BY IAN CROUCH

Quick work by Rural Fire Service crews has stopped a bush fire from reaching homes at Mallabula early Wednesday.

Crews from Medowie, Tlligerry and Williamtown/Salt Ash were called to Fairlands Road at about 4.30am to find an area of bush at the Tilligerry Board Walk on fire.

They took about an hour to bring the blaze under control, with flame heights reaching 3 metres before it was finally extinguished at daybreak.

The fire burnt through about half a hectare.

Meanwhile firefighters have extinguished three grass fires which broke out off Settlers Boulevard at Chisholm at about 4.30pm on Tuesday.

Newcastle Fire Command says no properties were under threat.

The fire burnt through about a hectare before it was put out just before 6.00pm.

RFS Crews from Medowie, Tilligery, and Willamtown/Salt Ash tackled the blaze at Mallabula. Picture: Medowie RFS