will do if the situation changes.

Crews will continue work to slow the spread of the fire and strengthen containment lines, especially along the Bakers Road area on the eastern side of the fire.

Heavy plant and water-bombing aircraft will continue assisting ground crews.

However, the RFS has been in constant contact with affected residents and are confident they are prepared for the worst.

RFS Hunter Valley public liaison officer, Troy Gersback, says he can’t stress enough how important it is for all residents to have a bushfire survival plan in place, and exercise caution in these conditions.

“The last thing we need is for any new fire threats to break out as both RFS and NSW NPWS firefighters have been working tirelessly since blazes broke out in the Wollemi National Park and Putty State Forest area four weeks ago,” he explains.

Heavy smoke may be experienced around Howes Valley and Garland Valley.

Smoke from this fire is currently affecting the Cessnock and Singleton areas and after a wind change later this evening it may affect Mudgee and Lithgow.

For more information visit https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/major-fire-updates/mfu?id=1540