A total fire ban has been declared for the Greater Hunter region on Friday, due to forecast hot and windy conditions.
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The ban will start at midnight, covering the Cessnock, Dungog, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Singleton and Upper Hunter council areas, where severe fire danger is predicted.
The ban also applies to the Greater Sydney, Central Ranges, North Western and Northern Slopes regions of NSW.
No fires may be lit in the open and all fire permits are suspended during the ban. Gas and electric barbecues may be used, provided certain conditions are met.
Under severe fire conditions, the NSW Rural Fire Service advises residents to prepare their homes, follow their bushfire survival plan and remain vigilant, stay informed via local media and the RFS website.
The NSW RFS may issue a harvest safety alert for areas of heightened risk. Harvest operators should monitor conditions and regularly check that they are operating within guidelines.
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