RFS issues emergency warnings for fires at Little L Complex and Paddock Run

However, the Rural Fire Service says there is spotting ahead of the main fire front, and the Little L fire is spreading towards the areas of Paynes Crossing, Wollombi and Laguna, while the Paddock Run blaze continues towards Howes Valley and Reedy Creek.

People in these areas are urged to seek shelter as the fire approaches.

The Crumps Complex fire, to the east of Wollombi, remains at Watch and Act level.

Six blazes were at emergency level in NSW at 5pm Friday, including Gospers Mountain (Hawkesbury), Wrights Creek (Central Coast), Kerry Ridge (Muswellbrook) and Meads Creek West (Upper Hunter Shire).

The Crumps Complex fire in Corrabare State Forest, east of Wollombi, has been elevated to Watch and Act status.

The fire is more than 3000 hectares and is out of control. The fire continues to burn on multiple fronts and fire activity is increasing.

While there is currently no immediate threat to properties, residents of Narone Creek, Congewai, Sweetmans Creek and Mootai are advised to monitor the conditions.

The Little L and Paddock Run fires, to the west of Wollombi, remain at emergency level.

An evacuation centre is operating at Cessnock Leagues Club.

The Disaster Welfare Assistance Line is currently open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm on 1800 018 444.

Cessnock District Amateur Basketball Association is collecting donations of water, juice poppers, muesli bars and small packets of chips at the stadium this afternoon between 4pm and 6pm. The donations will be dropped to local fire stations that are out on the front line helping to protect properties at Wollombi.

Emergency warnings have been declared for two Hunter bushfires, while another has been upgraded to Watch and Act.

The Rural Fire Service elevated blazes at Little L Complex west of Wollombi and Paddock Run to emergency warning level just before 1pm. A fire burning at Paterson is at watch and act level.

In an alert, RFS said the Little L Complex fire was expected to reach the Paynes Crossing, Wollombi and Laguna areas this afternoon.

"If you are in this area, you are at risk," the warning said.

"Seek shelter as the fire front arrives. Protect yourself from the heat of the fire.

"If you are in surrounding areas including Bucketty and Congewai, monitor conditions. Be ready to take action in case the situation changes. Leaving early is your safest option.

"If you are in the areas of Stockyard Creek, Quart Pot Creek, Yallambie and Blaxlands Arm, monitor conditions. Know what you will do if the fire threatens. If your plan is to leave, leaving early is the safest option."

RFS said the Paddock Run fire was burning a large area around Putty, Gardland Valley and Howes Valley - the fire was moving towards Howes Valley and Reedy Creek about 1pm.

"If you are in the area of Howes Valley and Reedy Creek, seek shelter as the fire approaches. Protect yourself from the heat of the fire," the RFS warning said.

"If you are in surrounding areas including Garland Valley and Putty, monitor conditions. Be ready to take action in case conditions change.

If you are in the area of Noisy Point, Boggy Swamp, Wicketty Wees and Clear Farm, monitor the situation. Know what to do if the fire threatens."

A fire burning at Martins Creek Road, Paterson, remains at watch and act level. The fire is spreading in an easterly direction towards the areas of Red Hill and Duns Creek. The RFS advises residents in those areas to closely monitor the conditions.

Cessnock City Council has called off tonight's Carols in the Park because of the bushfire threat and amount of smoke in the area.

The council's general manager Lotta Jackson said it was a difficult decision to cancel the event at short notice but the community's health and safety had to be put first.

"Due to the size and location of these fires a blanket of smoke has settled across Cessnock and ash is falling from the nearby blazes," Ms Jackson said.

"The advice from the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment is for residents to stay inside as much as possible, particularly the elderly, those with lung or heart issues and young children. In light of this we have unfortunately had to make the call to cancel this special community event.

"As a council we have a responsibility to keep our community as safe as possible and reduce potential negative health impacts. "

It comes after the council initially announced on Wednesday it had cancelled the fireworks component of the event.

Following the disappointment of the cancellation of the fireworks display at tonight's Christmas on John Street, sponsors Yancoal in conjunction with Singleton Council will donate the value of the fireworks to the local NSWRFS.

Meanwhile, Singleton Council has cancelled its Christmas on John Street carols night.

The council says the value of its planned fireworks display for its carols event tonight would be donated to the RFS.

The council cancelled the fireworks part of the show, valued at $5500.

Sponsor Yancoal has stumped up the money.

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