Firefighters have ‘upper hand’ with bushfire burning near Grafton in northern NSW

A bushfire continues to burn next to a major highway in northern NSW, but firefighters say they now have the upper hand.

Firefighters have gained the upper hand with a bushfire burning in northern New South Wales, which closed a major road for several hours.

The NSW Rural Fire Service said the bushfire was burning in the Glenfield State Forest, 18 kilometres southeast of Grafton.

“Firefighters, with the support of water bombing aircraft, have the upper hand on the fire,” the RFS tweeted on Monday afternoon.

Crews were extinguishing fire along the side of the Pacific Highway and assessing burnt trees.

The road is now open in both directions but with some lane closures.

A watch and act alert earlier issued to residents in the area of Wells Crossing and Franklins Road was downgraded about 5pm.

An RFS spokesman said the fire burnt through at least 280 hectares of land.

He said 20 fire crews, assisted by water bombing aircraft, were involved in bringing it under control.

ADVICE: Franklins Rd, Glenugie Fire. Firefighters with the support of water bombing aircraft have the upper hand on the fire burning approx 18km sth of Grafton. The Pacific Hwy remains closed as crews extinguish the fire along the roadside and assess fire affected trees. #NSWRFS pic.twitter.com/xzSe57l1VP

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) November 23, 2020