Fresh out of a briefing with the NSW RFS, farmer, RFS volunteer and Armidale Regional Council mayor Simon Murray advised residents of Lower Creek to let people know where they were and to monitor the progress of the fires closely.
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"Emergency vehicles are gaining access to Lower Creek, but the road is closed to the general public," he said.
"The road is cut on both the eastern and western sides, but again, are accessible for emergency vehicles.
"The best recommendation is they've got to make a decision whether they stay or not because in both directions if those fires flare up tomorrow, it may restrict any access either way."
He said some council road workers had to be pulled back last night.
"They were clearing the Kempsey Road of fallen timber and rocks and there was fire spotting going over the top of them," he said.
"They had the Road Blocked at Raspberry Road, they had to evacuate that because of fire spotting."
Cr Murray said although it was very hard to predict what would happen if the hot, windy conditions predicted for tomorrow eventuated, he said any evacuation fears some might hold for the city of Armidale were ill founded.
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"Check with the RFS. There is no immediate danger to the city of Armidale and its residents," he said.
"There was an evacuation at Ben Lomond. Police went door knocking on Saturday letting people know that they should plan to evacuate, but that's now ceased and the fires didn't do what they predicted.
"There is no real fire in our immediate western direction. It's on our eastern side with some of the bad fires to the north."
He said the wind was expected to come in from the west, north-west and south-west.
So far the Carrai Creek fire has burnt out 137,000 hectares and has breached containment lines on the northern side, in the Lower Creek area, with fire activity in the Lower Creek and Georges Junction area.
Crews continued working to strengthen containment lines in the areas of Kangaroo Flat Road, Kanangra Vale and Moona Plains. There is fire to the north of Bells Flat and Kangaroo Flat due to the Stockyard Flat fire.
Residents of Lower Creek and Georges Junction and those in the area of Bells Flat and Kangaroo Flat are strongly advised to monitor conditions as burning embers may start spot fires ahead of the main fire front.
Put your bush fire survival plan into action.
Access to the east of Armidale Road is blocked due to fire.
EARLIER, Saturday:
Fires burning in Carrai Creek and Stockyard Flat area, south east of Armidale and north east of Walcha have joined together.
The Carrai Creek fire breached containment lines on the northern side, in the Lower Creek area, on Saturday. It has burnt out more than 120,000 hectares.
The Stockyard Flat fire, which is more than 59,600 hectares in size, remains out of control and is burning in an easterly direction in the Oxley Wild River National Park.
The Rural Fire Service website says the fire has joined the Mines Road fire to the east, as well as the Carrai Creek fire to the north.
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Firefighters are conducting property protection in the area.
The fires have closed roads in the area.
Between Walcha and Bago the Oxley Highway is closed between Brackendale Road and Comboyne Road.
In the Lower Creek area, Kempsey Road is closed between Raspberry Road and Deep Creek.
EARLIER, Friday:
A bushfire burning in the Carrai Creek area is not yet controlled and has breached containment lines on the northern side of the fire in the Lower Creek area.
It is burning in an easterly direction towards Comara. If you are in the area of Lower Creek or Comara, it is too late to leave.
Road access to the east is blocked due to a bush fire.
Seek shelter as the fire impacts to protect yourself from the heat of the fire. Shelter in a solid structure.
EARLIER:
Burning on the eastern side of the Macleay River in the Carrai National Park and Oxley Wild Rivers National Park the fire remains active on the northern side of the fireground in the vicinity of Lower Creek, and Comara.
The southern edge of the fire continues burning in the vicinity of Front Tablelands and Kunderang Brook.
Firefighters will work to hold the fire along the Aspley River and Green Gully Creek.
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Due to remoteness and the rugged terrain containment options are difficult and will take several days to implement. Crews will continue backburning operations as conditions allow.
Residents and landowners in the areas of Fitzroy Tablelands, Lower Creek, Comara, Bellbrook, MacKenzies Creek, Scrubby Creek, Warbro Brook, Moparrabah, Willawarrin and Toorumbee should monitor conditions.
NSW RFS has advised everyone with a bushfire survival plan to know what to do if fire threatens your property.
Continue to stay up to date with the bush fire situation by checking here, listening to your local radio station or by calling the NSW RFS Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737.
If you live in the area, but are away from home, it may not be safe to return to your property.
For information on road closures, check here, and bear in mind roads may be closed without warning.
