A shire wide alert has been issued for worsening conditions expected tomorrow (Tuesday) with the fire danger rating now put at 'catastrophic'.
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The mayor, Rhonda Hoban, said that residents who attended community briefings today were told that if they lived in a rural area near trees, on a ridge or in a gully, they should leave and leave early.
"We are telling people to come and spend the day in Macksville, Nambucca Heads or Scotts Head, and for those further south, Kempsey has also been nominated as a safe zone," Cr Hoban said.
She said to 'leave early' warning is being issued because there is every possibility that shire roads and the Pacific Highway will be closed, and that all communications, including mobiles, will be lost.
The nominated evacuation centre for the shire is the Nambucca Heads Community Centre on Ridge St, "which is considered the safest place in the shire".
"Go there if you have nowhere else to go or you are unable to return home."
It is being suggested that those from rural areas stay with family or friends overnight and that anyone who does leave, should notify others of their whereabouts and also again when they have arrived safely.
"The message from the RFS was blunt: with forecast winds and smoke, there will be no helicopters or planes and if anyone decides to defend, they cannot rely on assistance when they ring Triple 0."
Put lives first and leave early
- Rural Fire Service
Cr Hoban said residents should be aware that under such conditions fires can create their own weather conditions with lightning strikes and spot fires starting new fires in previously unaffected areas.
The forecast winds are expected to fan fires in the south of the shire in the early part of the day, around Eungai, with an afternoon southerly 'buster' turning things around and pushing fire fronts northwards.
Animal evacuation:
Livestock can be transported to the Macksville Showgrounds for safety with many horse owners having already taken this advice.
When the Guardian News dropped in this afternoon, there were already 29 horses in residence at the stables.
Newee Creek's Alea Stuart has brought her two horses in "just to be on the safe side".
"It is scary - we want to be responsible and put the horses' welfare first," Alea said.
Her grandmother Prue Cooper said they had been overwhelmed by the support offered, especially the assistance of Rebecca Shepherd, who floated the horses for the family.
Sharon Deely had brought 11 horses from Allgomera, which was quite and effort and required a number of trips with three floats.
"This is the safest place we could think of - I have been at my neighbour's place since Friday and I just wanted to get out," Sharon said.
Over at the poultry pavilion, stock feed (organised by the Local Land Services) was being unloaded for the cats, dogs and poultry that had been brought in for safe keeping.
Fodder is expected to be delivered tomorrow, however registration is necessary in order to be able to receive this assistance - please phone 1800 814 647.