It was the RFS reality check that many had feared ... yesterday (Friday) the community heard the Andersons Creek fire had spotted across the Bellinger River placing the entire valley on alert.
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More than 100 residents crowded into the Thora Fire Shed at 4pm to hear the latest from RFS and NPWS staff.
NPWS Planning Officer Simon Hemer said crews had been trying to contain this fire since it began on November 26 following a lightning strike.
"For a while there it was pulling up and we had it pinned between Andersons and Woods Creek," Mr Hemer said.
"But these conditions are not normal - this is the driest we've ever seen it (160 out of 200) and those wet gullies that used to help us are themselves dry."
He said yesterday's spotting meant the fire was approaching the Horseshoe area "and once it is in there it is a disaster ... with the east/west ridges and steep terrain it could run all the way to the coast."
"This is not easy to pull up - the picture ahead is gloomy and there is no relief in the long range forecast. Management teams are screaming for resources and we are doing the best we can with what we have.
This fire definitely threatens Bellingen - the hospital has been developing an evacuation plan and our advice to people is to remain alert at all times.
- NPWS Simon Hemer
"Messaging about the risk will be updated daily and we ask people to pay attention to the advice - which is if you intend to leave, do so early - don't plan to 'wait and see' and then evacuate."
RFS Incident Controller Stuart Watts said the Fires Near Me app and ABC Radio were the most reliable sources of information but warned that the technology was not fail safe and when the fire comes there would be blackouts and loss of mobile phone coverage.
"You can't rely on the app entirely - make sure you have a battery operated radio and keep it on the ABC at all times," Mr Watts said.
He said resources were stretched with three RFS trucks in Thora to service 200 homes and 63 trucks in the entire Coffs/Bellingen Local Government Areas.
"The more you do to make your home less combustible the better for every one."
When asked about access in Darkwood with so many wooden bridges he said that the loss of bridges would be expected creating "huge problems for transport".
He also warned that choosing to stay was something one had to be mentally prepared for:
"It is really tough to stay - it is raining embers, it is dark, it is noisy, there is running fire all around - you need to mentally prepare yourself and if you don't think you can, then leave - and tell others when you do.
"And if you leave then registering with the Red Cross Reunite site is very important so that family and friends can find you and know you are safe."
As the meeting drew to a close Mr Hemer painted the long-term picture - of a fire that will pulse and move, of a situation that will continue into next year, of communities (all of us) who will be stressed and fatigued.
"This will always be looming - look after yourselves and each other," Mr Hemer said.
Principal of Orama Public School, Katherine Sutherland added that it was important to keep children calm and keep life as normal as possible.
"Reassure your kids - and make sure you go to the Thora Christmas party or the Bellingen Youth Orchestra concert tomorrow (Saturday) ... we need to stick together and spend time together," Ms Sutherland said.
Also making the news:
Ute Schulenberg
Journalism was always my plan but plans being what they are, I did not get to realise it until my early 40s ... and have loved every minute since. For me community journalism is the most intimate and honest place to be in this field - telling the stories of people I live with, side-by-side, every day. It is an honour.
Journalism was always my plan but plans being what they are, I did not get to realise it until my early 40s ... and have loved every minute since. For me community journalism is the most intimate and honest place to be in this field - telling the stories of people I live with, side-by-side, every day. It is an honour.
