Oyster Cove bushfire downgraded as crews backburn near Medowie

30 January 2026

newy.com.au – Firefighters are continuing to work on a bushfire burning between Oyster Cove and Medowie in Port Stephens, as crews carried out backburning expected to generate heavy smoke into the night.

The NSW Rural Fire Service said the fire had prompted a Watch and Act alert on Thursday night as it pushed towards Medowie, before easing conditions allowed the warning level to be downgraded. Smoke also remained noticeable across parts of the Hunter on Friday.

Bert Pipan, RFS Incident Controller said the fire started mid-morning on Thursday near Boundary Road at Oyster Cove in the Tilligerry State Conservation Area, before making a run towards Medowie after a north-easterly wind change.

He said extra resources were brought in to help protect Medowie as the fire spread, with more than 100 personnel on the fireground overnight and about 50 working on Friday.

The RFS estimated the fire at 349 hectares on Friday afternoon and said it was being controlled, burning west under easterly winds towards James Road and Coachwood Drive in Medowie and crossing into the Moffats Swamp Nature Reserve.

Crews supported by heavy machinery and waterbombing aircraft focused on establishing and strengthening containment lines, while firefighters conducted backburning on the north-western edge of the fire to improve control lines. The RFS warned the backburn could lead to an increase in fire activity in the area.

Smoke from the backburn was expected to be “highly visible throughout the afternoon and night” around Medowie and along Ferodale Road, and from the A1 Pacific Highway, the spokesman said.

Residents on the eastern outskirts of Medowie, along Lemon Tree Passage Road and in Oyster Cove, were urged to monitor conditions, watch for embers and smoke, and follow directions from emergency services personnel.

The RFS said, “If you are not prepared to the highest level, leaving early is the safest option”, and advised people with respiratory conditions to follow their health management plans and seek medical advice if smoke affected them.

The next update was due by 10am on Saturday 31 January, or sooner if conditions changed, with residents urged to check the Hazards Near Me app and the RFS website or call the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737.