![The Lindfield Park Road fire is still burning. Photo: Sancrox/Thrumster Rural Fire Brigade. The Lindfield Park Road fire is still burning. Photo: Sancrox/Thrumster Rural Fire Brigade.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/9MrYVhbNHLAe2WMhqphzDG/82e6622b-8d61-4f0f-9bb3-184c218b6261.jpg/r0_0_2048_1506_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
A bush fire near a Port Macquarie driving range is still burning, and caused traffic problems near the base hospital this morning, Friday July 19.
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The blaze broke out yesterday, (Thursday July 18) near the Port Macquarie Driving Range and Mini Golf on Lindfield Park Road, beside the Oxley Highway.
The bush fire is across 34 hectares and is being controlled.
Crews from Sancrox/Thrumster Rural Fire Brigade were among those at the scene from noon on Thursday.
![Photo courtesy of Sancrox/Thrumster Rural Fire Brigade. Photo courtesy of Sancrox/Thrumster Rural Fire Brigade.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/9MrYVhbNHLAe2WMhqphzDG/9eeff54c-b84c-4362-b031-4dd7f96f792c.jpg/r0_0_720_960_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
They said that even though it is July, this fire spread unbelievably quickly over traditionally swampy areas that with the lack of rain are now very dry. Access to control the fire is very limited in the area it is burning.
"We had 'crown' fires at times, which is where the fire climbs trees and moves through the canopy of the forest, fire behaviour that is normally only seen in much worse conditions during summer," said a spokesperson.
![The scene at Port Macquarie Airport yesterday. Photo courtesy of Sancrox/Thrumster Rural Fire Brigade. The scene at Port Macquarie Airport yesterday. Photo courtesy of Sancrox/Thrumster Rural Fire Brigade.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/9MrYVhbNHLAe2WMhqphzDG/b70901ee-4e7d-4f20-a18c-2d3be7f00607.jpg/r0_180_818_899_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The smoke could be seen from Port Macquarie airport yesterday.
The Oxley Highway between the base hospital roundabout and the donut was closed from 4am this morning (Friday) until around 9am, causing traffic congestion. Drivers heading to Wauchope and beyond had to find alternative routes.
![The fire is in an area which is normally swampy, but the dry weather meant it spread incredibly quickly. Photo courtesy of Sancrox/Thrumster Fire Brigade. The fire is in an area which is normally swampy, but the dry weather meant it spread incredibly quickly. Photo courtesy of Sancrox/Thrumster Fire Brigade.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/9MrYVhbNHLAe2WMhqphzDG/44842399-df1c-4c70-a4d4-0239c854ac0d.jpg/r0_0_1536_1082_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
To stay up to date with the situation, please download the Fires Near Me App, or visitwww.rfs.nsw.gov.au
Remember, now is the time to start thinking about preparing your property for the summer ahead. Go to www.myfireplan.com.au
A spokesperson for Fire & Rescue Port Macquarie said people in the Port Macquarie area can expect more smoke over the weekend.
![Firefighters are continuing to tackle the blaze near the Oxley Highway. Photo courtesy of Sancrox/Thrumster Rural Fire Brigade. Firefighters are continuing to tackle the blaze near the Oxley Highway. Photo courtesy of Sancrox/Thrumster Rural Fire Brigade.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/9MrYVhbNHLAe2WMhqphzDG/63ccd5e8-86bc-44e9-abb4-c80950979ca8.jpg/r0_0_720_960_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Meanwhile the Forestry Corporation of NSW are carrying out a hazard reduction fire, which is under control, over 100 hectares at Bago, eight kilometres south of Wauchope.
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