Bushfire forces closure of Newcastle Airport

By Sarah Muller, Georgina Mitchell, Miriam Webber
Updated January 26 2018 - 9:38am, first published January 15 2018 - 8:08am
Masonite Rd Tomago bushfire. Pic shows a water bombing helicopter at work over the fire. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers MMH
Masonite Rd Tomago bushfire. Pic shows a water bombing helicopter at work over the fire. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers MMH
Bushfire threatening homes, property and livestock between Tomago and Williamtown. Picture shows fire fighters at a property along Cabbage Tree Road, Williamtown.
Bushfire threatening homes, property and livestock between Tomago and Williamtown. Picture shows fire fighters at a property along Cabbage Tree Road, Williamtown.

A large bushfire burning near Newcastle, which forced the city's airport to close and caused residents to shelter in their homes, was downgraded in severity to "watch and act" on Sunday evening.