Crews were initially called out to Jerrys Plains Rd at 3am this morning to contain the roadside fire before this afternoon's strong winds reignited the blaze.

"The only fire in our shire that took place today was at Warkworth near the Golden Highway," Mr Cox explained.

"It was a roadside ignition of 300m just inside the guard rail between the roadway and the mining site.

"There were no threats to property but it damaged the base of two powerpoles and police are currently investigating this fire as suspicious."

IN OTHER NEWS firefighters from across New South Wales have continued to battle bushfires on the state's Mid North Coast.

Several towns have been affected while the Hillville fire near Taree has jumped the Pacific Hwy and is now spreading quickly towards Rainbow Flat, Diamond Beach and Possum Brush.

"Hunter Valley Rural Fire Services has just dispatched two group officers and five tankers to the Mid Coast for the urgent fire situation," Cox added.

"These tankers are from Mangoola, Whittingham, Darlington, McCullys Gap and Edinglassie."

As of 3pm the Pacific Highway is closed in both directions.

MEANWHILE Sydney bound motorists on Putty Road are advised to exercise with caution as winds push smoke from the 'Gospsers Mountain Fire' across the ranges.

"This fire is not in our shire but it's on the edge of our shire coming from Lithgow," he continued.

"It's moving eastwards this afternoon and we expect that the Putty Road around Mellong swamp will be affected by smoke."

The current fire has grown from 2,500 to 17,000 hectares in the past seven days.

The Hunter Valley RFS will continue to combine forces with its respective outfits from the Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains.

"It's not exceeding our expectations," he concluded.

"We can't get to it without an aircraft at this stage; (most of) which are occupied at Mid Coast."