Firefighters battling blaze north of Newcastle on Friday have downgraded the alert level despite windy conditions and severe turbulence making the job difficult for ground and air crews.

The Rural Fire Service is urging residents to remain vigilant and monitor conditions as the fire continues to burn uncontained on the southern side.

However, the alert level has been downgraded to Advice as of 8pm Friday after conditions eased throughout the afternoon.

The fire has now burnt through more than 1600 hectares in bushland between Campvale and Salt Ash, Port Stephens.