Firefighters, air tanker ease Hunter fire

About 200 firefighters will continue to battle a bushfire burning in the Port Stephens area, north of Newcastle.

The bushfire has burnt more than 2200 hectares of land at Tomago, Williamtown, Raymond Terrace and Campvale, with the RFS downgrading the warning from emergency to watch and act on Sunday evening.

The large air tanker Nancy Bird assisted crews to help combat the fire which continues to burn near homes on Wade Close at Campvale.

Residents are urged to monitor the situation, prepare their bushfire survival plan and take advice from firefighters on the ground.

Crews will remain on the ground overnight as they work to contain the fire ahead of hot conditions forecast this week, the RFS says.

The strong southerly winds pushed the fire north of Newcastle Airport, forcing the closure of the airport on Sunday afternoon.

The airport is expected to reopen as normal on Monday.

Residents of the nearby town of Medowie have been warned to monitor conditions and be aware of falling ash and embers in the area.

"Southerly winds are going to get quite strong into the evening," an RFS spokesman told AAP on Sunday.