Fire crews will work through the night to protect homes from an out-of-control blaze north of Newcastle, following an emergency warning urging people to take shelter or flee.
The Salt Ash fire has burnt through more than 1300 hectares, hitting the communities of Tanilba Bay, Mallabula and Lemon Tree Passage on Saturday night.
"Under these conditions fires will be uncontrollable and move quickly. Flames may burn higher than roof tops," the Rural Fire Service said.
"Embers will be blown ahead of the fire and create spot fires that can threaten earlier than the predicted main fire front. These spot fires can occur up to 4km ahead of the main fire."
The fire is being fanned by winds of around 30km/h, and people have been moved from the BIG4 Koala Shores Port Stephens Holiday Park to the Lemon Tree Passage boat ramp for their safety.
More than 75 bushfire continue to burn across the state, 35 of them uncontained, with three homes and 24 outbuildings destroyed.
All fires except the Salt Ash blaze remain at "advice level".
It comes after helicopter pilot Allan Tull died while waterbombing a fire west of Ulladulla, on the NSW South Coast, on Friday.
It's believed 1994 Kawasaki helicopter's water bucket became stuck in trees before pulling the chopper down.
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