Temperatures across much of New South Wales are on the rise, with the mercury set to peak in some areas at more than 35 degrees.
Newcastle’s Nobbys Head reached 30 degrees just after 10 o’clock.
Further north, strong westerly winds were pushing the temperature towards 30 degrees at Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, and Ballina.
A total fire ban is in place for the Greater Hunter Region.
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More than a dozen blazes are burning across the north of the state, including a fire burning at Stockrington west of Newcastle, which has so far burnt through around 15 hectares of land.
It remains at advice level.
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A watch and act warning also remains in place for an out of control bushfire at Lake Macquarie.
The fire at Ryhope started at around 2 o’clock, and is burning in the vicinity of Cozzie Lane, just east of the motorway.
There’s currently no direct threat to properties, with smoke visible from the M1.
A section of Palmers Rd is closed between the M1 & the cemetery.
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22 @NSWRFS and 6 National Parks crew are battling a ten hectares fire at Stockrington. The fire is not yet contained and they are currently doing mop up to avoid further outbreaks. @nbnnews #Bushfire pic.twitter.com/bq45a5Pvor
— dukerling (@dukerling) November 2, 2018