A BUSHFIRE forced the cancellation of trains between Morisset and Wyong on Friday afternoon when flames crossed the tracks near Stockdale Street.
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Wyee Road was also closed for a short period.
The fire sent a large plume of smoke into the sky and burned over five hectares, but did not threaten properties, a spokesperson for the Rural Fire Service (RFS) said.
Drivers on the M1 Pacific Motorway were urged to exercise caution as the smoke affected visability, and posed a distraction.
Buses were organised to convey rail passengers through the area due to the closure of the train line.
Multiple fire crews from NSW RRFS and Fire and Rescue NSW were alerted and responded about 3pm.
Among them was Cooranbong Rural Fire Brigade.
“We'd like to extend a huge thank you to each of the attending brigades - without their assistance the expediency of which the fire was contained would not have been as prompt,” a spokesperson for the brigade said.
“Our Category 1 (appliance) was in the field from the start of the incident well into the night, only being relieved after a strike team from NSW Rural Fire Service, Gosford District, arrived on scene to take over from the exhausted crews to continue working through the night.”
An increase in smoke and fire activity throughout the night was caused by crews completed a back burn to ensure containment of the fire.
A total fire ban remains in place for the Hunter.
- Visit rfs.nsw.gov.au/fnm for bushfire information.